Prompt: Submit a supplemental writing piece titled ‘Current Challenge in Systems Genomics’.
Systems genomics refers to the use of advances in genomic technologies to understand how genetic variation interacts with complex biological systems to influence health, development, and disease. The field continues to expand in clinical relevance and has important implications for the future of genetic counseling.
In no more than one page length, identify a current challenge in systems genomics that you find particularly relevant to genetic counseling, and support your discussion using a specific scientific article of your choosing. Your response should include:
- A clear summary of the article in your own words, highlighting the main issue, findings, or argument it presents.
- An analysis of the challenge described—consider how the issue impacts patients, families, or clinical practice; how robust the evidence is; or what gaps or controversies remain.
- Your personal reflection on why this topic resonates with you, and how it informs your understanding of the role of genetic counselors in a genomics-driven world.
We suggest you choose a topic that speaks to a personal interest of yours in the world of genomics and genetic counseling. Examples of topics explored in the past include:
Looking at a specific genetic disorder and how our understanding of its underlying etiologies and pathogenesis has evolved in recent years
Exploring the societal and personal impact of the advent of personal genome testing available direct-to-consumer
New practices in assisted reproductive technology and interpretation of genetic testing results from pre-implantation genetic screening
Please choose a recent (published within the past 3 years), publicly available article. You do not need access to paid journals. We encourage the use of freely available, reputable sources including but not limited to those available via PubMed Central (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/) or other
Include the full citation and/or working link to the article you selected.
You may consult credible sources to support your thinking, but your writing must be entirely your own. We are interested in your ability to interpret scientific information, think critically, and connect this issue to your personal and professional goals—not in a polished summary from an AI LLM or external writer.
Formatting instructions for this document can be found here.
**A Note On This Prompt**
It came to our attention that as of the week of December 8th, 2025, when logged into the application system itself, the above prompt contained slightly different instructions (an older version from past cycles). These instructions have since been updated in the system to match the instructions above.
We acknowledge that this timing of an update to instructions in the system, given the upcoming application due date and holiday season, is not ideal for those who have already completed their submission or were in process of writing this piece. With this being said, we will be accepting essays written in response to either the original prompt or the updated prompt above. Both versions are considered complete and acceptable submissions and there will be no negative impact upon an application regardless of the prompt used.
If you have already submitted your application with an essay responding to the old prompt (not the one above) and would prefer to revise it to address the new prompt, you are welcome to do so. Simply email your revised essay to maria.gyure@uconn.edu directly, and we will update your application file accordingly.