Kelsey Jaeger
Where and what did you study in undergrad?
University of Missouri-Columbia; Major in Biological Sciences and Minor in Chemistry
What drew you to the genetic counseling field?
I learned about genetic counseling at the end of my genetics course in undergrad. I loved my genetics class and after looking into the field, I realized genetic counseling is the perfect combination of genetics and patient advocacy. I want to be in a field where patient autonomy is prioritized and I can be there to support their decisions regarding their genetic healthcare.
Why did you choose Wake?
I was first drawn to the bioethics focus the program has. From the application process through the interview, everyone at Wake made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. I knew I would feel supported by the faculty and have the resources needed to turn myself into an amazing genetic counselor.
What are your future hopes and aspirations as a genetic counselor?
I'm from a small town where a lot of people have never heard of genetic counseling, so I hope to expand access to genetic counseling to those in small towns and rural communities who have limited access to healthcare.
If you could offer a word of advice to prospective students, what would it be?
Be yourself! You are going to be with your program for 2 years, so you want somewhere that will respect you as an individual and where you don't feel like you have to put on an act to fit in. Also, it is okay to start over! You will most likely have multiple drafts of your personal statement and possibly even CV before submitting applications. You don't have to make your first attempt the best one. Sometimes it helps to just get started by writing, even if it means completely scrapping the first couple of drafts. This will help you make something you are proud of and interviews will be so much easier if you are proud of what you wrote about and how far you have came!