Application Requirements

Applicants should have a background in basic and social sciences and are required to have completed prerequisite courses in biology, genetics, biochemistry, psychology, and statistics. Competitive candidates should demonstrate an understanding of genetic counseling and the profession. Applicants should also have experience with peer counseling or working with agencies that provide counseling services (i.e. suicide hotlines, domestic violence hotlines/shelters, or homeless or AIDS shelters).

Our program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). The Admissions Match was 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.

All applicants must first register for the Match before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs. Prospective students can apply for a waiver for the $100 NMS Match fee, which must be completed prior to registering for an NMS number.

At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS. The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in late April.

Admissions requirements include:

• Completed online application
• $80 application fee
  • Fee may be waived upon request. Please send a fee waiver request to admissions@mssm.edu
• Unofficial transcripts
  • Once you enroll in the program, you will be required to submit official transcript(s) directly to our Admissions Office.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• GRE score (optional)
  • Although not required, you may optionally submit GRE scores in support of your application. General exam scores may be submitted unofficially or by using school code 2464.

International Students

We encourage applications from qualified individuals, regardless of country of origin or where you received your academic and research training. Graduates from foreign colleges or universities who have completed an academic program equivalent to an American bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply.

Following both government and school regulated processes, admissions requirements include:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or testing equivalent with a score of 100 or higher, or equivalent (such as IELTS, CAE, PTE), only if you are from a non-English-speaking country and did not earn a degree from an English-speaking university or curriculum. Applicants submitting IELTS scores (minimum score of 7.5) must send them directly to our admissions office at the following address:

               Director of Admissions Processing and Systems
               Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
               Office of Enrollment Services
               One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1002
               New York, New York 10029
               USA

• Transcripts from colleges and universities outside the United States and Canada must be evaluated and translated by World Education Services or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)

SpanTran is our recommended international transcript evaluation service. They have created a custom application for the Icahn School of Medicine that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here: SpanTran Application - Icahn School of Medicine

Application Deadlines and Decisions

Completed applications must be received by January 5. Our admissions committee will review and virtually interview a selected pool of applicants from February through early April. Notification of admissions will follow the guidelines established by the Genetic Counselor Educators Association. Decisions are typically announced by late April.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The total tuition for the 21-month program is currently $70,000. Tuition and other fees are subject to change annually. We offer financial assistance options, based on your financial need, including part-time employment, and loans. Each year various scholarships may be awarded based on available funds.