“Competition for Dietetic Internships is extremely fierce.” Quoted directly from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics EatRightPro.org article on, Suggestions to improve your chances at getting a dietetic internship program.

The Academy knows getting into an internship is challenging. Internship directors also know it’s hard. So how does one optimize their chances of landing a spot of about 12 to 13 people when 100 people apply? NutritionJobs caught up with Dietetic Internship Directors and they shared their top tips on how to get into a dietetic internship.

How to Get Into a Dietetic Internship

There are basics to consider to get into a Dietetic Internship. These are the minimum requirements, even though it's a lot!

1. A GPA of 3.0 or above
2. Prior experience in dietetics/nutrition, as paid work or as volunteer work or interning (separate from the Dietetic Internship)
3. Writing a compelling personal statement telling why you want to be a Registered Dietitian and why they should choose you for their program
4. Getting positive 3-4 Letters of Recommendations, usually from at least two dietetics professors and one dietetics employer
5. Leadership experience, in extracurricular activities, positions, or highlighting anything related to the field of dietetics, clinical practice, private practice, food service, or community service

How To Standout to Get a Dietetic Internship

But if you really want to stand out (and you'll need to stand out from the over populated applicant crowd) this is what you need to do:

1. Be strategic during your undergraduate experience. “Be strategic and intentional in your pathway to a dietetic internship even as early as your Freshmen year. Reach out to professors and ask them how you might gain nutrition experience outside of the classroom. Try to get a leadership position with your student nutrition club,” advises Pao Ying Hsiao, PhD, RDN, LDN, Graduate Program Coordinator for the MS in Food and Nutrition at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
2. Make connections with your undergrad professors. “Build relationships with your professors so they can get to know you and write you a rich, unique letter of recommendation, which will help you stand out from your peers,” explains Hsiao.
3. Get experience. “Having dietetics-related work and/or volunteer experience is really important prior to applying to a dietetic internship. This experience shows not only your interest in the field, but can also demonstrate that you have utilized interpersonal skills, are organized, and understand what it is like to work in the field of dietetics,” instructs Wanda Siu-Chan, MS, RD, Dietetic Internship Director at San Francisco State University. Nadine Braunstein, PhD, RD, FAND, Dietetic Internship Director at California State University, Sacramento, also confirms to “start getting volunteer and paid experience related to dietetics throughout your college years, and thoroughly describe what you did on the DICAS application. Your resume is posted at the end of the application and you want the reader to get excited about you when they start reading your DICAS application, which is where these descriptions are placed.”
4. Take an extra year after undergrad before applying to an internship. “It is very challenging to ‘do it all’ well, and maintaining a strong GPA is also really important. If you can't ‘do it all’ by going to school, working, and volunteering at multiple locations, focus on school. Then, take a year off to get work experience and earn some money. Apply to internships the following year,” recommends Siu-Chan.
5. Follow the instructions. “Be sure that you have answered the prompts for the personal statement and included any additional information required by each program when applying,” informs Braunstein. Making sure everything has been correctly submitted is imperative.
6. Submit the best personal statement. “Keep the reader in mind while writing the personal statement. Revise. Revise. Revise your personal statement,” advocates Braunstein. Every internship is different and each personal statement submitted should cater to the goals and settings of that specific internship while also highlighting your existing accomplishments, what you can do to enhance the program, and how the program will further your future career.
7. Stellar interview. “If you have an interview (in-person, Zoom, or phone) be sure to dress as if you are at a very important job interview. Because this IS an important interview,” emphasizes Braunstein. When you dress the part, you act the part. Keep a professional demeanor and you will stand out and be remembered.

Letters of Recommendation

Each Dietetic Internship requires 3-4 letters of recommendation from faculty to accompany your application. Secure those letters of recommendation early and give them amply time to complete the forms. You can also consider giving yourself a buffer between when you ask them to complete the letter of recommendation and when you plan on hit submit on your Internship application.

The Application Insider with dietitian Nicole Vance, has a comprehensive podcast episode, #23, all about Letters fo Recommendation.

What to Share

You can help out your teacher by giving them a "cheat sheet" about you.

1. Why you want to attend the Internship
2. Your past experience
3. Your awards and honors
4. Your strengths
5. Your weaknesses or areas for improvement and how you work to overcome them to succeed
6. Relevant coursework

Personal Statement

This is a super important part of your application. Here's a checklist from All Access Internships. Application Insider has a checklist here too.

Before You Submit Your Application

Have someone look over and review your complete application. Maybe a few times! They can confirm you have included all the necessary information while also editing your work.

Our friend Jenny Westercamp at All Access Dietetics has a super successful program guiding you to getting matched to a dietetic internship with her Getting Matched Course on All Access Dietetics. Get a 20% discount on the Get Matched course with our affiliate link.*

For more related articles and resources, check out:

Dietetic Career Trends in 2020

Highest Paid Dietetic Jobs

NutritionJobs Dietetic Job Search Planner for 2020

NutritionJobs Dietetic Resume Guide

Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist specializing in Weight Management and Sports Nutrition for youth and adults. She writes articles for multiple publications, provides customized nutrition coaching, and is a brand spokesperson. She is founder of MIJA, a superfood supplement company, and Haumea Health, a fertility wellness clinic. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.