Admissions Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. The majority of students will enter the program with an undergraduate degree in biology, genetics, psychology, nursing, social work, or public health. However, this program is available to individuals from all majors as long as the following prerequisites have been completed: 
one year of general biology
one year of general chemistry (including both organic and inorganic chemistry)
one semester of biochemistry
one semester of psychology
one semester of genetics
one semester of statistics
Other courses that are recommended but not required are human genetics, physics, calculus, neuroscience, and sociology. Personal experiences relevant to genetic counseling, including working in a laboratory, counseling with a crisis hotline or Planned Parenthood program, or shadowing a genetic counselor, are strongly recommended. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a CV (resume). Satisfactory scores from the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for all students; subject GRE scores are optional. The GRE must be taken no later than December of the application year, and GRE scores cannot be more than five years old. Our GRE institution code is 3251. You do not need to list a separate Department Code. TOEFL scores are required for applicants from countries where English is not the language of instruction. Supporting materials include undergraduate transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. If your cumulative GPA is not included on your transcript, please provide it for us on a scale of 4.00. Topics to be addressed in your personal statement include the academic, inter-personal, and extra-curricular experiences that led to your interest in the field and the personal characteristics that will contribute to your success as a genetic counselor.
Applications are available on-line at www.bumc.bu.edu/gms.
Please send all supplemental application materials to:
Boston University School of Medicine
Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
Graduate Admissions Office
72 East Concord Street, Room L317
Boston, MA 02118
The Genetic Counseling Program will use the admissions standards set forth by the Boston University School of Medicine Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. These requirements are defined in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences Catalog.
The deadline for applications to the Genetic Counseling Program is January 15th.
However, earlier submission is acceptable and appreciated! Qualified applicants will be invited to interview throughout March and April, and interviewing applicants will meet with at least 3 members of the Admissions Committee. Notices of acceptance will be provided via telephone on the national acceptance date designated by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (typically in late April or early May). Individuals who receive offers will have five days to respond.
