DIETETIC INTERNSHIPS

Introduction
Students planning to become Registered Dietitians need to complete an CADE accredited Dietetic Internship after graduation and prior to taking the National Registration Exam. Increasing the chances of being a successful applicant to a Dietetic Internship begins in the first year of college by working to obtain and maintain the best possible GPA, acquiring extensive volunteer experience, being active in student organizations and working closely with dietetics faculty. Professional behavior is a must.

The first step in the actual process of applying to dietetic internships is to carefully review the current edition of the Directory of Dietetics Programs-Accredited and Approved. The Directory is updated and published each year by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) on the ADA website.

How Do I Apply to Dietetic Internships?
There are two components to the application process.

First, you must request and complete application form and packages for each Dietetic Internship (DI) for which you plan to seek admission. Your academic advisor and Program Director will provide guidance in this process.

The second component is the computer matching process. By mid-November Dietetics Program Directors receive computer matching information from D&D Digital Systems, the company that handles the computer matching process for ADA.  Applicants must register with D&D Digital Systems at their website http://www.dnddigital.com to participate in computer matching for a Dietetic Internship. 

What Is Computer Matching?
Computer is a twice a year matching process that serves as a clearinghouse to help applicants obtain Dietetic Internship positions of their choice and to help Dietetic Internships obtain applicants of their choice. It eliminates unfair pressures and premature decisions on and by programs to accept or reject applicants and it eliminates unfair pressures on applicants to accept or reject an appointment into a Dietetic Internship. ADA has contracted with D & D Digital Systems to facilitate matching through a computerized process.

How Many Programs Can I apply To?
Students may apply to as many programs as they wish. They will need to rank all programs they apply to in order of preference when they register with D & D Digital.

Who Decides Which Individuals Are Accepted to the Program?
Each Dietetic Internship reviews its own applications and submits a of applicants to D & D Digital Systems, along with the number of positions they have to be filled. Computer matching does not change the applicant's or program's selection process so you will not be matched to a program whose name does not appear on your priority listing.

What Process is Used for Matching?
Before matching begins, the applicant priority lists and the Dietetic Internships lists are "cleaned." If a program does not list an applicant, that program will be removed from the applicant's list. If an applicant does not rank a program, the applicant is removed from the program's list. Then, the matching process takes place using the applicant's prioritized list and the programs' list until all possible matches are complete. The process is explained in detail in the "Instructions to Applicants" provided at the D & D Digital Systems website.

How are Applicants Notified of Matches?
On the announced “match day”, applicants use a personalized user name and pin to access the results of the match.  They will be notified that they matched with a specific program and be given contact information and directions for that program.  If they did not receive a match, they are notified of their “no match” status.