The Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics is proud to announce its membership in the Alliance to Increase Diversity in Genetic Counseling (AID-GC), a new initiative generously supported by The Warren Alpert Foundation (WAF).
Led by The University of Pennsylvania, this grant supports genetic counseling master’s programs at five institutions in the Northeast United States: The University of Pennsylvania, Boston University School of Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and Sarah Lawrence.
Totaling $9.5 million, this WAF grant is the most significant award to support genetic counseling education nationwide. The grant is aimed at increasing diversity in the genetic counseling field, which presently has an urgent need for greater representation among practitioners. Sarah Lawrence’s portion of the grant money totals $1.8 million, which will allow the College to provide a scholarship covering full tuition and living expenses for two students from underrepresented backgrounds for each year over the next five years.
The WAF AID-GC Scholarship
What is it?
Starting with admission in the fall 2022 semester, two genetic counseling students from underrepresented backgrounds will received a scholarship covering full tuition and living expenses.
Who is eligible?
Aimed at increasing diversity in the field of genetic counseling, this scholarship is available to students who represent groups that are currently underrepresented in the field of genetic counseling, such as:
- racial and ethnic minorities
- individuals with disabilities
- first-generation college graduates
- those from low-income backgrounds
How to apply
Follow the regular application process for the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, details of which can be found here. After applicants are selected for an interview as part of the admission process, they will then be given information about several of our scholarships as well as the opportunity to apply to the WAF AID-GC scholarship by writing an essay. The topic of the essay will be (with a 300 word limit): In actively helping to diversify the field, what may be some ways to promote the inclusion of underrepresented voices in genetic counseling in the future?
For any questions about the WAF AID-GC scholarship, please contact Janelle Villiers, Director of Admission, at jvilliers@sarahlawrence.edu.