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Graduate Admissions policies & procedures

Committee on Graduate Admissions

The Committee on Graduate Admissions reviews applications using a mission-aligned process. Evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to, the applicant’s experiences, attributes, academic metrics, competencies and alignment with the mission and values of Geisinger College of Health Sciences (GCHS). Such a review allows the Admissions Committee to ensure that students accepted to GCHS undergraduate programs demonstrate a multifaceted congruence with GCHS and are those most likely to succeed academically and fulfill our mission. Read the Mission-Aligned Review Statement.

Application feedback

Due to the nature of our mission-aligned candidate review process, it is not possible for the Committee on Graduate Admissions or the admissions office staff to provide feedback for students who were not offered admission to Geisinger College of Health Sciences.

Student travel statement

Master of Biomedical Sciences

Admission decisions

MBS candidates at Geisinger College of Health Sciences should expect to receive a decision about two to four weeks after their application is complete.
Enrollment deposit and refund policy

Accepted MBS students must submit a $250 enrollment deposit to secure their seat in the program. This deposit is only refundable if you can submit proof of your acceptance into a medical school program.
Applying to medical school

MBS students may apply to medical school while enrolled in the MBS program or upon completion of the program. The faculty and staff at Geisinger College of Health Sciences will support our students' endeavors, regardless of when and where students choose to apply. The MD Admissions Committee will hold applications from current MBS students for two quarters, so their progress at Geisinger can be considered. While the MD Admissions Committee doesn’t specifically reserve spaces in the MD class for MBS graduates, many students have gained admission to the MD program. See more information about MBS students and MD interviews.
Future MD applicants

While Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine does not guarantee seats in the MD class to its MBS graduates, many Geisinger alumni have gained admission to Geisinger Commonwealth’s Doctor of Medicine program.
 
Test scores

Test scores are optional. If you decide to submit scores, the Committee on Graduate Admissions will consider test scores no more than three years old at time of application.
 
Professional School Application Enhancement (Princeton Review)

The Professional School Application Enhancement (Princeton Review) course for preparing to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is a proven means of improving your score. Some students prefer to take these exams in the summer before beginning the MBS program.
 

Master of Genetic Counseling

Overview of the Match

The Genetic Counseling Admissions Match (GC Admissions Match) has been established to place applicants into positions in master’s-level genetic counseling programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). For many years, similar matching programs have been used throughout North America in the annual recruitment of trainees in medicine, psychology, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy and other professions.
Admissions timeline

The Genetic Counseling Admissions Match schedule

  • Sept. 2025: Application opens
  • Interviews begin
  • Interviews conclude
  • Admissions committee review
  • March 23, 2026: Rankings open
    • Applicants and programs may begin to submit Rank Order Lists for the Match using the NMS Match System
  • April 7, 2026: Rank order deadline
    • Final date for submission of applicant and program Rank Order Lists. No Rank Order Lists, applicant or program registrations or withdrawals can be submitted in the NMS Match System after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • April 15, 2026: Match day
    • The results of the Match are released to applicants and programs. No action to fill positions remaining unfilled after the Match is to be taken before noon Eastern Time.
    • Programs must send letters of confirmation to their matched applicants within 10 working days of the release of the results. Matched applicants must return the letter in accordance with the program's instructions within 17 working days of the release of the Match results, not later than May 8, 2026.
  • April 15 – May 31, 2026: Post-Match process
Post-Match process

Following release of the Match results, unmatched applicants are permitted to seek positions and programs are permitted to fill positions that remain available independently of the Match.

May 31, 2026: NMS Match System closes

After this date, information about the results of the Match for applicants and programs, as well as lists of unfilled positions and unmatched applicants, will no longer be available.

 
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