Genetic Counseling Program Admissions

Thank you for your interest in the Baylor College of Medicine Genetic Counseling Program.

Student admission practices are non-discriminatory with respect to race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual preference, age, disabling conditions and national origin and are in alignment with the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. 

Applications for the Class of 2027 will open on Sept. 1, 2024.

Check your application status. To return to your saved application, use the username and password you created when you started your application.

If you have any questions regarding the admissions process or programs, contact Baylor College of Medicine-Genetic Counseling Program.

The Baylor College of Medicine Genetic Counseling program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services. Visit the NMS website to register for the match, review detailed information about the matching process, and to view a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works.

Your unique NMS ID number will be required in order for you to submit your application.

Before starting your application, view the application process for information about the match and applying to our program.

Match Fee Waiver 

GCEA 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 Oct. 4, 2024. Applicants will be notified by Oct. 30, 2024 as to whether they 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.

Please direct any questions about the Match Fee Waiver process or requirements to gcmatchwaivers@gcea.onmicrosoft.com. Apply for the waiver. 

Partial Scholarship

Baylor College of Medicine endowment funds have been made available to the Genetic Counseling Program for the GC Pre-Matriculation Scholarship of $5,000 per year ($10,000 total) for one student in each matriculating class. All applicants selected for an interview are eligible. Applicants wishing to apply for the scholarship must submit a rank list under the BCM partial scholarship track listed through the NMS website. Applicants with questions about the partial scholarship can reach out to program leadership for more information at gcprogramadmissions@bcm.edu. Learn more about the scholarship.  

Texas Society of Genetic Counselors Program Fee Reimbursement Initiative

If you are an applicant to a genetic counseling program in Texas and meet certain eligibility requirements, you may apply for reimbursement of your Texas GC program application fee and your NMS fee. Information about the eligibility requirements can be found on the TSGC website. To apply, fill out the TSGC Application for Reimbursement which is available on the TSGC website after you have applied to a Texas genetic counseling program and have receipts of payment available. A member of the TSGC DEI Task Force will be in contact with you if additional information is needed and for confirmation of your request.

View tuition and fees for the Genetic Counseling Program.

The Baylor College of Medicine Office of Student Financial Aid helps students navigate the process of applying for financial support.

Students are encouraged to visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website for a complete listing of available programs, eligibility requirements, application processing, and policies. For additional information or assistance, call the Office of Student Financial Aid at 713-798-4603.

All of the elements below are required for admission into the Genetic Counseling Program. Students must also meet technical standards. A bachelor's degree is required. While most of our students will have an undergraduate degree in biological sciences, this is not required. Although desktop computers may be available for students to use, access can not be guaranteed and a personal laptop computer is required since it will be needed for certain class assignments.

• Biochemistry
• At least one upper-level human genetics course (300 or 400 level if this is available at your institution).
• A general statistics course.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications with a GPA under 3.0 (without rounding) will not be reviewed.

Employment history should be included in an applicant's CV.

In a brief statement (750 words or less) tell us a specific situation in your advocacy, shadowing, or work experience that fueled your interest in pursuing genetic counseling as a career. Tell us what differentiates you from other applicants and will make you a successful student and future genetic counselor.

Advocacy experience demonstrates a candidate’s willingness and appreciation of the responsibilities of a counseling or supportive role. Acceptable experiences include a volunteer or paid position with a community-based agency such as a crisis intervention program, Planned Parenthood affiliate, domestic violence program, or hospice program. Serving as a resident assistant, student advisor, or some related activity is also acceptable.

The experiences should include sufficient opportunity to work in a responsible, one-on-one (in person or by telephone) relationship with a variety of individuals seeking information, resources, guidance, counseling, or other support services made available through the sponsoring agency or organization.

Ideally, some form of reporting or performance review with ongoing supervision should be a component of the experiences. Applicants may wish to complete these experiences on a part-time basis in the evenings and weekends while either attending school or working full-time in advance of applying.

Letters of recommendation may be from anyone who can comment on your academic, employment, or volunteer experience. Letters should not come from family members, but from others who have known you in educational, work, or community settings.

The College requires genetic counseling students to undergo a background check to assure that you will be allowed to work in all clinical settings where you are assigned and, ultimately, to qualify for certification. Background checks occur after offers of admission, so each student who accepts an offer of admission will be required to provide consent for this to occur.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Baylor College of Medicine Genetic Counseling Program no longer requires the GRE as a pre-requisite for applying to the program. 

At this time, clinical shadowing opportunities with our genetic counselors are very limited in availability. However, our genetic counselors offer one-on-one informational interviews so that you can learn more about the profession and/or specific subspecialties. Prior to being considered for one of these opportunities, we require a copy of your CV/resume to review. Please reach out to Amanda Gerard at Amanda.Gerard@bcm.edu to request information about potential shadowing and/or informational interview opportunities with a genetic counseling faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine. For general questions regarding the Genetic Counseling Program, please contact gcprogramadmissions@bcm.edu.

Structural racism directly impacts all communities, including the healthcare community. As a leading biomedical institution in one of the largest, most diverse cities in the United States, Baylor College of Medicine is committed to protecting and promoting the health of all individuals, to working toward a more just healthcare system, and to demonstrating leadership in the advancement of diversity, inclusion and equity.

Read the College’s position statement on Racial Justice to Improve Public Health.