Choosing the Right Dietetic Internship
It is important to choose Dietetic Internships that meet your needs. When choosing a DI, consider: location, environment, program type, program emphasis, financial constraints and cost of program, and admission requirements.
Becoming the Best DI Applicant
It is important to start early in preparation for the Dietetic Internship program application process. For more information and suggested areas to gain experience, please see the DPD Handbook. DI programs weigh a number of criteria when evaluating applicants, including:
Academic Performance
A minimum of a 3.0 overall GPR and DPD GPR is required to be considered for admission to a DI program. It is essential for students to confirm that their overall and DPD GPR is above the minimum required by the DI before applying.
Relevant Experience
Applicants with dietetic-related work experience are more competitive than applicants who lack this experience. Some DI programs specifically look for volunteer and internship experience in hospital and health care, food service, and research.
Professional Organization Involvement
DI programs look for students who display leadership and commitment to the dietetic profession through professional organizational memberships and involvement. Attending professional activities and networking events is highly encouraged.
Helpful Documents
The following documents may also be helpful to students as they prepare their DI applications:
- Strengthen Your Opportunities to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (ACEND website)
- Applying to the DI Match (PDF download)
- Interview Preparation (PDF download)