An ISPP is another route you can take to accomplish your supervised practice and become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Let’s break it down.
Have you heard of ISPPs?
Have you heard of ISPPs? ISPP stands for Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway. They are an option for those that don’t get matched, and many people don’t fully understand how they work. Completion of an ISPP can still provide you with experience so you can sit for the national exam and become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shares more about ISPPs here. We’re sharing a few tips on how to prepare for ISPP applications:
1) Research.
Just like traditional DIs, ISPP programs will have their own application requirements. Some ISPPs require a Ph.D!
2) Contact Directors.
Introduce yourself and have questions prepared that are not already answered on the program’s website.
3) Secure preceptors.
ISPP tracks are a similar model to distance dietetic internships. While preceptor searching is a lot of upfront work, the benefit is being able to CHOOSE your own preceptors and create your own schedule. Click HERE to learn five strategies for finding preceptors.
4) Keep an open mind.
Click HERE to read a 2017 success story and how the Purdue ISPP helped Natalie finally become an RD! An ISPP is a great option for you to stay on track and achieve your goal of becoming an RD.
P.S. ARE YOU IN YET? The Get Matched Course is a 17-module e-course to walk you through EVERY step of the application process and increase your chances of landing a dietetic internship.
With a match rate of less than 50%, It is difficult to get a dietetic internship these days. What can you do to stand out among the competition?
You hear about getting a lot of experience and keeping your GPA as high as possible, but what else can you do to land the dietetic internship of your dreams? After coaching hundreds of students individually, I have seen some strategies, both major and minor, that have helped students gain the edge they needed to get into a dietetic internship. Here are my top 5 unconventional tips for getting matched:
1. Make sure your personal statement is not generic.
You don’t want your personal statement to look like ANYONE could write it. Answer each question in a way that only you can. Too often, I see letters that are generic and the answers are not well thought out. It will take a lot of brainstorming to decide how to creatively answer each question, but directors will be able to tell that you put in this extra effort!
2. Every sentence of the personal statement sells you in a convincing way.
Many students have a hard time really “selling” themselves. They feel like they are bragging, and it is uncomfortable. But, guess what? If you don’t tell them how great you are, they will never know! There needs to be concrete examples and evidence to back up your skills and preparation. If you don’t do this, the selection committee will not be totally convinced you would do well in their internship.
3. You have clear goals, and include leadership goals.
Many times I read the goals paragraph of personal statements and they are very general or wishy-washy. Students will say that they are interested in a wide variety of areas and they will use the internship to decide what is best. While this seems like a safe approach, it is better to commit to clear, specific goals then to leave it open-ended or unoriginal. For example, having your short-term goal be to get an internship and a long term goal to become a dietitian will NOT set you apart from the rest. Maybe you don’t know exactly what you want to do, but you want to show the selection committee that you have some idea of the direction your career could go. This really shows how passionate you are for reaching some of these goals in the future and how passionate you are about becoming a dietitian. Bonus points if you share some ways you hope to be a leader in the field–what internship doesn’t want to train future leaders!?
4. Your DICAS is free of any grammar or formatting errors.
Simple mistakes, incomplete sections, and grammatical errors can all leave a bad impression on the person reviewing your materials. With competition so fierce, you don’t want something that is easily avoidable to ruin your hard work of getting good grades and finding awesome experience. Our coaches find an average of 20 mistakes with every DICAS Review coaching service they do. Make sure you get your application materials reviewed by someone. Print out all your materials and review slowly to catch any errors. It helps to not wait until the last minute, too!
5. You explain why you want to go to that specific program.
Don’t use reasons like, “the variety of rotations,” or, “a fantastic teaching hospital,” to describe why you want to go to the program. Rather, choose specific rotations that line up with your own experiences and goals. If you can’t think of 3 good reasons, then consider whether or not that really is the right program for you, or get help from a coach! Of course, if you are limited to certain internships by location or cost, then this may not be as possible to do, but at least explain what unique factors about their program you are most interested in. And yes, you can have slightly different versions of your personal statement for each program you apply to!
Beginning the journey as an RD2be is no easy feat, but it is even more difficult with a family of your own. One mother shares her experience below.
Being an #rdtobe can be tricky sometimes. Making time for homework, studying, volunteering, and working can be a balancing act, but add parenting on top of that? Moms and dads take it to a whole new level when it comes to juggling parenting and schoolwork. Mom Lisa Gonzalez, BS-NDTR, was invited to share her sources of inspiration throughout her journey as a DPD student, diet tech, and future R.D.!
#rd2be Parents: Let’s Remember Why We Went Back to School
I am not yet an R.D. and just beyond graduation, in limbo awaiting Match Day for an internship opportunity. Fingers crossed! I am also a mom who frequently asks herself, “Why did I go back to school?”, “Why did I choose one of the most competitive programs out there?”, “WHY DID I THINK I COULD DO THIS?”. Let us remember why we chose this grueling path to become an R.D. as it is easy to get lost in the weeds of school, work, volunteering, raising a family, extra-curricular activities, pick-ups and drop-offs, household chores, and the to-do list goes on and on and on.
We do it for our family!
There are many reasons why #rd2be parents make the life-altering decision to go back to school, and they all stem from a single root, we all do this to better our families. I used to work in retail, and my hours were long and included nights, weekends, and holidays. I also traveled, which kept me away from my family for days at a time. My goal in my career change is to be home at night to eat dinner with my family and, on weekends, be there for their soccer games. This is my motivation. Right now, we are putting in the long hours in school, studying, and taking any opportunity to gain nutrition-related experience, but it will all be worth it!
Who better to advise about healthy choices and working them into your busy schedule than a MOM!
Rd2be parents are the most time-efficient people I know. I juggle many roles in a day, oscillating between mother, wife, friend, daughter, student, volunteer, employee, etc. We have a real-life perspective on maintaining a healthy lifestyle on limited time and resources.
While we try to practice what we preach, there are certainly those days when we forget to take care of ourselves in the whirlwind. Parents, your families need you to stay healthy so they can stay healthy. We ship our well-rested kids off to school with healthy snacks and lunches while we rush out the door on an empty stomach and bags under our eyes. Reserve 20 minutes each day to do something for yourself, whether it’s a nap, exercise, or even a pedicure. The 20 minutes of you-time will do more for your grades than taking that extra time to cram for your biochem test.
Happy parent= happy family!
Because we want our children to know how important college is.
The best way to teach kids how important education and lifelong learning is by modeling the behavior. Even at a young age, they are watching and observing how hard you are working toward your goals.
We love food!
Nutrition is our passion, so we can use that to fuel our desire to advance in a field we love!
“Love what you do, and you will never work a day in your life.”
About the Author: Lisa Gonzalez graduated in May 2016 from Arizona State University with her degree in dietetics and recently earned her DTR certification. She has a previous degree in Fashion Merchandising and worked in the retail field before jumping into the world of nutrition. She has taught various nutrition classes at her daughter’s preschool and helped coordinate a nutrition program for the school. She desires to become a registered dietitian specializing in oncology and is interested in working with the veteran population. Her research interests include probiotics and their potential relationship with cancer. She is a mom of two little girls, ages 5 and 6. When she has free time, she enjoys camping, rock climbing, and hiking.
P.S. Are you applying to the dietetic internship program of your dreams? Our Get Matched Course can help you on a fast track to a successful and happy Match Day!
Staying physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy when becoming a Registered Dietitian is difficult. Lisa Carrigg, MS, RD shares her advice to succeed!
Break Body Movement Time into Bite Size Pieces
Between moving to a new city, starting graduate school and trying to keep a part time job, I struggled to adjust from my previous rigorous work out routine into something that still fulfilled my need to move and work while not resulting in stretching myself too thin. As someone who also strongly dislikes sitting, I got creative and readjusted my view of what working out and fitness looked like.
When you know you are going to have a day of what I call extreme sitting, set yourself up so you can stand or stretch in the back of the classroom. I loved the “Daily” apps you can get for you smart phone because I could do 5, 8 or 10 minutes of shuffled moves for my arms or legs etc. right when I woke up or when I needed a break from studying. I also loved doing online barre3 classes and fitness blender videos with friends. Walk and talk meetings are a favorite of mine too. Redefine what getting moving looks like so it’s satisfying to you and fits your routine. Not everyone likes the gym and not everyone enjoys yoga. It’s all good.
Learn to Say No Thank You
With so many different and often equally wonderful opportunities in front of you to grow professionally and personally, it’s easy to slip into having a calendar with every minute, hour, day and weekend scheduled. Fairly quickly, this exciting packed schedule becomes stressful. Growing yourself professionally and seeking new opportunities and contacts is a part of your journey, but so is learning how to say no thank you. You do not have to do absolutely everything that comes your way and you do not have to feel bad for saying no to something. Even if you are saying no to something extra because you just need a moment of time just for you during which you have nothing you are suppose to be doing. Be thoughtful about your intentions behind choosing what to say yes to and that will help guide you in when to say no. How will this opportunity or experience help you grow? Why do I want to do this?
Take Time to Feed Yourself Well and in Good Company
I’m studying nutrition you say, I love food you say, I’m going to be an RDN you say. Of course I say, but you still need to nourish yourself so you can do all those awesome things. You are still human and probably a very busy one. All I am saying is to take time every now and then to share a meal with good company over good conversation. Conversation that is about the stuff that makes up life. It doesn’t need to be fancy food or in a fancy place, it should just be done with love. Nourishing others while they nourish you helps build everyone up (plus there might be leftovers!). Some of the best times I have had during the busiest seasons of my life are over lovingly made food accompanied by warm hugs, laughter and smiles. Feed your face and your soul.
It’s Okay to Cry Sometimes
When we are struggling, sometimes it’s easier to put on a good face, especially around friends or family who are on very different journeys (seemingly more successful or easy). Your journey is special and it’s not fair to compare it to anyone else’s, because it will never look or be like anyone else’s and that is something to cherish. It’s hard for those who love you to love on you more when you need it, however, if you don’t let them in. It’s okay to cry. In fact, it can be very therapeutic. We grow when we work through challenges. Finding a nurturing community to be a part of such as a church, a sports group, dance studio or perhaps even your school can help provide you additional emotional support. Who can you lean on when you need to? Do you tell yourself it’s okay to feel how you are feeling?
Practice Kindness and Thankfulness
Show kindness towards others as often as you can but especially towards yourself. Sometimes we expect so much of ourselves we get in the rut of only seeing what we think we did wrong. Stop yourself. Take time to re-set the thoughts you are feeding yourself and others about who you truly are. When you are feeling down take a few minutes to make a list of all the things you are thankful for or a list of all of the positive and unique things about who you are. Thank others often with hand written thank you notes or kind words. If you think something nice you should share it out loud. What can you be thankful for right now? What is one thing about you that you absolutely love (physical, emotional, skill wise, etc) ?
About the Author: Lisa Carrigg is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her Masters in Nutrition. She provides 1-on-1 virtual nutrition & wellness coaching at HealthyGroceryGirl.com & has an integrative, whole foods, plant based approach. She believes in meeting individuals where they are at and providing knowledge and guidance to empower them to meet their personal goals. Lisa is also a contributing expert to the Healthy Grocery Girl Membership & Community. To learn more & connect with Lisa visit HealthyGroceryGirl.com
Healthy Grocery Girl® is a wellness and video production company helping busy people and families enjoy real food and natural living. Healthy Grocery Girl keeps it simple and fun with weekly online videos & is the #1 Family Friendly Dietitian Channel on YouTube. Healthy Grocery Girl also provides an online wellness membership with meal plans, nutrition programs, video courses & shopping guides as well as video production services for brands looking to tell their story through digital content.
Studying for exams as a nutrition major can be difficult. These study strategies can help you succeed in becoming a Registered Dietitian.
P.N. and EN equations, Krebs cycle enzymes and intermediates, the steps in the Nutrition Care Process- there’s a lot of information that a future dietitian must know. Future RD’s must get good grades in classes and excel in the internship and then pass the R.D. exam. Gone are the days that you have only your textbook and pen and paper to study. Now there are so many online tools that are designed to help you get better grades. Here are five strategies that will help you be more focused and better prepared for your exams.
1. Use Flashcards
You can even save yourself the money you typically spend on 3X5 cards to make flashcards using Study Stack. You can search for flashcards that other students have already made, create your flashcards, and then practice and play games with your online flashcards. Flashcards are a great way to study for any exam.
2. Avoid Distractions
How many times have you clicked on Facebook when you should be studying for that next biochemistry exam? Use ways to help monitor your distractions, like StayFocusd. StayFocusd is an extension for Google Chrome that allows you to configure how much time you spend on specific pages. Once your allotted time has been used, the site will be inaccessible for the rest of the day. With nearly 5,000 reviews, this support tool has helped a lot of people stay focused.
3. Create Study Groups
If you live close to your classmates, form a regular study group with study goals set at the beginning of each session. If you would like to connect and study with students virtually, you can use StudyRoom. StudyRoom allows you to communicate with your classmates by setting up a dashboard and sharing materials or asking questions. You need your school email address, and then you click into specific classes.
4. Plan studying into your Calendar
Cramming for a test lowers your ability to retain information. Create a balanced study schedule to help your brain keep what you learn. GoConqr allows you to create a study schedule and manage and track tasks. It also allows you to develop other study tools to gain insight into which topics you are mastering and which ones you need to study more.
5. Take Breaks to Eat and Move During your Study Sessions
When you study, you are using energy, so take time to refuel. And take time to stretch and move your body. If you need a reminder, Stand Up! is a flexible work break timer that allows you to set timers within your schedule.
Finding the right study tools and techniques may be a trial and error process but find what works for you. Have you found an online study tool that has helped you master your nutrition classes?
P.S. The Study Smarter Method has helped hundreds of RD’s pass the exam. Learn more about Pass The Exam Prep.
I narrowed down some of my favorite websites that provide some of the most up-to-date, scientific, evidence-based information. Check it out!
It’s that time of year again. Your professors are starting in with the research paper requests. Our advice? Pick a topic, research the case, ensure that your research is EVIDENCED-BASED, and don’t forget the citations page. My biggest worry when I was assigned a research paper was finding a topic where there was enough evidence-based research so that there was some truth to what I was saying. After many semesters of stress and panic, I’ve found these resources provide information that any nutrition student would geek out about.
If you’re not a student member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you should be! As a member, you get the Food & Nutrition magazine sent to you physically or virtually every month. You also gain access to their database of research articles from various journals. All evidenced-based information, of course! An Academy membership is a win-win.
This website is specific to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Throughout these pages, you will be able to obtain all the research articles and abstracts from the journal’s archives. There is always that one article you read three months ago that you wish you had now for that specific research topic.
The National Institute of Health has some great information on its website. If you click on the PubMed link, it will bring you to a database that allows you to search by whatever topics you choose. *Hint- if you are googling anything nutrition/science related, add NIH in the search bar, and it should bring you to evidence-based articles and information immediately so that you don’t have to weed through the information that we know isn’t true.
If you have any websites that you use for evidenced-based research information that I didn’t mention and you would like to share, please share the wealth in the comments section! Also, don’t forget that your school’s library usually has a lot of access to journal articles that you may have to pay for if you don’t log in as a student. The library is always overseen, but it has some great tricks on getting the information you want for free!
P.S. Subscribe to our Newsletter for more evidence-based articles sent right to your email!
11. Since your food safety course, you kind of freak out about taking food temperatures and following proper sanitation guidelines when cooking at home.
Click here to check out our Instagram for more memes that are just too relatable.
P.S. ARE YOU IN YET? As an AAI member, you’ll join hundreds of future dietitians and get the confidence and clarity you need to get a dietetic internship! Choose your membership
Special thanks to Natalie Kocks, who shared her personal ISPP journey with us in 2017.
My name is Natalie Kocks, and I am a recent graduate of Benedictine University, Lisle, IL. I am currently enrolled as a dietetic intern at Purdue University’s ISPP. The journey towards attaining a dietetic internship is most certainly not an easy one. At Benedictine, I ran Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. I was also involved in the SAND (Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics) club. I volunteered every summer at Parkview Regional Medical Center in the Nutrition and Dietetics department. I also gained experience as an intern, working with an R.D. who owns her fitness and nutrition company. I also interned with Foodie on Campus (an online magazine) and helped market the magazine via social media.
In my senior year of college, I began the DICAS process and unfortunately did not receive a match. So I moved home and began working as a dietary aide at a nursing home and as a recipe developer, chef, and barista at a local natural market. In November, I reapplied to DICAS, and again, the words read “No Match.” I allowed myself to be upset for one day, and then I decided that this was what I wanted, and I refused to give up. I applied for a nutritionist position at a local WIC office and was offered the job. I have been working at WIC for the last six months and love it here! I learned about the Purdue ISPP from a Purdue ISPP intern doing her community rotation here at my WIC location! I decided to apply, and before I knew it, I was being interviewed and accepted my intern spot!
“ISPP is an amazing opportunity for good DICAS applicants who slipped through the cracks to gain the internship they deserve.”
ISPP is a fantastic opportunity for suitable DICAS applicants who slipped through the cracks to gain the internship they deserve. ISPP allows for flexibility; you can focus on areas of dietetics that you’re most interested in, and you can complete your entire training at home!
My advice to future applicants is never to give up. Not receiving a match to internships was one of the most devastating experiences I have had. Had it not been for my supportive family and friends and my deep-rooted passion for the field, I do not think I would have kept applying and putting myself out there. The best thing you can do is start gaining nutrition experience early on in your college career and continue to stay involved while working just as hard in the classroom. Please get to know your professors because you’ll need them down the road for positive letters of recommendation when you apply to internships.
Thanks for sharing, Natalie!
P.S. Our Get Matched Coaches can help you land the DI of your dreams. Let us help you have a happy match day!
Staying focused during the summer can be challenging as a dietetic student. Use these tips to help you enter the upcoming semester feeling prepared and refreshed.
OK, the dog days of summer are almost over (trust us, we’re sad too!). For me, summer is a time to explore, have fun with friends, and…prepare for the upcoming school year. Wait. What? Using your summer can help you go from average to a stand-out student. Here are my tips for staying on your A-GAME during those summer months.
Set up informational interviews with RDs who inspire you.
Maybe it’s just me, but I love meeting new people (especially in a professional atmosphere) so that I can hear their stories. Everyone has a little gem or piece of wisdom they are willing to share; you just have to ask!
Do I set these interviews up expecting to earn a job upon completion of my Dietetic Internship? No way! These informal interviews allow you to learn about the wide variety of careers in the nutrition world and help you expand your network of people in the nutrition world.
So pick up the phone and set a coffee date with an RD that is inspiring to you.
Volunteer in your community.
Volunteering is another excellent way to meet other people in the nutrition world, gain experience, and possibly tap into a passion you didn’t even know existed.
Yep, I said it…relaxing will help you stay on your A-GAME. During the school year, our brains are preoccupied with studying, working part-time jobs, getting involved in the school’s dietetic association, building our resumes, and the list goes on. According to current research, it’s SO important to give our brains mental downtime, and the summer is the perfect time to do it. Rest is when our brain can absorb and make sense of all of the information it has gathered over time.
So this is your permission to take a nap, meditate, take a yoga class, or go for a casual walk. It’s good for you!
Have fun!
After all, it is summer. Use this as your chance to get creative and do something that you LOVE to do. Train for a race, bake a cake, host a dinner party, hang out with friends, go on vacation, whatever it is that brings you pure joy…do it!
Let’s hear from you:
What is one way you are having fun this summer?
How do YOU stay on your A-GAME during the summer?
PS Are you in yet? Sign up for our newsletter here to receive monthly webinar invitations, free resources, exclusive experience opportunities, and so much more!
As a nutrition and dietetics student or intern, staying organized is the key to success. Our featured planners will help you remember your upcoming deadlines!
If you’re anything like me, your planner is as vital as a cup of coffee or your phone… maybe even more. Are you looking for a pretty planner to make those never-ending to-do lists more manageable? Check out this list!
You are very, very busy.
This planner from Ban.do says it all. We all know that studying nutrition can make you a little busy between studying for exams, gaining volunteer experiences, or inputting your information into DICAS to match to a dietetic internship.
Pineapple or fine apple? You decide!
We know that fruit makes almost everything better- homework assignments and to-do lists included. Show the world just how much you enjoy this sweet snack with your new planner. This planner from Emily Ley even comes with stickers! Vitamin C is omitted.
Find your passion.
Have you been dreaming of a career in clinical nutrition? What about in a community setting? Maybe you’d like to open your private practice one day but aren’t sure how to start. This plan from Passion Planner can help you dive into your goals and dreams and find new ones, too.
Don’t lose your marbles.
If you’re a lover of all things luxurious, look no further. This eco-friendly plan is not only beautiful but is a fill-in-the-blank option. Ferme A Papier has created a perfect fit if you like all things personalized. Make it your own, and get organized!
Are you using one of our featured planners to achieve this? Let us know in the comments below!
P.S. Applying to dietetic internships and need a little extra help? Try Get Matched Coaching to land the internship program of your dreams!
Since 2008, we've made it easier to become a dietitian by coaching thousands of future dietitians to get accepted to dietetics programs, pass the RD exam, and become confident dietitians.
