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Ash 🧬 | Genetic Counseling Applicant

@ashdoesgc

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Application & Genetics education ✍️
Come with me on my way to genetic counseling!
Study playlist ⬇️

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Wow, crazy few weeks! Got moved into my new place and started classes.

They really hit the ground running here! First quiz (Molecular, Cell, and Genomic Functions) was on Friday, with 286 slides of content 😭 Pretty overwhelming, but my cohort and our second years are wonderfully supportive.

This class is going to be my only class for the next few weeks — then it’s onto anatomy, biostats, and a topics in GC class. Wish me luck!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #studentlife #gradschool by @ashdoesgc

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a year ago

Hey everyone! Sorry I’ve been away for a little while 😅

I’m not ashamed to admit that after I got my match, I totally turned into a puddle. Dragged myself through finals, but here we are! Getting onboarded for actual GC school! Aaah!!!

I haven’t been totally idle, though. I graduated (yay!), did some travelling to China to see family and to Toronto for a grad trip with friends; and got my apartment packed up to move. I’m so excited — and a little scared, really — to get my first year started with you all!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent #studentlife by @ashdoesgc

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a year ago

It’s DNA Day! On this day in 1953, Watson and Crick published their paper, Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids, in the journal Nature. The paper drew heavily from the work of Rosalind Franklin and her students; their work was uncredited in the publication.

This month is also the anniversary of the announcement of the first “complete” iteration of the human genome project in 2003! The project, conducted over 13 years, has enabled us to research genetic diseases, traits, and treatments with more precision than anyone could have possibly imagined in the years before.

There’s lots of fun DNA day events being hosted around the globe, like the NGRHI’s annual event. Anyone planning to attend any?

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #biologystudent #dna #dnaday #rosalindfranklin #humangenomeproject by @ashdoesgc

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a year ago

MOUNT SINAI!!!

Oh my god. Sinai was my first pick, and here it is! I genuinely feel dizzy (and maybe need a lie down). So grateful and excited to be attending such an amazing program!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent #match2025 by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

With match day coming up (eek!) you might be wondering — what are my options if I don’t match? So, a quick brief on the post-match process!

There usually aren’t many (if any) spots that are available this way, but it’s always good to know your options. Best of luck to everyone next week!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

Just a quick reminder that final Ranking lists must be submitted by TONIGHT! Get those last-minute changes certified soon!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent #nmsmatch by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

The lack of activity between my interviews and match day is killing me 🥲 Anyone else going a little stir crazy?

CREATIVE PROJECTS
I love to write, but creative inspiration is a little hard to come by after you’ve written 20+ application essays. I’ve been taking a break from writing, but it’s finally time to get back to it!

HEALTH
All this time at my desk has really taken a toll on my back 😅 I started doing Yoga again, which has been great for my body and my stress levels — even if my cat loves to interrupt!

JOB APPLICATIONS
Fighting fire with fire, I guess? A spot in the match isn’t guaranteed, so I’m hedging my bets by submitting some GCA and lab assistant applications while I wait. Definitely not the most fun thing to do, but it’s probably the responsible thing to do. I think.

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent #stressmanagement by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

Some considerations of mine as the rankings get underway!

Since the actual class content of each program tends to be pretty similar, my attention has turned towards rotations as a big point of difference. And, of course, my feelings about the interview! Sometimes a gut feeling is all you need.

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent #nmsmatch #geneticcounselingapplications by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

Scary times, huh?
I’ve definitely been feeling paralyzed by everything coming through on the news. But despair is the enemy of action, so we press on!

I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to keep myself from spiraling — thank you, app limits! Some days, that means something sweet; on others, a long call with my friends to try to lay down some of the grief.

But really, I’ve found solid ground in actionability: my volunteer work, supporting the people around me, and finding ways to keep fighting. If you’re in this field, you know how important it is to take care of ourselves and each other — so pause for a moment and make it happen.

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent #unprecedentedtimes by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

So… what were my impressions of interviews?

CONTENT: Most of the interviews were much less science heavy than I anticipated! I reviewed a lot of science knowledge, but it really wasn’t asked about at all. I also only got one ethical question.
Interests & Experiences: The interviews focused much more on the work experiences I’ve had and what I took away from them, particularly in the advocacy sense. I was also asked a lot about what my interests were: GC specialties, research areas, why I decided on genetic counseling.
VIBE: Very casual! The interviewers were all very friendly. I went into my first zoom interview expecting more of a “true interview”, but that ended up being pretty stilted. I treated the others more like a conversation with a classmate or colleague, and I feel like those went much better!
STUDENT TALKS: These ended up influencing my opinions about each program MUCH more than I expected! Hearing about the support that students got (or didn’t get) from their faculty and school communities helped me realize what I needed from my school. The group style of these events also helps, since other people will always ask questions that you’ve never thought of.

All in all, I got a really positive feeling from all of the programs I interviewed with. It’s been a stressful time to be sure, but I think I’m proud of the work I did, and with how I was able to present myself. Now we’ve just gotta wait!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #gradschool #applyingtogradschool #biologystudent by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

Interview season is finally coming to a close!

I was incredibly fortunate to get a number of interview offers this cycle. It’s definitely a stressful process, but the people I met in the interviews were all wonderfully warm and friendly :)

I also made the unexpected choice to decline an interview from Penn. Even though I was excited to apply, being a queer person of color means that things like DEI are doubly important to me. I understand that the Penn GCP probably has no power over the school’s policies, but it was important to me that my program could support me fully — so I declined my interview.

But in any case — one way or another, I’m done for the season! I hope that everyone else in this cycle has gotten their answers by now. And if you need someone to celebrate or commiserate with, my DMs are open!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #gradschool #gradschoolapps #student #futuregc by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago

A brief event roundup for the month of March! Somehow I forgot that the ACMG clinical genetics meeting is also happening this month from 3/18-22 🤦🏻‍♀️ But in any case — the IIHG and ESHG have very cool webinar series coming up, so keep an eye out!

#geneticcounseling #genetics #student #genechat #events #gradschool by @ashdoesgc

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2 years ago