Admissions Timeline & the NMS Match

National Matching Services

The UPenn MSGC program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). The Admissions Match was adopted in 2017 to place applicants into positions in master's-level genetic counseling programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling.  Rules and deadlines are determined by the Genetic Counselor Educators Association (GCEA).

Before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs, applicants must first register with NMS to receive their unique Code Number for the upcoming Match. They add the number to their application(s) and use it to submit their own ranked list to NMS in the spring. Applicants can register as early as September and are strongly encouraged to register no later than early December, so as not to miss the December 10th deadline.

NMS charges each applicant a $100 non-refundable registration fee.

Match Fee Waivers

The GCEA will offer a limited number of fee waivers for the 2026 GC Admissions Match.

• Prospective students who demonstrate financial need AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater can apply for a match fee waiver.
• Applicants must apply for the fee waiver BEFORE registering for the GC Admissions Match and no later than the deadline date of Friday, October 3, 2025.
• Prospective students who are applying for a match fee waiver will be required to write a short essay and to upload documentation demonstrating financial need.

For more information on the fee waiver, go to https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/applicants/register.html. 

UPenn MSGC Program Application Fee Waivers

Applicants who are eligible for an NMS fee waiver, McNair Scholars, Fullbright Scholars, UPenn employees, and veterans are also eligible for an application fee waiver from the UPenn MSGC program.  Click here for more information.   

The deadline to apply for the UPenn MSGC program application fee waiver is November 1, 2025.

Ranked Lists and the Match

At the conclusion of program interviews, applicants and programs submit ranked lists of preferences to NMS, following the schedule posted on the NMS website. 

After the deadline for the submission of rank order lists, the NMS applies an algorithm that considers both applicants’ and programs’ preferences.  The binding results of the Match are released to applicants and programs by email simultaneously on a set date in late April.

The NMS website provides more detailed information about the matching process, a video explaining how the algorithm works, and a complete schedule of dates and deadlines.

Timeline for 2026 Admissions