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

Important Dates:

The application opens September 1, 2025. We are providing this information now to help you prepare and gather information for your application. For additional details about any of the following requirements visit our MGCS website.

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 usually due in early fall (2025 date to be determined). Watch the GCEA website for the deadline. Applicants will be notified by late fall (2025 date to be determined) 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 GCEA Waiver Support.

Transcript Submission Guidelines:

• Upload Unofficial Transcripts with Your Application
  • You must upload an unofficial transcript from each institution you have attended.

• Do Not Send Official Transcripts at this Stage
  • We do not require official transcripts at the time of application. Please do not send official transcripts now. 
  • If you are invited to interview, we will request official transcripts. Instructions will be included in your interview offer letter.   

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 accepts pass/fail grades for courses taken in spring 2020 and later.
• Pre-Requisite Courses in Progress: You may still apply if you are taking a required course in the fall 2025 or spring 2026 semester.
  • If you are currently enrolled in courses, upload your most recent unofficial transcript now. 
  • If you receive your final grades after the application deadline, please email an updated unofficial transcript to mgcs@pediatrics.wisc.edu. Your application will not be considered complete until we have received all required transcripts.

• AP Credit for Pre-Requisite Courses: We accept a statistics course completed through Advanced Placement (AP) credit, as long as your transcript reflects successful completion. However, AP credit is not accepted for Biochemistry or Advanced Genetics.

Other Courses: 

• When entering other relevant courses in your application, 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.)

GPA:

• The 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.

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 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. Do not include your photo.

Names/Emails for Three Letters of Recommendation: 

• Within the application you will enter your references’ email addresses and how you know them (academics, employer, advocacy). 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 your 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 tracks for training. Please review the three training tracks we offer. Within the application, you will be able to select those for which you have interest. You may select more than one track, and your choices at this stage in the application are not binding. During your interview, you will receive more details and have the chance to ask questions before making your final decision about how you will rank the tracks in the NMS GC Admissions Match.

• Madison Only Track: Six students will be selected to complete the two years of training in Madison, WI to earn a Master of Genetic Counselor Studies degree.

• Madison/Marshfield Track:  One student will be selected to complete the first year of genetic counselor training in Madison, WI followed by the second year of training at Marshfield Clinic Health System in Marshfield, WI. Students completing this track will earn a Master of Genetic Counselor Studies degree. This track offers hands-on experience in delivering genetics healthcare in a rural setting. It is designed to help address Wisconsin's rural health disparities by supporting clinicians and equipping healthcare teams to expand access to high-quality, specialized genetic healthcare in underserved communities. If you are interested in this track no additional materials or steps are required in the application. If you are invited to interview and you wish to be considered for this track, you will interview with a genetic counselor from the Marshfield Clinic Health System. Please visit our website for further details about the Madison/Marshfield Track. 

• Dual Degree Track: One student will be selected to complete a dual degree, earning both a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Genetic Counselor Studies (MGCS).  The student will complete both degrees in Madison, WI, over 3 years--spending the first year in the MPH program, followed by two years in the MGCS program. This track equips future genetic counselors with a strong foundation in clinical medicine and public health, preparing them to address complex health issues at both individual and population levels. At this stage of the application, no additional steps are required. If you are invited to interview and wish to be considered for this track, you will also complete the MPH program application at that time. As part of that application, you will need to submit a personal statement (700 words or fewer) outlining your interest in the MGCS-MPH dual degree, including relevant public health experience and how you plan to incorporate public health into your future practice. Although you are welcome to begin drafting your personal statement now, it is not required at this stage. Please note that there is no place to upload this statement in the genetic counseling application. Please note that applications are reviewed by each graduate program separately; and admission decisions are made independently. The admitted student will be notified via the NMS GC Admissions Match. Please visit our website for further details about the MGCS-MPH Dual Degree.

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, 2025 to be considered for Fall 2026 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!