Welcome to the University of Wisconsin Master of Genetic Counselor Studies (MGCS) Application! We are glad you are here!

Important Dates:

For additional details about any of the following requirements visit our MGCS website.

Information to gather to prepare for your application: 

NMS Match Code Number: 

• The Master of Genetic Counselor Studies (MGCS) is participating in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs. You must enter your NMS match code number in order to submit your completed UW-Madison MGCS application. Visit the NMS website for further information.
• GCEA has established a waiver for the $100 fee associated with the NMS Match. Prospective students who demonstrate financial need AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater can apply for a match fee waiver. Prospective students should apply for a fee waiver BEFORE registering for an NMS number. Match fee waivers cannot be awarded to applicants who have already registered for the Match and paid the registration fee.  
  • Applications for the Match fee waiver are due by October 4, 2024. Applicants will be notified by October 30, 2024 as to whether they have received a waiver. There are a limited number of waivers, so not all applicants will receive a waiver. Instructions for how to register for the NMS match will be provided to those who receive a waiver. 
  • For the Match fee waiver application and requirements, visit the NMS website. Please direct any questions about the Match Fee Waiver process or requirements to gcmatchwaivers@gcea.onmicrosoft.com.

Transcripts:

• You will need to upload an unofficial transcript from each institution you attended. 
• To make it more equitable for all, we no longer require applicants to send official transcripts. Please DO NOT send us official transcripts at this time. Should you be invited for an interview, we will require official transcripts and instructions will be provided in your interview offer letter.   
• If you have courses in progress, please upload your unofficial transcript as of now. When you receive your grades at the end of the semester, email an unofficial transcript to mgcs@pediatrics.wisc.edu and we will upload it, as you will not be able to access your application once you submit it. If you are invited for an interview, we will then request that you send your official transcripts.

GPA:

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison Master of Genetic Counselor Studies (MGCS) program requires that applicants have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on a traditional 4.00 scale. The overall cumulative GPA is calculated from all courses taken at the collegiate level, no matter when the courses were completed.  Applicants with a cumulative GPA <3.0 will be reviewed by the admissions committee for further evidence of potential academic success.

Prerequisite Course Information: 

• List course names, dates taken, and grade you earned in each of biochemistry, statistics, and advanced genetics. See our website for details about required courses.  Since many colleges now use pass/fail grading, the MGCS program began accepting pass/fail grades for courses taken in spring 2020 and later.

Other courses: 

• The credit level is the amount of credits you received for the course (1 credit vs 2 credits, etc). Within the course title, you may include the level of the course (e.g Bio345 Intro to Genetics vs Genetics255 Advanced Genetics, etc).

Test Scores: 

• We do not require GRE scores. DO NOT include your GRE score with your application or on your resume.  The application review committee will not review your GRE score in your application. 
• Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score.  We accept the TOEFL or IELTS.  Please include your score within the application.

Personal Statement:

• The UW-Madison MGCS program does not use specific questions to guide the personal statement. The personal statement is an opportunity for applicants to help the admissions committee better understand how various experiences have shaped their career goals. Statements often include content that demonstrates a broad understanding of the profession as well as their reasons for selecting this field of study. Personal insight into related experiences and how they have influenced the applicant’s decision to pursue the profession is critical. The admissions committee evaluates the statement for an understanding of the profession, maturity in reflection and insight, as well as readiness for graduate study. Please share any experiences with individuals with exceptional healthcare needs as related to the profession. This should not be a restatement of your CV. The personal statement should be no more than three pages, double spaced, 12 point font.  

Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume:

• A CV or resume is required.   

Names/Emails for Three Letters of Recommendation: 

• Within the application you will enter your references’ email addresses and how you know them (advocacy, academics, employer). The application system then sends a link to your recommender, where they can directly upload their letter of recommendation.  Ideally, your recommenders can speak to your academic, professional, and advocacy experiences.  The MGCS program only allows for three letters of recommendation. 
• You can submit your application prior to all recommender letters being received. You do not need to wait until recommenders have uploaded their letters. 
• It is the applicant's responsibility to communicate with your recommenders to submit letters before the December 15th deadline.

Application Fee: 

• The application fee ($75.00) is submitted through a secure link using Cashnet, which is a direct connection to UW-Madison.
• The MGCS program will honor any match fee waivers awarded to applicants from NMS (via GCEA).   NOTE:  The MGCS program will NOT honor a waiver from the UW Madison Graduate School.  Please see details for the fee waiver application at NMS Match. If you have been awarded a waiver, please email mgcs@pediatrics.wisc.edu for further instructions.   

Tracks:  The UW-Madison has three pathways for training, also known as tracks within the NMS match. 

• Madison Track: Six students will be selected to complete their entire training in Madison, WI.   

• Marshfield Track:  One student will be selected to complete the first year of training in Madison, WI and the second year of training at Marshfield Genetics Service at Marshfield Clinic Health System in Marshfield, WI. If you would like to be considered for this pathway, there is a track option you may select within the application. There are no additional requirements in the application to select this track:  More details can be found on our website: Marshfield Path. 

• Dual Degree Track -  Master of Public Health & Master of Genetic Counselor Studies: One student will be selected to complete a dual degree, earning both a Master of Public Health and a Master of Genetic Counselor Studies degree. This training pathway is designed to prepare future genetic counselors with foundational knowledge and skills in clinical medicine, and the science and practice of public health to better address health, wellness, and complex health issues on an individual and population basis. The MPH-MGCS Track allows students to complete both degrees in three years in Madison, WI. The first year will be in the MPH program, followed by two years in the MGCS program. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health MGCS-MPH Dual Degree requires that students are reviewed for admission by each program separately; however, there is only ONE application that is administered by the MGCS program. An additional personal statement is required within the application.* Applicants need to be accepted by both programs for dual degree admission. MGCS MPH Dual Degree.

*If you are interested in the MGCS-MPH dual degree, an additional personal statement is required answering the following: Please describe your interest in the MGCS-MPH dual-degree by providing information about your relevant public health experience and your plans for incorporating public health into your future practice in a personal statement not exceeding 700 words.

It is best practice to save your entry often to ensure that no application material is inadvertently lost.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm CST on December 15, 2024 to be considered for Fall 2025 admission. There are no exceptions to this deadline.

For additional details about any of the above requirements visit our MGCS website. If you have questions, feel free to contact us at mgcs@pediatrics.wisc.edu.  

We look forward to reviewing your application!