Skip to main content
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical and Molecular Genetics

Admissions and Prerequisites

Applications are due by December 16th for consideration for admission in the subsequent fall semester. Decisions for admission are made by the genetic counseling graduate program admissions committee based on a holistic review of application materials and the outcome of interviews for invited candidates. Applicants are typically notified of offers for interview in January, and interviews are typically held in February and March. Applicants interviewed by the program will be notified of their match status through the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match in April. Currently, IU School of Medicine accepts eight students into the genetic counseling graduate program each year.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the genetic counseling graduate program at IU School of Medicine must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution with at least a 3.0 GPA. Common undergraduate degrees include biology, psychology, biochemistry and life sciences; however, candidates with other undergraduate degrees are considered. Prerequisites include at least one course in each of biology, genetics, psychology and either organic chemistry or biochemistry. Courses in molecular biology or molecular genetics as well as statistics, anatomy and physiology are recommended but not required.

Particularly strong applicants have explored the profession through extracurricular counseling and/or advocacy experiences (such as observing or interning with a genetic counselor, working/volunteering as a crisis-counselor, or interacting in some fashion with individuals who have disabilities).

 

Undergraduate Degree

Applicants to the genetic counseling graduate program at IU School of Medicine must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution. Common undergraduate degrees include biology, psychology, biochemistry and life sciences; however, candidates with other undergraduate degrees may be considered depending on quality of relevant coursework that has been completed (see below).

 

Undergraduate GPA and science GPA

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate cumulative/combined GPA for consideration for admission. (A combined GPA includes grades earned from all undergraduate institutions, not solely the degree-granting institution.) A science GPA will be calculated based on students’ grades in any completed biology, chemistry, genetics, mathematics and physics courses. Applicants with cumulative and science GPAs of 3.4 and above are considered particularly strong candidates. For the four most recent matriculating classes, the students’ average combined undergraduate GPA was 3.83 while the average science GPA was 3.76. The range for combined GPA was 3.47-4.0 and for the science GPA was 3.28-4.0.

 

Courses

Prerequisites include at least one course in each of biology, genetics, psychology and either organic chemistry or biochemistry although strong applicants have typically completed additional biology and genetics courses. Courses in molecular biology or molecular genetics as well as statistics, anatomy and physiology are recommended but not required.

 

Recommended Experience

Strong applicants have explored the profession through observing, interning with and/or interviewing genetic counselors or attending educational events such as genetic counseling open houses, conferences or webinars. Additionally, extracurricular counseling and/or advocacy experiences are recommended such as working/volunteering as a crisis-counselor in person, via hotline or via text line, or interacting in a helping fashion directly with individuals who are impacted by genetic conditions, disabilities or crisis situations. In their personal statements, applicants are encouraged to draw upon their career exploration and counseling experiences to elaborate on their understanding of the genetic counseling career.

Apply

The IU School of Medicine Genetic Counseling Graduate Program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). All applicants must register for the match with NMS before applying to genetic counseling graduate programs. All applications and supporting materials are due by December 18 for admission the following fall semester.

Application Materials

The following materials must be submitted as part of the application for admission: completed application form, official transcript(s) from all undergraduate educational programs, resume (no page limit), and personal statement. TOEFL scores are required for applicants from a non-English speaking country; 100 points is the minimum required score for the TOEFL iBT, with scores 110 and above preferred. To submit scores, applicants should use the following codes: Institution Code 1325 and Department Code 0210. An application fee ($70 domestic and international) applies.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters should be from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic accomplishments, counseling-related activities and/or potential to be a genetic counselor (e.g. academic advisors, professors, laboratory supervisors, genetic counselor supervisors of internship experiences, etc). Recommenders may complete the electronic recommendation that is sent to them following submission of an application; however, the program also welcomes letters sent to the Graduate Secretary.

Applicants should submit a two to three page personal statement that covers their interest in genetic counseling, career objectives, preparation for graduate study, relevant experiences, an explanation of any problems or inconsistencies in academic records, and an explanation of their desire to enroll in the genetic counseling program.

The applicant’s resume must detail relevant experiences, including those in education; employment; laboratory and research; observation and shadowing; and counseling, mentoring and advocacy.

To apply for the Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, please apply through the Indiana University Central Application System (CAS). After creating an account, search for the MS in Medical and Molecular Genetics Program.

After providing demographic and undergraduate information, applicants will be asked to specify their plan of choice within the MS in Medical and Molecular Genetics program; choices are the Genetic Counseling Program and the non-counseling MS in Medical and Molecular Genetics.

All applicants will be asked to provide transcripts, TOEFL scores (if applicable), and at least three references as well as a resume and personal statement.

Applicants to the Genetic Counseling Program must also provide their NMS GC Admissions Match number.

Any materials to be mailed should be sent separately to the Medical Genetics Education Program Manager, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, IU School of Medicine, 975 W. Walnut Street, IB 130, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Questions regarding the application and admissions process may be directed to IUGCGP@iu.edu.