I will be a senior this fall at a small college in Maryland. I've always wanted to go to grad school but until recently I didn't know what for. It's taken a while but I'm finally sure about what I want to do, where I want to go, and how I want to get there. The only problem is that the ultimate decision is no longer up to me.
I love biology, genetics to be specific, and I guess that makes me a geek but I wear the title proudly (mainly because some of the most interesting people that ever lived were undeniable, certifiable geeks to the 100th power lol). I did a couple of research interns that centered in the lab and although I gained valuable experience, the human interaction left something to be desired. If I didn't have a mentor and a few kick ass labmates, I would've gone crazy. That summer I realized that lab research was my last resort. I explored alternative careers for biology majors but the others didn't look that much more promising. I never wanted to be a doctor or nurse, and if research was on the back burner, what in the world was left for a bio major?
A high school religion teacher had told me about genetic counseling and for some reason it stuck with me. Out of pure desperation of no longer having a career path to pursue, I started to do research on the profession. I liked what I saw and replied sharply to my mother the next time she asked if I finally knew what I was going to do with my life "I want to be a genetic counselor". One of the biggest appeals to the job was the puzzled look on just about everyone's face that I've talked to about it. I love to see the wheels turning in their heads as if I've started to speak in a foreign language or asked them to do calculus. But seriously.. Genetic counseling combines science and human contact, so I won't be stuck in a lab watching my gym and bronzer bills skyrocket.
The best way to explain the profession is by using a real world example. If your mom has a disease that is genetic or maybe even your partner, and you wanted to know the risks of passing on the disease or let's say you're already pregnant and you still want to know; you would go to a prenatal genetic counselor. Now this of course is a small scope of career choices offered a genetic counselor. With the MS in Genetic Counseling the possibilities, as I found out at a genetic counseling event held by Sarah Lawrence, are endless. You can go into cancer, industry, pediatric, artificial reproductive technology etc.. And if by chance you didn't like any of the established fields, you can pave your own way. Because GC is relatively new, there are still many places in the country that don't offer the services.
So what's the catch right.. Oh believe me it's a good one. Because GC is a relatively new field, there are only 32 schools in the country that offer the program. On top of that most of the schools only take about 4-6 people each year. Sarah Lawrence in New York was the first to have a program, and has the largest class at 23, but in the grand scheme of things that's not big at all. I made a 10 school list of the ones I'm considering with the thought that the more places I apply the better chance I'll get in
Since the odds of getting into these schools are pretty slim, even if I apply to 10, I was left asking one all important question "What can I do to make myself a better candidate?". I thought about the obvious, doing service and scoring well on the GRE's but to be one of the six that simply won't be enough. I need to go over board. I mean so overboard that admissions will want to impress me. Go big or go home. I want my app to paint the picture of a well rounded individual that is socially aware, hardworking, artistic, dedicated, organized and most importantly someone they won't regret letting in!!
So here the plan 'signaling you to crouch in closer as I look behind my shoulder to make sure the coast it clear'. I made a list of things to fill my hobbies and activities section. Over the next few months I'll work on volunteering and studying for the GRE's, but also during this time I'm going to fit in all the new things I wanted to try on my list. By the end of the summer I should be close to fluent in spanish, painting, proficient in photoshop, and practicing tai-chi or karate but that's just to name a few. I know this might seem silly at first but the fact is that admissions like people that are different. They want to see applicants that are interesting, that have their hands in more than one cookie jar. By the end of the summer hopefully I'll be that applicant! So wish me luck and join me in my quest appropriately deemed: Project Grad School!! Next landmark: The GRE's
