A great advantage to the dietetics program at the University of Illinois is FSHN 398, Senior Seminar in Dietetics. This class will prepare you for the process of applying for dietetic internship (DI) programs. This class is a unique experience, which is not generally offered in most DPD programs. Most dietetic students from U of I at Urbana-Champaign have found it to be exceptionally helpful in both understanding the application process as well as preparing all of their application materials. You then prepare your application materials (letters of recommendations, resume, letter of application, ADA application form, etc.) and mail it to the programs before the national deadline.
The information below is purely informative; you will receive all of this information in detail during FSHN 398. The following are details that are part of the application process for dietetic internships and are available as a resource during the dietetic internship application class.
ADA Application Packet includes:
1. ADA Application
The ADA Application is a standardized form that helps the DI selection committees organize and rank your academic and work achievements. The ADA application will be distributed and explained in FSHN 398, but to give an idea of what will be required on the application, it includes:
- undergraduate GPA
- Didactic Program in Dietetics GPA
- graduate school GPA (if applicable)
- GRE score (if applicable/required)
- all colleges/universities attended accompanied by transcripts
- contact information and recommendation forms for individuals providing recommendations
- honors, extracurricular, and volunteer activities not related to dietetics
- nutrition-related volunteer experiences
- paid work experience and key responsibilities (this does not include coursework or work experience where credit was given)
- DPD course work
2. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are required for all internships, however, which type of professional the DIs require letters of recommendations from are usually specific for each internship. Examples of different professionals that may be required include: dietetic program advisors, professors, registered dietitians, employees, etc. The process of asking for a favorable letter of recommendation will be discussed in FSHN 398.
3. Personal Statement
A personal statement is an opportunity to outline your strengths, weaknesses, and professional goals. It is usually required for all DIs, however, the requirements for this statement may vary between programs. Some are general while other internships may want you to answer specific questions. Customize each personal statement for each program as for the reason for which you are interested in applying to the DI will be different.
4. Declaration of Intent to Complete/Verification Statement
Declaration of Intent to Complete is a document that informs the internship programs of the classes that you plan to complete before entering their DI. This is required because some courses may still need to be completed before being eligible for the DI. Once you have completed the courses listed required by the didactic program, you will need to send the DI, which you are accepted, a Verification Statement signed by the didactic program director confirming that the didactic courses were completed.
5. Transcripts
Transcripts must be included from all institutions which you attended if the course was listed in your application/needed to meet didactic course requirement. Even if you only took one course from an institution, it still needs to be included in the application packet. Please remember that most schools require payment for official transcripts.
*Most DIs prefer that you send the transcripts in the packet versus sending the transcripts separately.
Mailing your Application
Double check the deadline on all parts of the application. This includes the D&D computer matching card, DI internship application, and program applications (if a separate application is required for the program such as with graduate school). These all need to be postmarked by the deadline. All the parts of the application should be sent together in on envelope, it looks unorganized to send separate portions and it also increases the likelihood that the DI will lose part of your application.
Interviews
Interviews are becoming increasingly more popular in the application process for DIs. If a program requires interviews they will contact the applicant. Not all programs require interviews, but if the program does, it will either be in-person or via telephone. It is best to have an in-person interview if it is an option. This not only gives you an opportunity to visit the facility and meet possible future colleagues, but the internship will know that you are seriously invested in their program. Obviously, if you are applying to many out-of-state internships, it may not be monetarily feasible to interview in-person to all of the programs.
When preparing for the interview, remember that the formats for the interview will vary. When scheduling an interview it is important to learn as much as possible about the format. For example:
- Will you be asked personal questions, nutrition questions, or both?
- Who is conducting the interview, the internship director, human resources, or a group?
On the day of the interview, make sure to:
- Dress appropriately
- Be on time
- Come with a list of questions that you have about the program (that is not already provided on website)
- Bring portfolio prepared in FSHN 398
- Visit the career center for practice interviews and practice interview questions on their website
Computer Matching
Accredited dietetic internships are required to select applicants through computer matching. This process is conducted by D&D Digital Systems, and will have separate computer matching processes for the spring and fall ADA dietetic internship application deadlines. The application to apply for computer matching will be provided during FSHN 398.
Computer matching allows dietetic internship placement to be a rank order list completed by both the applicant and program which allows applicants to obtain supervised practice positions of their choice and the DIs to obtain applicants of their choice. From the computer matching process, the applicants receive only one position with their highest ranked program that offers the applicant a position. The D&D computer matching card should be sent via certified mail or submitting online.
A login and password will be issued to each applicant prior to Match Day. Applicants who match to a program must contact the DI director within 48 hour of Match Day to accept or decline.