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Medical College of Wisconsin Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop

The Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop (GC-CREW) is offered by the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program (MSGC) at the Medical College of Wisconsin. This is a free workshop that is offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer terms for undergraduates, recent graduates and those interested in pursuing a career in genetic counseling. The mission of this virtual group workshop is to increase accessibility to genetic counseling, as well as to increase diversity within the field.

The GC-CREW is intended for individuals who would like to gain an in-depth exposure to the field and are interested in becoming a genetic counselor. The objectives are:

  • Learn more about the career of a genetic counselor and the prenatal, cancer and cardiovascular genetics specialties.
  • Identify the components of a genetic counseling session.
  • Illustrate basic genetic counseling concepts.
  • Gain a deeper appreciation for the patient experience.
  • Develop presentation and communication skills.
  • Offer mentorship for graduate school applications.
  • Provide networking opportunities with peers as well as genetic counselors.

The virtual experience will include the following responsibilities for participants:

  • Developing personal goals for the internship, participating in a mid-point and final evaluation with workshop director.
  • Case preparation, including reviewing patient mock charts, reading medical literature on a weekly topic, researching relevant genetic conditions, identifying provider and patient appropriate resources.
  • Constructing and interpreting family history pedigrees.
  • Observing standardized patient genetic counseling sessions, documenting analysis of the sessions and discussing reflections.
  • Reading and presenting a scientific article to summarize key points and relevance to the genetic counseling field.
  • Completing a mock session, role playing the part of the genetic counselor and patient.
  • Questions or requests for additional information can be directed to gccrew@mcw.edu or (414) 955-5865.

  • Spring 2025 Application opens 8/16, closes 12/15
  • Summer 2025 Application opens 12/16, closes 5/1
  • Fall 2025 Application opens 5/2, closes 8/15






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GC-CREW Application Information

The Genetic Counseling Career Research and Exploration Workshop (GC-CREW) values the unique backgrounds, experiences, and identities of all people, in alignment with our mission to "increase accessibility to genetic counseling, as well as to increase diversity within the field.” With this lens, we wish to admit individuals to our program from a variety of perspectives with strengths in various areas.

We encourage applicants to share how their personal identities and backgrounds have influenced their experiences and affected their lives. We recognize the responsibility we have to utilize this information in an equitable and just approach to the holistic admissions process.


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Eligibility

The requirements for this workshop include:

  • Applicants must be undergraduates (in their junior or senior year) or individuals who have completed their bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing a career in genetic counseling.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Currently enrolled or completed a college level biology course, preference may be given to applicants who have also taken genetics coursework.
  • High-speed internet access and computer with web-camera.

Application Requirements & Timeline

 Please review the table below for the Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop application deadlines and start dates:

Workshop Cycle

Application Deadline

Workshop Day/Times

Start Dates

Summer 2024

05/01/2024

Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (CT)

Mid-June

Fall 2024

08/15/2024

Mid-Sept
  Spring 2025     12/15/2024    Day - TBD, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm   February

 

*Official start date for each workshop will be provided during the application process or confirmed by contacting gccrew@mcw.edu.

Supplemental Application Requirements:

  • CV/Resume, highlighting your relevant genetic counseling exposure, shadowing, or other relevant experiences in which you have participated.
  • Unofficial Transcripts from current and any previously attended colleges/universities.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation.
    • One of the two letters of recommendation must be written by a current or previous college professor, advisor, or tutor.
    • Letters of recommendation written by family members will not be accepted.

All supplemental application documents (i.e., resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation) can be submitted via email to gccrew@mcw.edu.

All application materials must be received by 12:00 pm (Noon) CT on the application deadline.

Workshop Length

The Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop is a 3-hour group workshop session one day per week for 10 weeks (30 hours total). Additionally, there may be up to 1 hour of independent study each week outside of workshop time. All content will be virtual, so participants do not need to reside in the Milwaukee area to participate.

International Students
International students residing within and outside of the US may apply to the Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop, as this is a virtual workshop.

Workshop Faculty and Staff

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Sarah Linn, MS, CGC

Workshop Director

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Nathaniel L. Conley, MS, CGC

Certified Genetic Counselor

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Jennifer Geurts, MS, CGC

Assistant Professor; Program Director, Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program

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Mackenzie Drozdowicz, MS

Education Program Coordinator III

Program Contact Information

Sarah Linn, MS, CGC

slinn@mcw.edu

gccrew@mcw.edu

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