Program Admission

Application Requirements

All applicants must register with the Genetic Counseling (GC) Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS) at https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/index.html. Additional information about the NMS Match:

The GC Admissions Match has been established to enhance the process of placing applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The Match uses a process that takes into account both applicants’ and programs’ preferences. All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs. At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website. The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in late April. Please visit the NMS website at (https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions) to register for the match, review detailed information about the matching process, and to view a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works.

Application Process

Please note: All applications are submitted through the UCLA GRADUATE DIVISION website.

All applicants will complete the program application and submit the following required materials:

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores from the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic sections obtained within the last 5 years. Scores of 50%ile are generally considered competitive if other aspects of the application are strong.
• Resume (CV) - Please be sure to include information that documents your genetic counseling experience, other counseling experience, exposure to patients in clinical settings, research experience, exposure to individuals with disability, publications or abstracts. In addition, please include:
• A list of your specific courses which meet our pre-requisites, the institutions at which they were taken and your grades in each relevant course.
• Your NMS number at the top of your CV.
• Essay describing why you are interested in a career in genetic counseling, the background and experiences that have prepared you for a career in genetic counseling, and why you are interested in the UCLA genetic counseling training program. Limit: 2 double-spaced pages.
• Essay describing your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion (past, present, and future). Limit: 2 double-spaced pages.
• • Official transcripts of all university coursework.
• 3 Letters of Recommendation from individuals competent to evaluate qualifications for pursuit of graduate study and a genetic counseling career.