1. How to Succeed on DICAS and Gain an INTERNSHIP
Dr. Rachel Fournet, RDN, LDN
Director of Nutritional Sciences
Ms. Kathryn Fakier, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN
Assistant Director of Nutritional Sciences
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University

2. Where to begin? 5 things you must know…
1. Dietetic internships are very competitive and you
might not get matched. Approximately 50% of students match.
2. The application process starts months, even
years, before the deadline. Relax, you have been working toward
this since you started LSU.
3. All dietetic internships meet the same basic requirements, but have
unique qualities that can make it a better fit for you.
4. Most internships have tuition and fees and are expensive. Very few
have stipends. Prepare financially.
5. Use all the resources available to you to fully understand the
application process.
All Access Internships LLC
Jenny Westerkamp, RD - Founder

3. Start Early- Organization and Planning
Need a solid GPA – 3.0 and higher is better
Take GRE (if required)
Network with Dietitians – learn what you like
Create leadership opportunities
Volunteer, get involved, be active
Have a wide variety of experiences
Jobs are great, but so is volunteering
Take advantage of semester breaks and needs of the community

4. Preparation
Research Dietetic Internships on-line, visit or tour on-site, talk to interns, talk to directors, visit internship recruitment fairs, and attend open houses. Do your homework!! Start early!!
Location, location, location… where is your support?
Make folders for each internship you have selected
Make pro and con list
Consider Internship concentration areas
Study Graduate School opportunities
Investigate rotation sites and specialty areas you are interested in

5. Financial Preparation
Internships are expensive and often you cannot work during the internship because of rotation hours, objectives to complete, and course work.
Cost: Internship fees, DICAS and matching fees, tuition, books, supplies, room and board, moving, travel, conferences/FNCE
Income: Scholarships, savings, loans, part-time jobs
Eatrightfoundation.org offers awards, scholarships and research grants to dietetic students ranging from $500- $10,000
Deadline to apply is March 18

6. Selecting a Dietetic Internship

7. DICAS Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System
DICAS is the on-line centralized internship application for Dietetic Internships.
DICAS will be available after December for the Spring Match. The on-line application must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on February 15th.
The fee to use DICAS is $45.00 for the first application submitted and $20.00 for each additional application.
It can be accessed at: ,

8. D&D Digital
Applicants must also register online for computer matching at
Select dietetic internships in priority choices by 11:59p.m. Central Time on February 15th.
There is a $55.00 computer matching fee.
Do not wait until the last minute and do not assume your request is received until you get a confirmation.
At 12:00am your request will be denied.

9. Completing the Application
References
Personal Statement
Transcripts
Intent to Complete/Verification Forms
Courses & Grades

10. Important Dates for 2018 Spring Match
Description
December 1st
D&D Digital opens to allow applicants to register on their website at
December 12th
DICAS Application opens to allow applicants to begin their application on DICAS application fee for the first designation is $45 and $20 for each additional designation.
February 15th, 2018
D&D Digital Deadline for Registering for Computer Match and Entering Internship Preferences. Applicants must register online at pay the computer match fee ($55) by credit card and enter their contact information and Dietetic Internship preferences by 11:59 pm Central Time
Deadline for Completing DICAS Application. DICAS Application Portal will close. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm CST.
March 26-April 2
Applicants who have registered for the match by February 15, 2018 can reorder Dietetic Internship priority rankings; however, no additional internships can be added to the list. No changes in DI rankings may be made after 11:59 pm Central Time on April 2, If you make other arrangements and will not be able to accept a match that may occur, you must notify D&D Digital in writing of your decision to withdraw from Dietetic Internship matching by April 2, The matching fee is not refundable.

11. Important Dates for 2018 Spring Match
Description
April 8, 2018
SUNDAY
Notification Day- beginning 6:00 PM Central Time Applicant matching results will be posted on from 6:00 PM Central Time, April 8, 2018, through April 9, 2018 (Appointment Day). This is the ONLY source of notification for applicants. Each applicant will receive either ONE MATCH or NO MATCH after Log In. All applicants who receive ONE MATCH will find the matched DI program name and contact information to accept the matched appointment. The MATCHED DI program is planning that the MATCH will be accepted. Matched applicants must contact the DI Program by 6:00 p.m. (time zone of the program), Monday, April 9, 2018 to confirm acceptance of the match. No arrangements should be made with any other DI programs. Applicants who receive NO MATCH will be given other instructions.
April 9, 2018
MONDAY
Appointment Day Matched applicants must contact the Dietetic Internship program by telephone, FAX or on or before 6:00 PM (time zone of the program), April 9, 2018, to Confirm acceptance of the MATCH. After this time, the program is under no obligation to hold the opening for the matched applicant.
April 12, 2018
THURSDAY
After 11:00 am Central Time through June 14, 2018 DICAS Application portal will allow non-matched applicants to update and submit their application.

12. Plan B: Back-Up Plan Second round matching
Begin a Master’s Program – take the GRE over
Make good grades
Take the exam for DTR
Employment in the profession

14. “We are Franciscan”
A private Catholic University founded in as a nursing school
1,600 students, 75 faculty
3 Schools
Nursing
Health Professions
Arts and Sciences
One doctorate degree, five master degrees, seven bachelor degrees and three associate degrees

15. Program Mission
To educate and form entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to meet the core competencies for becoming servant leaders in health and wellness.
With a concentration in community nutrition, graduates will be educated in the most rigorous, individualized, professional, and comprehensive manner. 

16. Dietetic Internship Rotations

21. Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences
Curriculum Outline
Program Length: 17 months
Didactic courses = 1 credit hour = 15 hours
Supervised practice courses = 1 credit hour = 120 hours
Dietetic Internship/Supervised Practice Credit Hours: 12 hours
Master’s Degree coursework credit hours: 24 hours
Total Credit Hours: 36 hours

22. Admission Requirements
BS degree in dietetics from an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics
Verification Statement of DPD completion or Intent to Complete
Overall grade point average of 3.0 with a 3.2 grade point average in undergraduate dietetic didactic coursework
Minimum combined GRE composite score of 290
Completion of DICAS, with a personal statement addressing the following:
Why did you choose dietetics? What sets you apart from other applicants?
List your short and long term goals and strategies for achieving them
What strengths will you bring to the program and what areas will challenge you?
How have your past experiences made you prepared for an internship?
Who has impacted your life the most? How or in what way?
What characteristics of Franciscan University have drawn you to this internship?
Three letters of recommendation from a professor, from an employer and from any other professional
Work experience or volunteer work in dietetics or a related field
Video and/or telephone interview
Registration with D&D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Services for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at
Forty dollar application fee sent to Franciscan University – Nutritional Sciences
Automatic entrance into the MSNS program when a student matches with the dietetic internship through DICAS

23. PROGRAM COST Application to Internship $40 Tuition & Fees
Tuition & Fees
$25,930 (approx.)
AND Student Membership
$65
Transportation (each student is encouraged to have their own vehicle)
$40-50/week (approx.)
Housing
$700-$1,200/month (approx.)
Books (depending on personal resources)
$ /semester (approx.)
Physical Exams
Varies
Immunizations
Level 1 Background Checks
$45
CPR (Basic Life Support)
$65 (approx.)
Uniforms (Lab Coat/Scrubs)
$30-50 (approx. minimum of one each)
AND FNCE (mandatory)
$800-1,200 (cost depends on conference site.)
LAND State Conference
$100

25. @franudieteticinternship