Below are some frequently asked questions related to admissions in the genetic counseling program. For more information, contact us at [email protected].
One of my recommendation letter writers doesn’t want to submit their letter through the application system. Can they email or mail their letter?
Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss this issue.
I am not a biology major. Can I still apply to the program?
Yes, absolutely! We have had students with all different kinds of majors, including journalism, public health, psychology, and music. The most important thing is that the prerequisites have been completed.
I will not have completed all my prerequisites before the application deadline. Should I still apply?
Classes may currently be in progress - for grades received in December after the application deadline, forward a copy of your transcript on to [email protected] as soon as grades are available. Missing fall grades may impact your likelihood of being selected for an interview. One remaining prerequisite may be completed in the spring semester if needed (the same year you intend to begin school in the fall). If your prerequisites are in progress, indicate “IP fall” or “IP spring” next to the class in the Genetic Counseling section of the application.
Do you accept AP credit for the prerequisites?
Yes, we accept AP credit for Psychology and/or Statistics.
It is difficult to find shadowing opportunities in the area I live. Will my application still be competitive?
We do not require shadowing experience. It is a valuable opportunity, but there are many barriers to this activity. Our program focuses on your understanding of the field, which can develop in many different ways, such as informational interviews, webinars, podcasts/blogs, etc. See our Prospective Student Resources section on our Resources page for some ideas to get started.
Who should I get recommendation letters from?
It is always a good idea to get a letter from one or two professors who can attest to your academic ability. It can also be extremely helpful to get a letter from a work supervisor or the supervisor for your advocacy experience. Through the aggregation of all your recommendation letters, we are hoping to get a view of your academic abilities, ability to work in a helping setting, and other skills gained through work experience.
For the prerequisites, how long does the class need to be? For example, do I need to take a year of biochemistry? Where can the prerequisites be taken?
We just require one semester for each prerequisite. The biochemistry course should be a dedicated course, not a survey or part of a molecular genetics class. A lab is not required. The psychology and stats classes can be intro classes, and all of the prerequisites can be taken at any accredited higher education institution (community college and online classes are acceptable). If you can get a transcript listing the number of college credits for the class and the grade, we will accept it.
How much advocacy experience do you require?
There is a lot of ambiguity in what genetic counseling programs call “advocacy,” so we do not use that term. We are interested in the skills and experiences you’ve developed that will transfer over to genetic counseling. We look at experiences in context and are most interested in how that experience changed you or taught you important lessons that apply to genetic counseling. From this framework, a one-time experience may have been very powerful, while months spent in another may yield very little, so time spent is not a good assessment.
I see the GRE is no longer a requirement. I have taken the GRE, so should I send my scores anyway?
No. We will not include GREs in any way when making admissions decisions. If you submit GRE scores, we will remove them from the application before our admissions committee sees them. There is absolutely NO advantage to be gained by sharing your GRE scores with us, as no one reviewing applications will see them.
Is your program STEM OPT extension eligible?
Yes, our students qualify for the STEM OPT Extension, and we have supported alumni through this process.
Where can I learn more about Graduate School Funding at the University of Minnesota?
Please consult the UMN Graduate School Funding Page to learn more about options such as fellowships, grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and loans. If you have specific questions that are not answered, please feel free to reach out to [email protected].
How else can I learn about the program?
We offer monthly online information meetings from May to November. These meetings are led by a member of our senior leadership team and provide an opportunity to learn about our program, the admissions process, and the genetic counseling field. They typically take the form of a presentation followed by time for questions. We often have a current student join us to answer questions from their perspective and have space for individual consultations with a faculty member. See our Admissions page for current listings.
UMN Genetic Counseling Program FAQ for students without documents
Do you accept undocumented students (no DACA status, no social security number, no Form I-766/EAD) into your program/academic institution?
Yes, the University of MN accepts students with no documentation of citizenship (no DACA status, no social security number, no Form I-766/EAD). See here for more information about Admissions Policies and Guidelines.
If the undocumented student resides in your program’s state, would the individual have to pay in-state tuition fees or international student tuition fees?
Please consult the Residency and Reciprocity brochure for more information about residency requirements and how undocumented students might be eligible for MN Residency. If you have questions about individual cases, we would recommend that you refer these to the Residency Officer, through [email protected]. For specific questions about benefits available for undocumented students, we recommend that you contact the Immigration Response Team at [email protected].
Do you accept DACAmented students (has social security number, has Form I-766/EAD) into your program/academic institution?
Yes, the University of Minnesota Graduate School accepts DACAmented Students. See here for more information about Admissions Policies and Guidelines.
If the DACAmented student resides in your program’s state, would these DACAmented students have to pay in-state tuition fees or international student tuition fees?
Please consult the Residency and Reciprocity brochure for more information about residency requirements and how DACA students might be eligible for MN Residency. If you have questions about individual cases, we would recommend that you refer these to the Residency Officer, through [email protected]. For specific questions about benefits available for undocumented students, we recommend that you contact the Immigration Response Team at [email protected].
How do your application fees differ for US citizens and permanent residents vs. undocumented, DACAmented, or international applicants?
Application fees to the University of Minnesota Graduate School are $95 for international applicants and $75 for U.S. citizens/permanent residents.This is determined by the way that applicants answer question prompts when filling out the application. If a person indicates that they are not a US citizen, and that their visa status is "Other/Unknown" they would be charged the $95 fee.
What are some limitations to financial aid from your institution for undocumented/DACAmented students?
All questions related to financial aid at the University of Minnesota are best directed to the Financial Aid Office.
Is your institution federally funded?
Yes, the University of Minnesota receives Federal Funds.
If yes, will undocumented/DACAmented students be accepted as international students?
The University of Minnesota Graduate School only has two designations for students; Resident or Non-Resident. Please consult the Residency and Reciprocity brochure for more information about residency requirements and how DACA students might be eligible for MN Residency. If you have questions about individual cases, we would recommend that you refer these to the Residency Officer, through [email protected]. For specific questions about benefits available for undocumented students, we recommend that you contact the Immigration Response Team at [email protected].
Does your program offer work study opportunities funded by your institution?
Questions about Work Study availability should be directed to University of Minnesota Human Resources at [email protected].