Clinical Undergraduate Shadowing Program
The Clinical Undergraduate Shadowing Program, or CUSP, is a virtual summer experience in the Livestrong Cancer Institutes at UT Health Austin. Prospective genetic counseling students shadow a genetic counselor for one week, observing telehealth visits, clinical huddles and tumor boards.
About the Experience
The majority of graduate programs in genetic counseling recommend that applicants have shadowing experience, but limited opportunities are often a barrier. The goal of CUSP is to provide prospective genetic counseling students exposure to the role of a genetic counselor in a cancer center. CUSP further aims to increase diversity in the field of genetic counseling by focusing on providing this opportunity to students from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds.
Eligibility
- Candidates must have completed a college-level genetics course before the start of the program.
- Candidates must be upper-level undergraduate students (juniors or seniors) or have already completed their undergraduate degree.
- Candidates must demonstrate that they have explored the field of genetic counseling by speaking to genetic counselors.
- Candidates must show an intention to apply to a graduate program in genetic counseling.
2022 Program Dates
- Application opens: Dec. 17, 2021 by 5 p.m.
- Application due: Feb. 18, 2022 by 5 p.m.
- Students notified of selection: March 11, 2022 by 5 p.m.
Application
The application window for the 2022 Clinical Undergraduate Shadowing Program is now closed. Information about the 2023 program will be added when it is available. For more information or general questions, email the team.
Additional Resources
- Kalisi Logan, M.S., certified genetic counselor at Dell Med and UT Health Austin, is available for virtual informational interviews at 1:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month.
- Schedule an interview on the second Friday of the month.
- Schedule an interview on the fourth Friday of the month.
- The Texas Society of Genetic Counselors is a resource for other internships, workshops and mentoring opportunities for students interested in genetic counseling.
- Interested in receiving emails with other opportunities for prospective genetic counseling students? Subscribe to CUSP’s listserv.