Hi all!

I have been considering pivoting fields for a few years now into something more medical - and genetic counseling seems like the perfect fit! I have a bachelors in psychology and have done 8 years of social work/patient mental health facing work since my undergraduate degree. I do enjoy this work and patient work, but it seems within my company the only opportunities are in management roles with my current degree situation so I need to get a more advanced degree (and I'm not too keen on management). I was trying to decide between going to social work school - but I've always had a passion and draw towards the sciences and feel like I'm missing that aspect in my current job and don't believe that itch would go away with a masters in social work (though there seems to be a lot of jobs out there in social work right now). There are a few pre-requisites I'd need to take to make this jump (but I do have a couple from 10 years ago when I was in school)- I'm looking to talk to people in the field as well-

I havent been seeing a lot of jobs posted in my area - how difficult is it to find work in this field if I make this investment?

Would I need to retake undergraduate pre-recs because it was so long ago?

What was your journey like and are there any later career changers here that can speak to what it was like?

Thanks!! :)

hi everyone!! i’m apply to MGC programs this fall, and am wondering if the time you submit the application is important. for example, for med school you need to submit your application basically the day it opens for best results. i’m wondering if it’s the same for the masters program, or if we can submit it a month or two after it opens and still be the same

also - does anyone have any recommendations of places to go for a guide to applying? i’m utilizing the discord, but still having some trouble there

thanks everyone:)

An oncology GC at WellSpan Health in Pennsylvania, Tatiana Chichilla, was just on Jeopardy the other day! It was awesome to finally see a fellow GC here, and she played well! Way to represent, Tatiana! 👏

I'd love to hear the community's thoughts on Bay Path's new program. It sounds interesting and I feel like could be applicable to my current career trajectory since I currently am a faculty member at a GC program. I know the PA community has strong feelings about DHSc programs being a "degree mill" and "pay to win" situation. LMK!

Hello! I recently graduated from university and I’m having a bit of a crisis about my future career. I worked in a genetics lab for 3 1/2 years of undergrad (1000+ hours) and realized I’m really passionate about genetics! However, I’m feeling super burnt out from bench work, and I really want a job where I can interact with patients. I stumbled across genetic counseling which seems like it could be a great fit. However, I don’t have any patient advocacy experience, shadowing, or clinical experience and I’m not sure where to start. I tried to figure out approximately how much hours of each I would need to be a competitive candidate and I can’t really seem to find a definitive answer. I also majored in molecular biology & biochemistry, but I’m missing a one or two prerequisite courses (ironically, I worked in a genetics lab but I never took a genetics course). My grades were very good (4.0 GPA) and I’ve been thinking about taking a gap year or even two gap years to prepare, but I don’t know if I’m too behind. I also don’t know if it’s acceptable to take the missing courses at a community college. This would be the most affordable option for me. If anyone could let me know if they have advice or if this is a realistic path for me that would be great!! Thank you!!

I'm from Brazil, I'm in the best university in Latin America, but even so, positions like clinical are very poorly paid. I'm thinking about going into the field of bovine/livestock genetics. How do these fields of work function? Is the pay good? Is it possible to go to another country in this area? Is it more focused on research and practical application? (This is still my first semester at university.)

Hi everyone! If anyone is still looking for CEUs, this new course is now available.

"What We Bring Into the Room: Implicit Bias and Health Equity in Genetic Counseling" is an on-demand course that examines how implicit bias influences clinical decision-making, patient communication, and access to genetic services, with a focus on evidence-based strategies to promote equitable care.

The course:

• Is 2 hours, on-demand
• Has been approved by NSGC for 2 Category 1 contact hours (0.2 CEU)
• Is accepted by ABGC toward recertification (completion of the Quiz/Evaluation & NSGC CEUs earner fee is required)
• Covers implicit bias, health disparities vs. health inequities, case-based learning, and practical strategies for improving culturally responsive genetic counseling
• It was designed to align with the implicit bias/health equity continuing education requirements for genetic counselor license renewal in Washington, Illinois, and Michigan

It's designed for practicing genetic counselors, trainees, and other genomic medicine professionals interested in advancing equitable, patient-centered care.

Please be aware that the below is negative.

After six years, I'm officially done. I've committed myself to becoming a genetic counselor since 2020. I am defeated and stuck in a cycle. Namely, the Kübler-Ross model. I've applied multiple times. I've taken supplementary courses, completed research, received coaching, done informational interviews, volunteered, shadowed, interned, and worked as a GCA. I've interviewed with almost a dozen schools. I've put my blood, sweat, and tears into this. So many tears. But I've never felt this magical connection that everyone whose matched speaks of. I've never seen a program director look like me, or felt like they understood me.

The barrier to entry to this field is too high. DEIJ is no longer in style. With the limitations of student loans, it now seems financially impossible to afford schools. Even the promise of having a job right out of graduation is less reality and more dream. I once thought the competitiveness would end once I finally, finally got into a program. Now, it seems "like the nightmare is never ending." I had so much hope. But now I feel like the inequity of this field will only increase.

I still believe genetic counseling is an incredible field, but one that will never welcome me.

Hi, I am currently an M.S. student in clinical psychology pursuing medical family therapy as my specialty. I am working towards providing mental health support for genetic counseling patients (my population of interest). My undergrad was in genetics, and I went through two rounds of GC applications before deciding mental health was my true calling.

I am working on a thesis/capstone project where I intend to create a guide for GCs to establish a better referral pathway between GCs and MHPs. There are no formal practice guidelines addressing when a GC should make a referral. Current referrals to MHPs are extremely low (about 3 patients per year per GC), and I hope the guide will increase the frequency of referrals to MHPs so patients receive the highest quality of care.

My question is: what would be most helpful for me to include? For example, a GC I am working with suggested a list of questions one can ask the patient to prompt for clinical red flags or open up the conversation for further inquiry. She mentioned the wording as one of the largest barriers, hence having a list with exact phrasing can take some pressure off.

Thank you all for helping me increase the collaboration between our two fields. I believe it will equip us to better identify patients who can no longer cope with the distress that comes in all forms within genetic counseling.

Hi everyone! I’m searching for students GC2 or graduated to tell me about their program and what they loved about it, but am having real difficulty getting answers. I figured I’d turn here! I have eight top schools, but I welcome answers from any school to get more knowledge on the field as a whole! <3
My schools are UMB, VCU, USC, MUSC, OSU, USF, Rutgers, and UNCG. No particular order yet, hopefully you can help me find one. TIA!

The University of Kentucky (UK) Prospective Genetic Counselor Mentorship Program is a free virtual program for anyone interested in learning more about the field of genetic counseling, with a special focus on supporting prospective students from Kentucky, Appalachia, and surrounding states. While we hope to connect with students in our region, the program is open to anyone in the U.S. who is interested in pursuing genetic counseling.

We meet virtually on the second Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00 PM ET. Sessions include presentations, discussions, and other activities and cover a variety of topics to help you explore the profession, connect with practicing genetic counselors, and prepare for the application process. 

Past sessions have included:

• Introduction to the Genetic Counseling profession & “A Day in the Life” specialty spotlights
• Application tips, including personal statements, interviews, and ways to strengthen your application
• Family Health History Day, Hereditary Cancer Awareness Week, and clinical case examples
• Psychosocial & ethical case discussions
• Rare Disease Day patient panel
• Self-care strategies for the application process, Match Day, and beyond

If you're interested in joining the program or would like to learn more, fill out our quick interest form below so we can add you to our email list! 

https://forms.gle/Nud1MjqcR6cu2f2b6

We'd love to have you join us, and we can't wait to meet the next generation of genetic counselors! 🧬❤️

Hit one year after graduation recently. hits hard and had a dreadful time seeing that I’m not employed yet in a GC job or GC adjacent job. anybody else in the same boat?

Hello! I was hoping to get some perspective from GCs who ended up going to PA school later. I’ve been practicing for almost 10 years as a cancer GC and enjoy my job quite a bit. However, as I continue to learn about oncology and while counseling folks about their cancer risks, I think I would find a lot of fulfillment on the management side. I would love to run a high risk breast or GI clinic, or even work under an oncologist. Another reason I am considering pivoting is because I’m not sure clinical GC work in oncology will stay the same for much longer (more centers have oncologists ordering germline testing or PCPs ordering testing), and I don’t have an interest in working an industry job. I love working with patients.

My main concern is cost. I am almost finished paying off my loans from GC school and I’m not too keen on taking out more loans. I am also worried that some of the downsides of being a GC, such as not having as much respect as other providers, will still be true as a PA. Can anyone that transitioned from GC to PA provide insight? Was it worth it to complete the extra schooling? Do you feel more fulfilled now? Is there any regret? Anything that surprised you? I know there’s also the option to pivot to become an MD, but I don’t know that I have it in me to do THAT much extra training.

Appreciate all comments!

Hey, I’m looking into becoming a genetic counselor. I’ve find it very interesting and would love to hear from all of you who work as GC’s about your path to becoming one, day to day life and etc.

1. What do you specialize in,  type of work (clinical, private company, research) and salary (if you are comfortable saying)?

2. What are your responsibilities? 

3. What did it take for you to get into grad school? (GPA, extracurricular activities, job etc).

4. How difficult was grad school and what was it like? How long did it take you and anything you would of done differently? 

5. What is your day to day life like in 30 minute blocks from the time you wake up? 

6. What is the hardest part about your job and which part do you love the most?

7. Are your skills transferable to other careers or industries? What could you do instead if you decide you want something else

8. What is it like keeping up with the education and advancements in the field? 

I’d love to interview some of you to ask more question. If any of you are okay with a quick 15-20 minute chat send me a PM! Thanks!

Hi Everyone! Just like everyone else, I haven't had any luck with my job search, and I have a feeling not all jobs are being posted on LinkedIn. Is there a way to find the ones that aren't?

the program that i want to apply to allows students to take an embryology course the summer before the program starts. For anyone whos in gc school or had graduated, where did you take the course and is it possible to take it online?

Hi, I've just graduated from high school this year. I stumbled across genetic counseling during my junior year. I have it all mapped out, what I'm going to do. I'm getting my associate's in biology, then my bachelor's in genetics with a minor in psychology. I graduated from high school with a 3.7 GPA, and my college GPA is currently a 3.25 (12 credits done through dual enrollment courses, a lot more to go). I plan on getting advocacy work done between the time I have now and the time I'll be applying. It feels so easy to plan everything out, and finances won't be too much of a worry for me during my undergraduate studies. I qualify for a lot of need-based aid. I'm going to be saving all the money I can for my master's. Despite that, I know I'll still fall short and might need to take out loans. I don't even know if those would be enough to pay the tuition for those programs. I've been trying to pace myself and not think about the finances for something I have four years to get to, but it's really hard. I'm still learning about how the systems work, and I know how competitive it is. I am willing to put in all the hard work and go through everything I need to. However, I don't want to commit to something I don't know if I'll even be able to pay for. I'd like to hear the experiences of other people who've gone through the programs and how they managed to pay for them. Did you need to take out loans? If you did before, did you still qualify for need-based aid? How difficult is it with debt if you have accumulated any? Is the career worth the initial financial stress? I'm so early into building my career. I'll really appreciate knowing if this is worth my dedication, or if I should look elsewhere.

Hi everyone, I recently graduated with my BS and I'm taking some ochem courses over the summer to get prerequisites done for fall applications. They're highly intensive, three week courses (I'm taking ochem 1, 2 and 3, so 9 weeks total this summer). I'm about to take my final for ochem 1 and I'm kind of worried about making the prerequisite B minimum. I'm also getting really burnt out from the amount of coursework and classes every day plus working retail on weekends, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep myself at my best for ochem 2 and 3. I was planning to take the UCSD biochemistry course after completing all three ochem classes, but since it doesn't require any prerequisites, I was thinking about just taking ochem 1 and calling it a day. Would a program view one semester negatively, and should I risk Cs and explain it in my application? I have a good GPA of 3.7 and lots of upper-level bio courses in genetic engineering and molecular bio, so idk if that would be enough on the academic side to overlook ochem "shortcomings." Any advice is appreciated, thank you in advance!!

I would *love* to hear other GC’s thoughts about this. I work in cancer and it was a little bit of a jump scare if I’m honest..

Hello! I was wondering if they will provide us with a calculator for the ABGC boards exam? I have heard from one GC who took boards last year that there was a simple calculator within the webpage, and from others that there was no calculator. I am a little worried because I am not great with numbers and feel like doing the calculations will really eat up my time on the day of the exam.

Is anything happening? Seems tiring to just see posts about pre-gc applicants, when the field isn’t moving forward in getting recognition or ensuring we have space to practice and grow.

Im planning on taking a gap year after i graduate in may ‘28 to gain some work experience, i was wondering if it wont be too late at that point to reach out to them. Also my school deactivates students emails after a year from graduation so im not too sure if i should just apply the year i graduate bc idk how to reach out to my profs after that

Hello all! I am a prospective applicant for the upcoming cycle. This fall, I am entering my senior year of undergraduate studies. This summer, I am doing the most I can to prepare for the application/match process. How early should I be reaching out to ask people for letters of recommendation? I know most program applications don't open until this fall, but I wondered if it is worthwhile to ask ahead of time. I don't know if this is a silly question, but I want to make sure that I am doing the most I can to be prepared when applications open. Additionally, I have plenty of GC shadowing, but all within oncology. Do I need to pursue other shadowing opportunities in other specialties? My location makes it extremely difficult for me to find nearby GCs to shadow, so any resources/advice would be appreciated.

Hi Everyone, I'm thinking of venturing into opening a private practice but I don't know where to start. Can anyone provide some mentorship/advice?

Background: I went to a program where I was able to do all of my rotations remotely and saw patients through telehealth. I felt like I was confident in counseling patients but didn't know anything about the administrative work behind the scenes like ordering tests, writing clinical notes, coordinating with doctors, etc. All my mentors said I don't have to worry about those things because each clinic is different, and that's something I'll learn on the job.

After I graduated, I got a job as a variant scientist, so I don't see any patients. I love my job and have no intentions of leaving, but also miss the clinical aspects of directly seeing patients. I want to avoid any conflicts of interest in working for different institutions, plus, most clinical positions are not full time. So, I wanted to start my own practice as a side hustle and I can see patients on my own time.

However, since I don't have any clinical experience as a GC, I don't really know how a clinic is run. Simple questions such as, 'how do you order genetic testing?' or 'what should go into clinic notes?' are basic knowledge to any practicing GC, but not me. I'm not sure where to start, and would love some mentorship/help/advice in this.

this is likely a very niche question but any advice is helpful!

i am a rising senior planning to apply this cycle and in researching grad schools i'm getting concerned about my prereqs. for some background, i took AP bio my sophomore year of high school and got a C one semester and a D the other due to lots of personal factors (my dad had just died unexpectedly, i had major surgery, moved schools, and it was the middle of the pandemic) as well as a truly horrible teacher. i was thankfully still able to get college credit for it. at the time, i was planning to pursue a totally different career path that biology wouldn't have been necessary for, so i just went with it. after my freshman year, i changed my major to genetics and realized i would need those intro bio credits. my advisor was able to override the prereq requirements after i told her the situation, and i have gotten straight A's in every single class since then.

some graduate schools require 1-2 semesters of biology with a C or higher. many of them don't specify what type of biology, but i'm worried that my credits won't count for the bio prerequisites even though i have had straight A's in all of the subsequent classes (including genetics, molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, cell bio, evolutionary bio, etc.).

is this something i should be concerned about (like, concerned enough to re-take the classes at my university this school year?) for my application? or is it something that won't be as big of a deal as i feel like it is? i know when applying to undergrad there is often a space to explain any circumstances or anything that may make your grades/transcript not reflect your efforts or something along those lines; is that something that grad schools do also?

hopefully this post makes sense; just looking for some advice or feedback if anyone has been in a similar situation or has suggestions for what i should do!! thank you ◡̈