Application

Before beginning the application process, read the following instructions and review University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM)/Genetic Counseling admissions requirements and guidelines.

The online application form, the fee, and all required supplemental items must be received by the published deadline for you to be considered for admission.  The deadline for the Genetic Counseling Program is January 6, 2025.

Step 1: Complete the online application

Follow the online instructions for completing the application and be sure to complete each section, including the certification.

Have your credit or debit card ready so that you can pay the application fee. Be sure to keep the pop-up window open to the pay the fee until the transaction is complete.  You must submit your online application and payment before attempting to upload your supporting materials/supplemental items in Step 2 below.  

If your desired program does not appear in the drop-down menu, the deadline has passed or does not accept applications for the desired entry term.

Prior to paying the application fee, you may stop and save your work to continue at a later time while completing the online application.  Be sure to keep your password in a secure place so that you can return to check on your application status later.  

Note: Once you submit your application fee, you cannot return to this part of the application, you must continue to Step 2. 

All of your information is transmitted through a secure server and is kept fully confidential.

Step 2: Send us your supporting materials and supplemental items

Supporting materials are required as part of your application review. Please submit the online application before uploading your supporting material or supplemental items. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

Transcripts
Upload your unofficial transcripts as a supplemental item to the online application.

You must submit unofficial transcripts from each college/university attended, including non-degree coursework and coursework in progress at time of application. Unofficial copies may be provided for the application review process.

Only if you MATCH to the University of Maryland, you must then provide official transcripts from each college/university attended, including non-degree coursework and coursework in progress at time of application. The transcript must be provided to the University of Maryland School of Medicine/Genetic Counseling Program directly from the prior, degree-granting institution in a sealed envelope in order for that document to be considered official. Alternatively, it may be provided to the SOM/Genetic Counseling Program electronically by way of a secure, encrypted platform. Each transcript should bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution.

Transcripts (US only) may be obtained from/provided by one of the following secure, encrypted transcript services:

https://www.parchment.com/
https://studentclearinghouse.org/transcriptservices/fast/

Send encrypted, electronic transcripts from your issuing institution to: mgcprogram@som.umaryland.edu

If provided by mail, send official transcripts in sealed envelopes to:

ATTN: Ann Toma

SOM/Genetic Counseling Program
685 West Baltimore Street
MSTF 314G
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Recommendations
Please provide three (3) recommendations from professors or from others – perhaps supervisors in your workplace – who can attest to the quality of your academic performance, scholastic potential and other genetic counseling abilities.  Your recommendations are managed by the online application; you will need the email addresses of your recommenders for this process. 

Please note: The recommenders will be provided a link by our application system to an online recommendation form that they will complete.  “Letters” of recommendation are not required, only the completion of the online recommendation form.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) OPTIONAL
Score reports must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) agency to us; the UMSOM/Genetic Counseling Program institution code for the GRE is - Institution Code 5848/Department Code 0210.

Essay
Your essay must be uploaded as a supplemental item to the online application.

The essay is an important part of your application. It is recommended that you write your essay using a word processing software, prior to copying it into the online application.

In 1,000 words or less please address the prompt below:

All students can contribute to the creation of a diverse and inclusive environment when diversity is defined most broadly. Whether by a personal attribute, characteristic, culture, experience, or behavior please tell us how you believe you (and the experiences that lead you to pursue genetic counseling as a career) will contribute to the diversity of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Master's in Genetic Counseling Program and the genetic counseling profession.

English Language Proficiency (International Applicants Only)
The UMOM/Genetic Counseling Program accepts the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as a measure of English proficiency. Minimum, required scores are 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL, and 7.0 on the IELTS. Scores must be sent directly from ETS (for TOEFL, use institution code #5848) or the IELTS agency to the UMSOM/Genetic Counseling Program at the address above.

CV or Resume
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume is required.  Your CV or resume must be uploaded as part of the online application.

Application for in-state status classification
Maryland residents only. If you wish to be considered for in-state residency status for admission and tuition purposes, you must complete an Application for In-State Classification and submit it to the campus classification officer within the Office of the Registrar.

Step 3: Complete your checklist

In addition to the online application form (and fee), make sure that you have submitted all of your supplemental items and have checked all of your desired program’s admissions requirements. Here’s a summary of the requirements:

• Transcripts
• Three Recommendations – This is an online form that will be sent to your recommenders for them to complete.
• Standardized tests; The GRE is optional; international applicants need to submit results of the TOEFL or IELTS
• CV or Resume
• Essay

If you have problems with or questions about the application process, please contact us at 410-706-4713 or mgcprogram@som.umaryland.edu

You can check the status of your application using your email address and the password you created when you submitted your online application.  You may not make changes once it has been submitted, however.  Please send any changes or corrections to us at mgcprogram@som.umaryland.edu.

We encourage you to follow-up with your prior institutions regarding the issuing of transcripts, as well as with your recommenders and testing agencies (where appropriate), to ensure completion of your application file.

• Clearly identify yourself by using your complete name and applicant ID number on all materials and communications. Indicate any previous name(s) where appropriate.
• If you are a military applicant, please contact our VA representative upon submittal of your application.
• Don’t assume that we know you’re from Maryland! If you wish to be considered for in-state residency status for tuition purposes, you must complete the Application for In-State Classification. 

Applications and supporting material(s) become the property of the University of Maryland SOM/Genetic Counseling Program and are not returned.  We encourage applicants to make and retain copies of all application documents before submission.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore embraces a culture that embodies UMB's core values of accountability, civility, collaboration, diversity, excellence, knowledge, and leadership.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore does not discriminate in its admissions, educational services, or supporting services because of race, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or disability.