Genetic counseling student characteristics may be evolving with the expansion and diversification of the genetic counseling field. We compared characteristics and previously accrued experiences of genetic counseling students enrolled in the 2018–2019 academic year with genetic counseling students surveyed by Lega et al. (Journal of Genetic Counseling, 14, 395; 2005). Four‐hundred thirty students completed a survey (60% response rate) assessing demographics, select application experiences, encouragement and discouragement to apply to genetic counseling programs, and career certainty and motivations. Data analyses comprised descriptive statistics, content analysis of open‐ended responses, and t tests and chi‐square tests to compare responses to variables also assessed by Lega et al. Similarities between the two cohorts included most students being female, White/Caucasian, and biology majors; they reported a similar amount and type of support and discouragement; and they had strong career certainty. Salient group differences included the current cohort having a larger proportion of males (8% versus 3%; p=.007), greater percentage of parent(s) with a high socioeconomic status (SES; 31% versus 17%; p=.005), a lower first application cycle acceptance rate (71% versus 80%; p<.001), and they were more strongly influenced to pursue genetic counseling by future income (p<.001), desire to help others (p=.002), the profession's prestige (p<.001), and programs’ 2‐year duration (p<.001). Students applied to an average of six programs during their first application cycle and paid, on average, $1,648 for all application and interview expenses in their acceptance year. A vast majority (99%) had advocacy experiences (most commonly crisis intervention) and shadowing opportunities (94%), and 26% worked as genetic counseling assistants prior to their acceptance. Most students were interested primarily in cancer genetics at the time of survey completion. The genetic counseling field should continue efforts to improve racial and gender diversity and identify ways to increase program accessibility/affordability for individuals at all SES levels.

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遗传咨询学生人口统计：两个队列的实证比较

随着遗传咨询领域的扩展和多样化，遗传咨询学生的特征可能会发生变化。我们将 2018-2019 学年注册的遗传咨询学生的特征和先前积累的经验与 Lega 等人调查的遗传咨询学生进行了比较。(遗传咨询杂志, 14, 395; 2005)。四百三十名学生完成了一项调查（60% 的回应率），评估人口统计、选择申请经验、鼓励和劝阻申请遗传咨询计划，以及职业确定性和动机。数据分析包括描述性统计、开放式回答的内容分析和t检验和卡方检验来比较对变量的反应也由 Lega 等人评估。两个队列之间的相似之处包括大多数学生是女性、白人/白种人和生物学专业的学生；他们报告了类似数量和类型的支持和劝阻；他们有很强的职业确定性。显着的组别差异包括当前队列中男性比例较大（8% 对 3%；p = 0.007）、具有较高社会经济地位的父母百分比（SES；31% 对 17%；p = .007）。 005），较低的首次申请周期接受率（71% 对 80%；p <.001），并且他们更强烈地受到未来收入 ( p <.001)、帮助他人的愿望 ( p=.002)、专业的声望 ( p <.001) 和项目的 2 年持续时间 ( p <.001)。学生在第一个申请周期内平均申请了六个课程，并在录取年度平均支付了 1,648 美元的所有申请和面试费用。绝大多数 (99%) 有倡导经验（最常见的危机干预）和影子机会 (94%)，26% 在被接受之前担任遗传咨询助理。大多数学生在调查完成时主要对癌症遗传学感兴趣。遗传咨询领域应继续努力改善种族和性别多样性，并确定提高所有 SES 级别个人的计划可及性/负担能力的方法。