Michigan State University
Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition

This presentation explains the steps of the
dietetic internship application process. Most
internships use the online application system,
DICAS, so that is what will be explained here,
with just a few references to the traditional
paper applications which are still in use in
some places and situations.

Content includes:
◦ Definitions: Terms and abbreviations
◦ Description of the application cycles,
deadlines
◦ Tips on researching where to apply
◦ List and the parts of the application
◦ Signing up for computer matching
◦ Screenshots of the DICAS application
1.
2.
3.
DICAS – “DYE-cass” – the online Dietetic
Internship Centralized Application System
D & D Digital – the computer firm charged
with filling the internship slots through a
national ranking and match process
DPD - Didactic Program in Dietetics – the
institution that provided the required
dietetics coursework (MSU!)
4.
5.
6.
DI – Dietetic Internship
CP – Coordinated Program – both academic
and experiential components in one (e.g.
DPD + DI)
GRE – Graduate Record Exam – required for
applications to some internships and to
nearly all graduate programs.
7.
8.
Declaration of Intent – Document given to
students who are applying to internships
during last semester of DPD. Serves as a
contract with list of classes required for
successful completion of the DPD Program.
Verification Statement – Document issued
after successful completion of bachelor’s
degree and all listed DPD courses. Required
in order to start a DI. MSU mails each
dietetics graduate six original copies after
degree is conferred.

Most internships participate in one (of two)
application cycles/year. A few participate in
both and have overlapping internship groups.
◦ Spring cycle:
 Application deadline on or near February 15
 “Match” announced in April
 Start date usually August or September
◦ Fall cycle:
 Application deadline on or near September 25
 “Match” announced in November
 Start date usually January or February

Many more internships participate in the Spring
cycle than in the Fall cycle.
While this presentation explains the DICAS
process, be aware that a few programs may use
traditional mailed paper applications, such as...
 If the DI program has a pre-select option,
filling some of its slots early with candidates
from its own DPD program…
 If the program is a CP… (Some CPs have
extra internship slots that they are willing to
fill with graduates of DPD programs.)
 If the DI has chosen not to use DICAS…
 Or, if the DI is not participating in D & D
Digital matching…




Use the master list accredited programs on the
website of the American Dietetic Association,
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education,
http://www.eatright.org/cade-di/.
Review the Applicant Guide to Supervised
Practice (large binders in Trout Advising
Center) for answers to yearly questionnaire
filled out by internship program directors.
Examine the websites of individual
internships. Look for “virtual tours”.
Contact internship directors for additional
information.





Talk to last year’s seniors who are currently
on internships.
Discuss with faculty, DPD director, adviser,
parents, dietitians you know, etc.
Go to internship open houses. Or, meet with
DI program directors.
Review the comments on the student-run site
www.allaccessinternships.com.
Prepare a comparison grid to evaluate
internships by desired features (location,
cost, length, MS degree or not, rotations, etc.)


Obtain current application materials or
instructions from DI’s 4-6 months prior to
the computer match in April or November.
While some have complete instructions on
their websites, others expect to send packets
of information by email attachment. If
needed, email each director and ask
questions and/or request more information.
A GRE score may be needed; arrange with
MSU Testing Office to take the exam.
There are 7 parts to the application:
1. DICAS application form
2. Letters of recommendation (3)
3. Transcripts
4. Either Declaration of Intent or
Verification Statement form
5. Resume
6. Personal statement
7. Fees
 Plus, D & D Digital computer matching






The DICAS application becomes available
around December 1 for the Spring Cycle, or
around August 1 for the Fall Cycle.
http://portal.dicas.org
You start by creating an account and being
assigned an account number (no charge).
The application is time-consuming to fill out,
so plan on working on it during multiple
sessions.
You don’t pay anything until you submit the
application to internships.


DICAS uses the term “references” to describe the
people who will submit recommendation forms
and letters for you. You may choose any
professional contacts. At least one each,
employer and faculty member, is suggested. The
3rd could be another of the same, or perhaps a
volunteer supervisor. A R.D. would be good.
Request recommendations at least two months
prior to application deadline. Prepare a packet of
information for each letter writer following the
instructions on the request form. This takes time
– get an early start on it.

Prepare a packet for each reference to help
them write the best possible recommendation.
Include these items:
1. Request for Letter of Recommendation form -
(available in room 106 Trout or emailed from Mrs.
Summers as attachment). Includes instructions.
2. DI Recommendation Form – This form is identical
to what your references will see on the screen as
they access the online recommendation.
3. Self-evaluation of traits – Copy the traits from the
recommendation form and give examples of how
you have developed or demonstrate each trait.
4. Detailed resume of work and volunteer experiences



Ask your references in person or by email if
they would be willing to write a letter of
recommendation for you.
When they say yes, ask if they would like to
meet in person to review your packet, or if
they would rather you just drop it off.
Explain to non-faculty (employers, etc.) that
an official request will come by email from
DICAS with a link, password, and their email
address as their user ID.

Order an official transcript from each college
and university you have attended sent to:
DICAS Transcript Department
PO Box 9118
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
***For faster processing, use both the DICAS
generated transcript order form and the college
or university printed transcript order form.

Meet with Mrs. Summers 1-4 months before
the application is due and fill out a Request
for Declaration of Intent or Verification
Statement. We will use information on the

same request form to mail copies of the
Verification Statement after graduation.
In DICAS, in the Education section, enter the
name of your DPD Director, Dr. Lorraine
Weatherspoon, and her email address, either
weathe43@msu.edu or
weathe43@anr.msu.edu.

In DICAS, click the appropriate icon:
◦ Declaration of Intent – have not graduated yet;
◦ Verification Statement – have graduated.


DICAS will immediately send an email to Dr.
Weatherspoon asking for the form.
Finally, in DICAS, you will need to verify that
the information is correct on the form sent by
Dr. Weatherspoon to DICAS.




DICAS requires that you upload a resume.
Limit the length of the resume to one or two
pages.
Note that the resume that you include in your
packet to your references could be longer and
more detailed, e.g. 2-3 pages. Or, you could
use the same resume for both.
You can get assistance or have your resume
reviewed by the Career Services Network, or
by our college’s Field Career Services
Coordinator, Jill Cords, jcords@msu.edu.


Compose your personal statements, an
individualized one for each internship. The
appropriate length is more than 1 and less
than 3 pages, single-spaced with a blank line
between paragraphs (max: 8000 characters,
approx 1000 words).
Check each internship’s instruction page
carefully to see if they name specific
information to be included in the personal
statement. Some internships ask you to
upload additional information in the form of a
supplement.

DICAS suggests your statement include:
1.Why do you want to enter the dietetics
profession?
2.Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare
you for your career,
3.What are your short-term and long-term goals?
4.What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas
needing improvement?
5.What other information do you consider
important for the selection decision?




Try to make your personal statements
vibrant, interesting, and story-like.
Have everyone you know critique it and check
it for spelling, grammar, and punctuation
errors. Use spell-check but don’t rely on it.
If desired, meet with our Career Coordinator,
Jill Cords, jcords@msu.edu, to review your
personal statement. Dr. Weatherspoon is also
willing to review your final draft.
When you upload to DICAS, name each
version after the internship it is intended for.



Each internship charges a fee ranging from $25 to
$100 to review your application. Mail a check or
money order before the deadline. Include a short
cover letter stating that you have enclosed your
check and thanking them for considering you.
DICAS – When you submit your applications, DICAS
will charge (to your credit card) $40 for the first
application and $20 for each additional.
D & D Digital – One $50 fee for computer
matching, no matter how many internships you
apply to. Online, when you sign up, by credit card.

Instructional video on the ADA website:
◦ http://www.eatright.org/CADE/content.aspx?id=186


The following slides show screen shots of the
DICAS application.
Create Account - http://portal.dicas.org
 (Spring Cycle: on or after December 1)
 (Fall Cycle: on or after August 1)

Your DICAS start-up page will always show:
◦ My Tools - in left navigation pane
◦ Application Checklist – in middle column
◦ Status – on right side
◦ Help – on bottom left – written instructions
Click on “My Application” in left column,
then fill in boxes in center section.
1. Applicant Information
◦ Contact Information
◦ Personal Information
◦ Background Information
◦ Red fields are required
2. Education Information
•
•
•
Colleges Attended – List all colleges
attended, and identify MSU as your
DPD college.
Sessions and Coursework – List all
DPD courses by semesters, including
grades, other details. (Ask Mrs.
Summers if you have questions on this
part.)
Tests – GRE, TOEFL
3. DPD Contact Information:
a. Name of DPD Director Dr. Lorraine Weatherspoon
b. Email - weathe43@msu.edu, or
weathe43@anr.msu.edu
c. Which you need:
- Declaration of Intent
- Verification Statement
4. Other Information:
◦ Awards, Experience, & Volunteer Activities
 This is a huge section that asks specifics about
all of your jobs, etc., including names, contact
info, dates
◦ Personal Statement
 Upload all your personal statements here.
◦ Resume
 Upload a 1-2 page resume here.
◦ References
 List your 3 references (the writers of your letters
of recommendation) and their emails.
D & D Digital divides the computer matching
process into 3 phases:
1. Application Phase

◦ Applicants must register with D & D Digital at
http://www.dnddigital.com/, pay the $50.00
computer matching fee with a credit card, and
submit their prioritized list of dietetic internships
online to D&D Digital before the designated
deadline (February or September).
◦ Applicants should call D&D Digital prior to the
deadline if they do not receive an e-mail with
log-in information.
2.
Computer Matching Phase
◦ If you decide to withdraw from the match
process for any reason, notify D & D
Digital in writing.
◦ If you cannot access the D&D Digital
Internet site to view your personal
matching results on Notification Day,
contact D & D Digital by phone.
3.
Appointment Phase
◦ Applicants who receive a computer match DI
appointment must accept or decline the match by
telephone, email, or fax to the DI Program
Director by 5:00 pm (of the program’s time zone)
on Appointment Day.
◦ Applicants who submitted a Declaration of Intent
for their DI applications must obtain a signed
DPD Verification Statement from their DPD
Program Director and order an official transcript
documenting completion of the bachelor’s degree
before they may begin the DI.
-American Dietetic Association
◦ www.eatright.org
-Accredited Internship Programs (DI’s)
◦ http://www.eatright.org/cade-di/
-Accredited Coordinated Programs (CP’s)
◦ http://www.eatright.org/cade-cp/