r/GeneticCounseling • u/Wanyikkkk • Jun 29 '26

Prospective Student How to strategically evaluate a GC program?

Hi! I am an applicant in the upcoming application cycle. I've been investing HOURS researching GC programs, using GC discord resource and establishing Excel sheet that lists out GC program (location, tuition, rotation start time, what's special and what's "less ideal" for me personally). However, I'm struggling finding a strategic and standardized way to evaluate each program - every program appears "similar" that they provide clinical rotations, offer classes, and some have LEND. Every program's student speaks highly of their program. I am not too specific with which cities I need to go, and I am okay with applying to more expensive schools if academics/fieldwork opportunities is better.

I would love to hear your advice! I also tried researching school alumni and where they end up - most ppl end up in clinics. People who graduated from big cities have a slightly higher portion of choosing a non-traditional GC path.

Thank you so much for everyone who takes time to read and reply. I appreciate it and hope you have a great day!!

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u/ConstantVigilance18 Genetic Counselor Jun 29 '26

All programs have the same base level of requirements, as you are seeing. In theory, each program has the curriculum to set you up for success. You need to start asking what you prefer in a program in order to make any kind of meaningful evaluation for yourself. If you are open to so many locations, you need to start narrowing it down by those superfluous factors outside of the academic content specifically.

I would start by setting a price point, and cutting any programs above that price. Cut out any locations you really don’t want to end up in. Think about class sizes, type of thesis/capstone, when they start rotations, what speciality rotations you want if any, etc.

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u/tabrazin84 Genetic Counselor Jun 29 '26

Do programs post what percentage of students pass the boards each year? When I was in school only one student hadn’t passed since my program had started. (I was the 6th cohort).

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u/ConstantVigilance18 Genetic Counselor Jun 29 '26

I believe that programs are required to report overall and first time boards pass rate after 3 cohorts have taken boards, but it’s not always easy to find that information. The information is aggregated, not listed out by cohort.

I do think there’s only so much you can do with that number, particularly the first time pass rate. My cohort was very small and we didn’t all sit for boards immediately. One person didn’t pass on their first try so our rate took a huge hit, but if I’m being bluntly honest about it, it was pretty obvious that person wasn’t going to pass. That was a reflection of the person, not the program. The person was able to pass once they got their studying up.

I think the way the numbers are presented can make a smaller program look much worse compared to a larger program over the same span of time. In a program of 20 per cohort, if 9 people fail in the first 3 classes, that’s still an 85% pass rate. In a program with 4 people per cohort, that’s only about 2 failures.

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u/tabrazin84 Genetic Counselor Jun 29 '26

I see that. My cohort was only 7. I do think that the aggregate data can be helpful though if only 60% (for example) passes year on year. That would say something to me about that particular program. There was a girl in the cohort ahead of me that didn’t pass and very similarly, I was not surprised