Examining career shadowing in genetic counseling: Perspectives of shadowees, program directors, and genetic counselors

International students' perspectives on the genetic counseling application process

Between 2018 and 2023, one percent of matched applicants to North American genetic counseling graduate programs (GCGPs) have been international applicants (IAs). The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in the GCGP application processes in 2020, most notably the incorporation of virtual interviews and GRE waivers, which uniquely impacted IAs. Twelve international genetic counseling (GC) students who matriculated into a U.S.-based GCGP in 2021 or 2022 participated in this qualitative study (42% of the total enrolled) to understand their application experience. Cost, location of the program, and rapport during interviews were the most important factors identified by IAs to apply to and rank the GCGPs. Shadowing and volunteer experiences relevant to GC were cited as important for applicants to learn about a genetic counseling career, but many had challenges finding opportunities in their home countries. Unique logistical challenges in taking the GRE, transcript evaluation services, and standardized English proficiency tests were described. Although virtual interviews offered the same experience as domestic applicants, the time difference was a major challenge, requiring IAs to interview through the night, creating additional stressors. Nine of 12 were re-applicants and shared that engaging with GCGPs early in the process was beneficial for improving applications and, at times, requesting waivers for transcript evaluation requirements and considering unique volunteering experiences. Participants suggested GCGPs can address barriers by providing more specific information on their websites as it pertains to IAs, and contact information for the international student office. Improving awareness of the applicants' backgrounds, home country experiences, and time zone differences would provide IAs with a more equitable application experience. Addressing these barriers could help promote diversity, equity, and inclusion allowing for more IAs and the growth of the genetic counseling profession.

The GC Immersive: Patching the pipeline with genetic counseling experiences for all

Genetic counseling graduate programs largely recommend that prospective applicants shadow or gain exposure to genetic counselors (GC) as a means of developing insight into the profession. However, prospective students have cited this need to shadow genetic counselors as harder to access in comparison to other prerequisites. The GC Immersive (GCI) at Color was created as a no-cost, remote, self-paced professional exploration program designed to provide resources and live interaction with a team of genetic counselors to increase accessibility to GC exposure and enhance the competitiveness of underrepresented GC candidates. The program design and curriculum were developed by a team of certified genetic counselors and a GC student in 2021 and is marketed to those who have one or more identities underrepresented in the GC field. In total, 287 individuals enrolled in the program in the first and second cycles, with 115 providing demographic information. The majority of enrollees identified as an underrepresented minority in GC in one or more identities, with individuals who are ethnic and/or racial minority (70%), first-generation college student (44%), lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, intersex, and/or asexual (LGBTQIA+) (27%), and disabled community (16%) reported as the most common identities. Most participants had never shadowed a GC (55%) prior to this course. Twenty-two percent of enrollees resided outside of the United States, representing 15 different countries. Of the 287 enrolled participants, 21 (7%) have completed the program, with the remaining participants having between 5 and 11 months to complete. All individuals who completed the program reported they felt better prepared to apply for a GC program. The general structure of this program can be replicated by any institution, as the program consists primarily of recorded content. Ongoing effort by genetic counselors is minimal and has the ability to provide GC experience to prospective applicants at great scale.

Barriers in applying to genetic counseling Master's degree programs: Perceptions of prospective applicants when compared with Canadian admissions committee members

The goal of this study was to identify potential barriers in applying to a genetic counseling (GC) Master's degree program to inform strategies for increasing diversity and inclusiveness in the GC student recruitment process. Participants included prospective GC program applicants and admissions committee members from the four Canadian accredited programs. The study was conducted using a quantitative survey-based approach. Twenty-five prospective applicants who previously applied to a GC Master's degree program, 26 who had not applied, and 48 admissions committee members completed the survey. The small number of positions in GC programs was perceived by all groups as highly likely to impact an applicant's ability to gain acceptance to a program as was the limited number of GC training programs. Prospective applicants perceived additional barriers as significantly more likely to impact an individual's ability to apply to/attend a program when compared with admissions committee members including: cost of the application process, the applicant being a visible minority and the applicant having a physical disability. These findings highlight a number of perceived barriers related to applying to a GC Master's degree program. To our knowledge, this is the first study surveying prospective applicants and admissions committee members on barriers faced during the application process. The data from this study can also be used to inform the application process for other health professions.