ADMISSIONS PROCESS

The application and fees for admission for the fall of 2010 are due by January 15, 2010. We believe that it is very important for applicants to have the opportunity to meet with faculty and students, gather first-hand knowledge about our Genetic Counseling Program, and explore the University and the city of Ann Arbor. Thus we invite qualified applicants for daylong on-site interviews that are generally scheduled in March and April. The visit includes interviews with the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Department of Human Genetics Faculty, supervising genetic counselors, and current students. Upon completion of all interviews the Admissions Committee selects up to six applicants for offers on admission. These offers are announced in late April on a universal offer date determined each year by the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors. In 2010 this will occur on April 23rd.

Offers to interview are based upon review of multiple sources of information pertaining to an applicant's knowledge, skills, and ability. This includes consideration of: undergraduate cumulative grade point, course work in science (including biochemistry, human genetics and statistics) and non-science classes, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, advocacy experience, work experience, and written responses to essay questions. We are interested in applicants with a balanced profile; therefore, we do not view any single area of performance in isolation. The use of multiple criteria helps to ensure that there is no disadvantage to applicants for whom English is not a first language or to those who are returning to school. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted in mid-to-late February.

INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants to the Genetic Counseling Program should submit their application online through the Rackham Graduate School. The online application will be available beginning in late August at:

https://apply.embark.com/Grad/Umich/Rackham/ProgramA/

Please contact the Assistant Program Director Monica Marvin if any questions arise regarding the online application

Rackham Graduate School Application

Please complete the entire application as instructed on the Rackham Website. In the preliminary information, for question 4, select Human Genetics MS-Genetic Counseling from the drop down menu. The program code for your Rackham application is 00237. Listed below are additional instructions specific to the Genetic Counseling Program.

Page 1: Complete as requested

Page 2: Confirm Intended Graduate Program appears as "Human Genetics MS-Genetics Counseling. Complete as requested. Note: Transcripts will be uploaded on Pages 8,9, and 10.

if you are applying for the Dual Degree Program with Genetic Counseling and Public Health, please answer yes to the question regarding applying to a dual degree program and choose public health from the drop down menu. You will ALSO need to submit a separate application to the school of public health.

Page 3: Complete as requested. When entering recommendations, please note that we require three letters of recommendation. Be sure to register your recommenders by clicking at the appropriate place at the very bottom of the page. The individuals submitting your recommendations should be strongly encouraged to submit letters on your behalf, in addition to completing the form they receive from Rackham. A supervisor from your advocacy experience must write one letter. The other letters may be from anyone who can comment on your academic, employment or volunteer experience. If for some reason it is not possible to get a letter related to your advocacy experience, please submit an explanation that clarifies why your advocacy supervisor did not write a letter. Such an explanation can be submitted on page 11 of the online application.

Page 4: Complete as requested

Page 5: Statement of purpose

Please write responses to the following three questions. Your responses to questions one and two can be answered individually or in one comprehensive essay. In either format, your answer to the first two questions should not exceed 1000 words in total. Your answers should be uploaded into the online applications as directed.

Page 6: Please respond to the following question, specifically addressing graduate training in genetic counseling. Your personal statement should be limited to 500 words. Your response should be uploaded into the online application as directed.

How have your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan? This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion on the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.

Page 7: Upload a copy of your curriculum vitae or resume as directed.

Page 8, 9, and 10: To expedite the processing of your online application, upload an electronic image of your transcript(s). The admission committee can make a decision based upon your submission of an electronic transcript. If you have trouble uploading your transcript as a PDF document, please contact the Assistant Program Director, Monica Marvin at (734) 647-7399 or Embark at 1-415-615-1805.

In addition, all applicants must mail official academic records/transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions to the Rackham Graduate School.

Rackham Graduate School
Attn: Transcripts/U-M ID#(if known) OR Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
915 E. Washington Street
Ann Arbor MI 48109-1070
USA

Page 11: If you've had an interesting, challenging, or significant personal experience that is not brought out in your application, please describe this information here. The admissions committee will spend a great deal of time and care reviewing each application; it is worth your time to let them know who you are, what you've done, and what you hope to do. In addition you may use this space to include any additional information about your application that you believe the Admissions Committee should know.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

GRE scores: GRE scores should be forwarded to the University of Michigan Genetic Counseling Program, using institution code 1839 and the department code 0210 on your GRE distribution request. We require the General GRE (verbal, analytical, and quantitative). GRE scores must be no more than five years old.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

*All materials must be submitted by January 15, 2010

Complete online Rackham Graduate School Application, including:

• Application Form, pages 1 through 11


• Register three individuals to submit letters of recommendation (page 3 of application or #5 from the sidebar of the application, "recommendations"). One letter should be from your advocacy experience


• Statement of Purpose (3 essay questions on page 5 of application)


• Personal Statement (page 6 of application)


• Upload Curriculum Vitae or Resume (page 7 of application)


• Upload all transcripts electronically (pages 8, 9, and 10 of application)


• Submit official copies of your transcript(s) to Rackham Graduate School


• Additional Information (optional-page 11 of application)

Submit your general GRE scores using institution code 1839 and department code 0210 on your GRE distribution request

Submit application fees to Rackham Graduate School

ALL MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JANUARY 15, 2010

FAQ

What is the University of Michigan looking for in a successful candidate?

We might be looking for you. We are looking for applicants who are balanced in their academic preparedness, (GREs, GPA and transcripts), have had an appropriate advocacy experience, and who can share some of themselves and their life experiences in responding to the essay questions. An applicant who is exceptionally strong in one area is not at any advantage and a non-traditional academic experience that might include exploring other majors, working, delaying graduation, repeating a course, or other experiences is not a disadvantage. Returning or foreign students are welcomed. We do not require a minimum GPA or GRE scores. However in the past successful applicants have generally scored on average (considering all 3 tests) at greater than the 50th percentile on the GRE. If you’ve performed poorly in a particular academic area, tell us about it. If you’ve had an interesting, challenging, or significant personal experience that is not brought out in your application, please include this information in the additional information section of the Rackham application. The admissions committee will spend a great deal of time and care reviewing each application; it is worth your time to let them know who you are, what you’ve done, and what you hope to do.

Whom should I ask to wrtie letters of recommendation?

Two of the three letters of recommendation should provide input from people in responsible positions who can comment on your academic, employment, or volunteer performance, character and interests. For undergraduates this often means professors, academic advisors, or employers. The third letter must be written by someone who is able to assess your advocacy experience. Letters from people who really know you, rather than from people who have impressive titles, are the most valuable. If you have been out of school for several years it may be more appropriate for your letters to come from individuals who know you now, rather than from college professors who will be less acquainted with your work and activities since graduation.

What sort of advocacy experience is Michigan looking for?

This experience can cover a broad range of undertakings, since different communities provide access to different advocacy opportunities. Overall, the experience should provide you with: 1) training in interviewing, crisis intervention, or other interpersonal communication skills, 2) an opportunity to work one-on-one, in person or by phone, with clients from a variety of backgrounds, and 3) supervision in some form. The advocacy experience should give you an opportunity to work with individuals around issues that do not have a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ outcome, but are measured by the client’s sense that they have made their own choice. Community programs that can typically provide this type of experience include, but are not limited to: crisis intervention, unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence, teen runaway, hospice programs and various support groups.

What should be included in my response to the essay questions?

Simply put, we want to hear more about you. The application itself provides a guide to your academic and employment timeline. The essays are an opportunity for you to tell us about your experiences and your thinking. This is your chance to let the admissions committee really learn more about who you are. It is a good idea to have someone with professional experience, of any type, read and critique your essay responses before you submit your application.

Does Michigan have rolling admissions or offer delayed admissions?

No. All applications received by January 15th are given equal consideration and are considered only for enrollment in the following fall.

Is the residency of an applicant considered in the admissions process?

No, it is not. We make no distinction in our admissions process between in-state, out-of-state or foreign applicants.

How many students apply? How many are accepted?

Each year we receive an average of 60-70 applications. The admissions committee, composed of faculty and students, selects applicants for interviews and up to six will then be accepted into the program.

Do you look at my combined GRE scores or certain sections? Are my MCAT scores acceptable instead of GRE scores?

We look at each of your GRE scores (verbal, analytical, and quantitative) separately. No one section is more important than another. If you feel your scores do not reflect your abilities or some circumstance affected your performance, please include an explanation in your application. The usefulness of GREs is in their universality – unlike GPAs and letters of recommendation, the GRE is one commonality between all of our applicants. Since an MCAT score is not comparable, we do not accept MCAT scores in lieu of the GREs.

Can I visit the Genetic Counseling Program?

Yes! If you are interested please call Dr. Beverly Yashar at (734) 763-2933. Your visit could include a meeting with the director of the program and other faculty members, as well as meeting current students if classes are in session. The Genetic Counseling Program is on the Medical Campus. Central Campus is only a few blocks away, and is the site of undergraduate classes as well as many student services. Walking tours of the Central Campus are available through the University. Call the Huetwell Visitors Center at (734) 647-5692 for information.

How are my transcripts evaluated?

Transcripts will be examined for confirmation that the prerequisite courses have been successfully completed. Specifically, this will include: 1) an upper level human genetics course (generally this means a 300-400 level course, even though the title may include the word ‘introduction’); 2) biochemistry (one semester is sufficient and each university will have different science prerequisites for enrollment in biochemistry); and 3) a general, introductory statistics course. In addition, we will be interested in the courses taken within your major and electives taken in other areas. If you are presently enrolled in a course that would qualify as a prerequisite and won’t therefore appear on your official transcript, be sure that this is brought to our attention. In short, we look at all years and all courses during your undergraduate experience.

When and where are interviews held?

Interviews are held during March and April in Ann Arbor, and are an opportunity for applicants to meet both faculty and students and to learn more about the program and the University and Ann Arbor communities.

Are there additional experiences that could strengthen my application?

Many of our successful applicants have taken the time to meet with practicing genetic counselors. This experience allows them to gather first-hand knowledge about the profession. If you live in a community that has genetic counselors, we encourage you to meet with them to talk about their professional experiences and possibly to job shadow. If this is not possible, then you might arrange to talk with a counselor via e-mail or over the phone. The information gathered can give you very helpful insights. You can find genetic counselors willing to talk with prospective students by going to the web site for the National Society of Genetic Counselors and clicking on the “Quick Link” entitled “Find a Counselor.”