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  • Student Life

    6 Things to Know about Being a Distance-based Dietetics Student

    There’s a lot of pros and cons to any program, but when deciding if a distance based DPD program is right for you, here are 6 things you should know.

    The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) has approved three online Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) and even more distance based internships. These online programs are allowing students that need flexibility or are geography-bound to fulfill the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian. But as you may have guessed, online programs are highly different than traditional classroom based programs.

    Click her to schedule your free call with Jenny to discuss your background, address any of your concerns, and decide on the next steps for you dietitian journey!

    Below are some key points to think about when deciding if a distance-based program is the right decision for you.

    You may feel alone.

    It’s a lot easier to connect with your professors and your fellow students when you’re in a classroom with them a few times a week. But when you’re taking online courses, you lose that forced connection. Instead, you will need to find opportunities to connect virtually, like creating a Facebook group for your cohort, scheduling Skype study sessions, or meeting at conferences. Your professors are also an email or phone call away and some offer online office hours. You may feel alone but it just takes a little more work to connect with your fellow students and professors.

    Self-teaching happens.

    Some professors record their lectures and post in discussion boards. Others provide you with a PowerPoint and handouts. And since you don’t have to attend a lecture, sometimes you feel like you’re teaching yourself the content. Some professors are not great at responding to questions via email so they might not fully answer your question and respond with, “Look in your book.” Some classes end up consisting of a lot of reading, searching for videos that give a deeper explanation of the topic, and chatting with other students who are just as confused as you are. Being in a distance-based program means you have to be comfortable with self-teaching and researching for answers.

    Due dates exist.

    In the DPD programs, the online courses follow the same calendar as the in-classroom classes. Due dates for assignments are assigned. Along the same lines, group projects exist. Nearly every online DPD course I have taken has had a group assignment. So this goes back to you are not alone and finding virtual ways to connect with your fellow classmates is essential to your success.

    You have to be organized and disciplined.

    We have all heard this one before and it applies to traditional style DPD courses but it applies even more to students who complete their DPD courses online. You have to set up a manageable study schedule for yourself and be disciplined to stick to it. Students who succeed are those who log in and make progress every day. I use an app called Egenda and at the beginning of the semester I put my assignments in with their due dates. The app pushes reminders to my phone and I can see what’s due.

    Tests are proctored and assignments are photographed.

    My school uses an online proctoring service, which includes a proctor controlling your computer and connecting with you via video chat. Other schools require you to find a local testing center to complete exams. Depending on your school, the fees for proctoring may be an expense that you are responsible for. For many assignments, you have to take photos and some require signatures from participants that you recruited. Since you don’t have a captive participants in a classroom, some assignments require you have to recruit your own participants.

    Find unique ways to connect with your professors.

    Since most internship applications require at least one of the letters of recommendations come from a professor, it’s pretty important to create a strong relationship with your professors. Being a distance student makes it a little more difficult to form those relationships but not impossible. You can offer to help your professor with any research they may be doing, or schedule monthly check-ins with them, or ask if they would be willing to be your mentor.

    You may also have to explain your program to everyone you talk to since you may not live in the same state as your program. But being in a distance-based program can have a lot of advantages and can help prepare you for career experiences. This kind of learning requires you to learn on your own and demonstrates that you can be successful.

    P.S. Do you have more tips about being a distance student? DM us with your best advice on Instagram (@allaccessdietetics) and we’ll share! 

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  • Dietetics Programs

    Jenny’s Top 5 Tips for Getting Matched to 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:

    Click here to get our FREE DICAS Starter Pack with DI Database, Top 10 Mistakes, Personal Statement Checklist and 10 more resources!

    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!

    Hope that helps! Don’t forget to grab your FREE DICAS Starter Pack here!

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  • Dietetics Programs, Student Life

    How to Get Dietetics Experience Before Applying to Dietetic Internships

    True or False: “I need to have clinical experience to be competitive for an internship.” This may be true if the emphasis of the program is clinical. However, broad and unique experiences may sometimes outweigh clinical experience, depending on the program director’s selection criteria for its applicants. And since “a wide variety” implies having more than one dietetics experience, you must seek out experiences before your application year. Let’s get moving!

    Click here to learn more about Get Matched Coaching to get 1:1 support through to get you into your dietetics program.

    If you ask any dietetics student about what it takes to be more competitive with their internship applications, you may hear, “Start volunteering soon and often!” Then, they will emphasize that you should get as many experiences as you can before you are in the process of applying. Your experience says a lot about your interests as well as your personality traits. Be proactive about gaining experiences by taking the initiative. Show that you can juggle multiple things at once.

    A great example is holding a part-time job during the semester. You also want to convey your willingness to learn new skills and show your enthusiasm for learning. Take on a position that may be extra challenging. As directors review your experiences, they will notice qualities like professionalism, multitasking, leadership, and solid communication (to name a few).

    Create Experiences Worth Writing About

    Your experiences are what you will use to show that you have the skills to excel in the internship. If you can’t find good experiences offered through your school or within your community, start a new club or work with an RD that can be your mentor and provide invaluable one-on-one expertise. It shows that you are a go-getter and are not afraid to take the initiative!

    Variety is Key

    During the internship, each rotation may be very different from the others. Racking up the exposure in a lot of different areas will make your training year less intimidating. Getting experience in basic clinical, food service, and community areas are crucial since these are required rotations for every DI. Once you’ve done that, expand to more specialized areas like research, business, entrepreneurship, sports nutrition, pediatrics, or communications. Not only will you have your bases covered with “typical” student positions, but you can also bolster your application with impressive add- ons that allow you to rise above the crowd.

    Making the Ask

    How exactly are you supposed to go about finding these impressive add-ons? Let me be the first to tell you that Google can only take you so far! As dietetics students, we all crave opportunities to prove ourselves in the professional world. However, you must be willing to take some risks. I want to let you in on my secret called “making the ask.” Here’s how it works. If you haven’t already spent some time on the Internet researching companies, hospitals, professional organizations, dietitians in private practice, etc., then it’s time you got started. First, do the obvious. Check and see if they offer established internships or volunteer experiences. If they don’t, make the ask! If you don’t ask, your answer is always NO.

    Not quite “experience-hungry” yet? Keep in mind that a wide variety of experiences will allow you to:

    • Decide what you are interested in
    • Gain contacts in the field
    • Show your willingness to learn and commitment to the profession
    • Expand your skillset
    • Prove to directors that you take the initiative to gain as much experience as possible
    • Take advantage of breaks

    Use Your Breaks Wisely

    If you are lucky enough to have them, utilize those month-long winter breaks to squeeze in more experience or even get started on applications! Here are some ideas to stay busy in between semesters:

    • Volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen. It will be hectic during the holidays.
    • Help an RD set up their blog and contribute posts regularly (nutrition communications!).
    • Volunteer at a hospital for any holiday events, especially in the foodservice department.
    • Start a blog of your own nutrition-related experiences.
    • Reconnect with your summer job supervisor to see if they could use an extra hand.
    • Use this time to set up shadowing appointments with various RDs to get to know more about the field.
    • Research and apply for summer job options. Many summer internships are filled by January.
    • Collect awards, past work, and projects and create an online résumé using Blogger.com, WordPress.com, or VisualCV.com. Put this link on your application résumé. It’s all the rage!

    PS. There you have it! Ready for more? This was an excerpt from my free e-book Dietetic Internships 101, which you can find in the Application Toolkit!

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  • How to Become a Dietitian, Student Life

    Professor Advice to Survive Tough DPD Courses

    Five nutrition and dietetics professors give helpful advice to help you survive challenging DPD courses and get one step closer to becoming a dietitian.

    Everyone knows that studying and hard work are the keys to success. Highlighting your notes, re-reading the chapters over and over, and even making up songs… .we’ve done it all. But what if there was something else that we could do? I picked the brains of professors of notably challenging DPD courses for their secrets to success.

    Study a little bit each day

    Even when you think you know everything, keep going! Over-learning is key to understanding the ins and outs of intricate concepts.

    “It is important to learn to study effectively – one method I used as a student is still considered a useful strategy: over learning. Even when you think you know the material, keep studying – that is, keep reciting the information and keep writing out the information in text form. It will make more and more sense when you do this – you will start seeing the connections better, and understanding will improve.”

    Dr. Carol Johnston, Ph.D., R.D., Director of Nutrition Program and Professor at Arizona State University. Instructor of Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism and Research Methods.

    Go the extra mile

    You can’t expect your teachers to feed you everything you need to know; be sure to do the assigned readings, and don’t be afraid to go beyond your textbook and lecture slides to learn the material.

    “As a student in the DPD classes it is critical you come prepared to class. Professors can’t go over all the information in class, so students need to take ownership of their learning, read the assigned chapters, and do additional research to learn the material. Just showing up for class is not going to be enough to be successful.  I know it is easy to memorize the information for the exam, but learning how to apply the information will better prepare you for your internship.”

    Dr. Sandra Mayol-Kreiser, Ph.D., R.D., CNSC, Clinical Associate Professor at Arizona State University. Instructor of Medical Nutrition Therapy II and Geriatric Nutrition.

    Not the best at test-taking? Start by making your own

    Testing yourself will make you think outside of the box and help you see things from your professor’s perspective.

    “Essentially, I would like to remind students that studying for tough DPD classes should be viewed as a ‘marathon rather than a sprint,’ so instead of cramming a day or two before the exam, try setting aside an hour or so each week to review the content from that week. When studying, try not only to read over your notes but also practice actively engaging in the content by making and answering your practice questions, i.e., “test yourself” before the instructor tests you!”

    Dr. Christy Lespron, Ph.D., R.D., Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Student Affairs at Arizona State University. Instructor of Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism.

    Your professors double as a mentor.

    Your professors aren’t just there to teach you the course. They’re there to help you make connections in the field, get you to your next step, or become a confidant and mentor.

    “Ace your DPD courses.  It would help if you were going for the “A” in these core courses, so make sure you put in the extra time to get the best grade possible.  Also, keep in mind that the professors that teach these core courses may also make outstanding references for you.  Get to know them!”

    Joan Salge Blake, MS, R.D., LDN, Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University. Instructor of Community Nutrition.

    Go above and beyond

    Please talk with your professors, rewrite your notes, but it’s also important to enjoy what you’re learning! Enthusiasm leads to excellence so let your passion fuel your desire to succeed. “DPD courses can be challenging, but with a few essential tips, all students can follow. Here are my suggestions for success:

    •   Study a little bit each day…or at least each week. Never wait until the last minute! Even short 10 minute sessions going through notes make a difference! So put down your cell phone when you have a break and pick up your textbook or notes!
    • One of the most helpful things I did as a student was rewritten my notes in my own words and pictures. My goal was to reduce the number of note pages from class by three-quarters so that I had a smaller stack of notes to study from. It can be overwhelming with a giant pile of letters, so this made me feel better. Creating my version of the notes was a huge help in learning the material because after making this new version, I had a much easier time remembering complex information. I used different color pens too. Color has been shown to improve information retention, so give it a try!
    • Constantly ask yourself “why” when studying. If you keep asking this question when looking, it will force you to dig deeper and understand the information. It also assures that you can apply knowledge to critical thinking questions test day and prepare you well for future dietetics internships.
    • Be brave and talk to your professors. They want to help you, so don’t assume they don’t care or have time to help. A few minutes during office hours can go a long way if you struggle with a complex concept or need help with certain information from class.
    • Revel in the wonders of human metabolism and nutrition. Our bodies are amazing, and due to a unique set of reactions and biochemical products, we see unique complexities which result in various states of health and disease. These differences keep dietitians and nutrition professionals striving to help our families, friends, and communities. Enjoy learning all aspects of nutrition science and let it fuel continued curiosity because this will keep you enjoying what you do and take you further than you ever thought possible“.

    Dr. Corrie Whisner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Arizona State University. Instructor of Advanced Human Nutrition I and Nutrigenomics.

    P.S. Are you in yet? Join Get Matched Coaching to learn how to land the dietetic internship of your dreams!

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  • RD2Be Fun

    9 Inspiring 1-Minute Videos from Future Dietitians

    We’ve compiled nine motivating, inspiring, and fun videos from future dietitians across the country so you can learn, laugh, and stay on track to become an R.D.!

    This past fall, we held the most epic America’s Next Top Dietitian contest! Here are the top 10 finalists and their inspiration-filled videos. Trust me; these are WELL worth the watch. And ICYMI, Rebecca Yellin, was our winner, and we featured her story here! 

    1) Jessica Isaacs, Palmdale, CA

    2) Noah Warren, West Palm Beach, FL

    3) Rebecca Yellin, Montclair, New Jersey

    4) Tara Rochford, Denver, CO

    5) Sami Blumenthal, Deerfield, IL

    6) Jessica Liu, Plano, Texas

    7) Isabelle Gawel, Long Beach, CA

    8) Jason Douglas McMurray, Honolulu, HI

    9) Kara Kash, Hickory Hills, IL

     

     

    P.S. ARE YOU IN YET? Schedule your free call with Jenny to discuss your background, address any of your concerns, and decide on the next step for your dietitian journey!

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  • Student Life

    Evidence-Based Nutrition Information At Your Finger Tips

    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.

    The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

    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.

    The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

    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.

    PubMed (the National Institutes of Health)

    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!

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  • Dietetics Programs, Dietitian Career Advice

    5 Reasons to Create an Online Portfolio

    Think of your online portfolio as an extension of your DICAS application. This tool could get you closer to landing the dietetic internship of your dreams.

    If you haven’t created an online portfolio yet, now’s the time! Only some program applications require one, but you can still add the URL to your resume even if they don’t.

    Click here to take your application to the next level with free resources and exclusive advice from Jenny!

    Here are our top 5 reasons why you need one:

    Opportunity to show directors examples of your best work

    Remember to include projects or papers that you are passionate about to reference them in later interviews. Did you complete a unique project in your program? Feature it so internship programs can see it!

    It makes you stand out from the competition.

    No two applications are alike, similar to online portfolios. Your portfolio is distinctly yours and can be another way to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression.

    Adds a visual element to your application

    A dietetic internship director may remember you during your interview from your online portfolio’s unique logo or layout. This also serves as a way for internship programs to learn about you and your sense of style or flare. Make sure to stay true to yourself when creating your online presence!

    It gives directors a better sense of who you are as a person

    Directors will gain a better understanding of your personality through the details of your online portfolio. They will see your skills, such as attention to detail and creativity, which show promise as a dietetic intern.

    It can be used again when you’re hunting for a job

    Make sure to save your online portfolio and continue adding to it as a dietetic intern. Nothing will make a potential employer more pleased than an in-depth and highly professional online portfolio. As you grow through your nutrition career, remember to let your online portfolio grow with you.

    Blogger, WordPress, VisualCV, and Wix are all great sites for housing your portfolio.

    Are you not convinced? Check out this article from The New York Times for more!

    P.S. Once your e-portfolio is done, join our Get Matched Coaching for a portfolio review from one of our coaches to make sure it is visually fantastic, organized, and free of grammar mistakes!

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