Admissions Requirements
1) Undergraduate Transcript
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 quarter or semester of genetics
one quarter or semester of psychology
one year of general biology
one year of general chemistry
one quarter or semester of biochemistry
one quarter or semester of statistics
We will allow one course taken for Advanced Placement credit OR one course taken on-line to count towards the prerequisite requirements. At the application deadline, you may also have up to two outstanding prerequisites that you plan to complete in the upcoming spring or summer. However, these exceptions cannot include genetics or psychology. Please list your plans for any pending prerequisite courses on your application.
Additional coursework in related fields (i.e. human genetics, psychology, public health, anthropology, sociology, neuroscience, maternal and child health, etc.) can further strengthen your application. If your transcript does not reflect your cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale and your individual grades on an A-F grading scale please provide us with this information or consult a transcript service company. We do not have a minimum GPA requirement; however, the average GPA for candidates that are selected for interviews is 3.5.
Please submit a transcript from each institution that you attended.
2) Satisfactory Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The general GRE must be taken no later than December of the application year, and GRE scores cannot be more than five years old. Subject GRE scores are optional. Our GRE institution code is 3251. You do not need to list a separate Department Code. We do not have a minimum GRE requirement; however, the average GRE scores for candidates that are selected for interviews are at the 70th percentile in each category.
Because genetic counseling requires strong written and spoken English skills, we require very high TOEFL or IELTS scores from international applicants.
3) Personal Experiences
Personal experiences relevant to genetic counseling are also required. These may include:
- shadowing or meeting with a genetic counselor
- volunteer or advocacy experience (support groups, summer camps, fund-raising events, etc.)
- counseling experience (crisis hotlines, Planned Parenthood, etc.)
- laboratory experience (academic or commercial)
- research experience
4) Three Letters of Recommendation
There are no requirements regarding the background of your recommenders, but you are encouraged to choose individuals who can comment on different strengths. Please submit only three letters of recommendation.
5) Personal Statement
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. The personal statement should be 3-4 pages (double-spaced).
6) Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Applications are submitted on-line at https://www.bu.edu/link/bin/uiscgi_graduate_application.pl?ThisCollege=med. Please send supplemental application materials that can not be submitted electronically (i.e. transcripts) to:
Division of Graduate Medical Sciences (Attn: Admissions Office)
Boston University School of Medicine
72 East Concord Street
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 BU Genetic Counseling Program is January 1st. However, earlier submission is acceptable and appreciated! In early February, all applicants will be notified about the status of their application. Preliminary phone and/or video interviews may also be requested at that time. Candidates who are selected for an interview will be scheduled to visit our program throughout March and April, at which time they will meet with our students and faculty. Notices of acceptance will be provided by telephone on the national acceptance date designated by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (typically in late April or early May).
