The Instructions for the statement of purpose from the program are below (I am applying to the Masters in Genetic Counseling Program):
Please respond to the following. Your statement can be up to 500 words in length. You do not need to answer every question; focus on the elements that you feel are most relevant to your candidacy.
What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in your specified degree program? Describe your area(s) of interest, including any subfield(s) or interdisciplinary interests.
What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Have your experiences led to specific or tangible outcomes that would support your potential to contribute to this field (examples: performances, publications, presentations, awards or recognitions)?
What additional information about your past experience may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study? For example, you may wish to describe research, employment, teaching, service, artistic or international experiences through which you have developed skills in leadership, communication, project management, teamwork, or other areas.
Why is this graduate program to which you are applying is the best place for you to pursue your academic goals? If you are applying for a research masters or doctoral program, we encourage you to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty mentors.
What are your plans for your career after earning this degree?
The narrative that I really want to tell is that I have always been passionate about science and specifically science education. I went to graduate school with the hope of heading up my own research lab someday but found that when I was “at the bench” I was not satisfied and felt most fulfilled when I was in a setting where I was working to educate and inspire others about why science matters. I left graduate school to pursue teaching at the high school level full-time. I spent 10 years dedicating myself to making young people more science literate but also helping them to see the importance of science in their everyday life–how it is critical for them to understand the biology that makes them up (DNA, proteins, how inheritance works) and not simply be passive participants in their own health (especially with all the technology available now like 23 & me). Over the years I have found myself missing being more immersed in current science at a slightly higher level.
I had the privilege of working with a genetic counselor when I went through BRCA testing because of my familial history of breast cancer and supporting my siblings as they went through the same testing.
I have also had close friends work with prenatal genetic counselors to help them navigate some of their genetic risk factors. These experiences have opened my eyes to the field of genetic counseling as a career where I could marry my love for science education with my desire to be in a career in a field that is concerned with current and evolving scientific discoveries to help people make the best healthcare decisions for themselves and/or their families.
I think mostly focusing on the prompt about experiences and focusing on the fact that I’ve had experience both in as graduate school studying gene regulation and as a teacher that make me a good candidate for a genetic counseling program.
In terms of plans for a career after I know that I would like to work in a clinical setting but am undecided on a particular focus yet.
I am attaching my CV so you can see my educational and work background.
Last Completed Projects
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