dietetic student

  • Dietetics Programs, How to Become a Dietitian

    What is DICAS and How Does it Work

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    DICAS is an online portal used by nutrition students to apply to dietetic internships or RD programs. Learn how to apply and how to get ahead of the game.

    Before taking a deep dive into your dietetic internship (DI) application, there are a few things you should be aware of.

    One of the questions we get asked most often is how to best prepare for the DI application match. We always recommend that students begin their application process as soon as possible, so that they have enough time to confidently submit their application to the best of their ability and avoid stressing over last minute work.

    The Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System, also known as “DICAS,” is the online portal used by dietetics students who are applying to DI. Most, but not all, DI programs use the DICAS match.

    DICAS allows students to complete a single online application. Program directors can access the applications, but can’t see the order in which the applicant ranked his or her programs. Instead, the applicant’s rankings are submitted on D&D Digital. Read more about D&D Digital here. Upon review of the application, the program director and staff submit ranking for applicants in addition to the maximum class size.

    How to Apply to Dietetic Internships:

    DICAS opens a little over two months before the applications are due and the application portal closes. The information applicants fill out on DICAS include:

    • Applicant Information: Contact information, personal information, and background information
    • Match Information: Applicant’s D&D Digital ID
    • Education Information: DPD course list form, colleges attended (majors, certificates/minors, transcript form, and cumulative GPA), session and coursework (all DPD grades including completed, in progress, and transfer DPD grades), and tests (GRE and TOEFL)
    • DPD Program Information: DPD director contact information and confirmed declaration of intent
    • Required Information: Awards, experience, & volunteer activities; personal statements (we recommend making a unique personal statement for each DI program. For personalized help, apply for our Get Matched Coaching program); updated resume; references (at least three references are required); and application certification
    • Program Destinations: The DI programs the applicant is applying to

    How to Get Ahead of the Game

    Even though the application only opens a couple months before the deadline, that doesn’t mean that you must wait to work on your application when it opens.

    If you want to get a head start on your DICAS application, get a coach to help you strategize each step of the application process. After applying, you’ll speak with our enrollment coach to learn more about your career goals and confirm that you’re a good fit for coaching. Click here to apply for Get Matched Coaching.

    With the right strategy and support, you CAN land a spot in a dietetic internship/RD program and become a dietitian. I believe in you. 🙂

    P.S. Have questions about Get Matched Coaching? Email me at jenny@allaccessdietetics.com and I’m happy to help.

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  • RD2Be Fun

    10 Reasons I Love my RD2BE Besties

    There are so many reasons to love your nutrition, significant friends; it’s hard to choose just ten. Seriously, where would we be without them?

    Sometimes I feel like campus is my second home, and that makes my RD2Be besties essentially family. I know I can always count on them to keep my energy up during long days and to have deep conversations about fiber with me.

    1. Someone always has snacks to share during class.

    And you are always hoping the snack of the day is cookies!

    2. They appreciate your sense of humor. #foodpunsforlife

    … Orange, you glad I didn’t say banana?

    3. They know the healing powers of a trip to Whole Foods.

    Walking the aisles is genuinely inspiring.

    4. Help on an assignment is just a text away.

    At 5 am or 5 pm, one of your classmates will be ready to help.

    5. They know the highs and lows of being an avocado lover.

    I wish all my RD2BE besties ripe (but not too ripe) avocados for life.

    6. You agree that chocolate should be a food group on MyPlate.

    Especially dark chocolate.

    7. They always remind you when there’s free food somewhere on campus.

    Sign. Me. Up.

    8. You describe what you did over the weekend in PES statements because you can never have too much practice.

    Exhaustion on Monday is the sign and symptom of a busy weekend!

    9. They are the only people in your life who don’t get sick of talking about food and nutrition with you.

    We could do this ALL day. We do.

    10. Most of all, you love your RD2Be besties because you know you wouldn’t survive school without them… at least not with any of your sanity intact.

    You can’t wait to see your RD2BE besties land the dietetic internship of their dreams and become incredible Registered Dietitian nutritionists.

    P.S. Are you applying to dietetic internships in the next year? Schedule an intro call to talk about your game plan for getting matched!

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  • Student Life

    Stay Organized This Semester with These Top Tips

    Staying organized as a nutrition and dietetics student isn’t easy. Below are my top tips to help you stay on track to become a Registered Dietitian.

    Could you write it down?

    It’s tempting to ditch your planner for an app on your phone, but studies have shown that writing it down helps you remember it more. Invest in a cute planner (see ideas here) and never forget an assignment again.

    Keep a schedule.

    As much as you want to sleep in until noon on the weekends when you’ve been waking up super early during the week, trying to compensate for your sleep can make you more tired! You’ll be more productive when your schedule isn’t all over the place.

    Get rid of distractions.

    Whether it is a PC or Mac, many computers have programs that you can download that let you limit the amount of time spent on distracting websites (we’re talking about you, Facebook, and Instagram). Nix the temptation and get that essay done first!

    Find balance.

    It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything you have to do this semester – from homework to volunteering or even working – it can get a little daunting to balance it all. Set aside 30 minutes to an hour each day to focus on yourself and do something for you, whether a yoga class or a quick Netflix binge. Your mind and body will thank you!

    Triage.

    Triage, taking care of the most important thing first, will help big tasks seem more doable. Get that group project out of the way, so you don’t have to worry about it. Can’t figure out where to start? Try making a to-do list so you can check off your assignments as you go!

    What are your best tips to stay organized? Sound off in the comments.

    P.S. ARE YOU IN YET? Join the Get Matched Course to gain the confidence and clarity you need to get a dietetic internship!

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  • RD2Be Fun

    You Know You’re a Dietetics Major When…

    These hilarious dietetic memes hit a little too close to home.

    1. Your mini-fridge and purse are stuffed with snacks.

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    Nobody likes it when we get hangry…

     

    2. Lab involves recipe experimentation.

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    Some experiments turn out better than others

    3. You’ve tried to explain “dietetics” one too many times.

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    Nutrition…it means I study nutrition

     

    4. You get excited when you see kale salad on the menu.

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    Kale yeah!

     

    5. Your Instagram feed is full of food puns.

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    Lettuce turnip the beet!

     

    6. You find yourself spending hours in the grocery store comparing nutrition labels, and you don’t mind one bit.

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    This is my happy place.

     

    7. Your favorite dessert has sweet potato, avocado, or black beans in it.

    Happy Eating GIFs | Tenor

    via Tenor

    And no one ever knows…

    8. And then they constantly judge your food choices.

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    I’m not on a diet, just trying to get all the nutrients I can by eating ALL the fruits and veggies. And yes, I love salad (silence).

    9. And you feel so good when the test is over, and you’ve ACED the material.

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    Crushed it!

     

    10. You’ve mastered the PES statement. 

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    Dang, that feels good.

     

    11. Since your food safety course, you kind of freak out about taking food temperatures and following proper sanitation guidelines when cooking at home.

    via GIPHY

    Ummmm…that chicken breast is cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. And you washed your hands immediately after handling the raw chicken?

     

    12. The thought of applying for a dietetic internship/grad school is like….

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    13. Despite all the stress and hard work, you know that it will all be worth it when you are in a career you are truly passionate about!

    via GIPHY

    LET’S HEAR IT!

    What #RD2Be moments can you relate to?

    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

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