Frequently Asked Questions

How many applications do you typically receive?
In the last few years, we have received between 70 – 90 applications. We are a large nationwide program and are approved to take up to 40 interns annually.

Do you give preference to University Of Delaware students?
The dietetic internship program participates in the preselect round which is in January of each year. Admission is on a competitive basis. Applying early assures a position in the internship and once the position is accepted by the student, he/she cannot apply for other internship programs. We generally place between 5-10 students in the preselect round, leaving approximately 30 positions available for the computer matching round in February.

What factors are considered for acceptance into your program?
Our program considers a variety of factors including grades, work or volunteer experience, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a telephone interview. It is recommended that you have an overall GPA and major GPA of at least a 2.75 in order to be accepted into the internship. Students with a lower GPA may be accepted with strong work or volunteer experience. Please be sure to investigate the program to which you are applying to assure that it is a good fit for you.

What if I don't get accepted into the internship, do you have any advice?
Students have reapplied a second time to our program and have been accepted. If you do not receive an internship, the best advice is to contact the program director and discuss your application materials. General advice; take a graduate class and/or obtain work experience.

Do I need to apply to the graduate school if I am only interested in the internship program?
Applicants to the dietetic internship are not required to submit a graduate application along with your internship application packet. We are in the process of submitting for final approval for a combined MS/DI option. This however will only be available for a local program.

Is it possible to work while I complete the dietetic internship?
The program offers both full and part-time options. The part-time option is 3 days per week (24 hours per week). Interns generally work on Monday and Friday and/or weekends.

Do you give credit for prior work experience?
Yes, it is possible that work experience may be substituted for a rotation. We offer full or partial exemption(s) from rotations depending on the type of experience. This is individual and once accepted into the internship, instructions for applying for prior assessed learning (PAL) are given.

How often do I need to travel to the University Of Delaware Campus?
The only time you need to travel to campus is for the one week orientation in mid-August. This is true for local and distance students.

How does the local program differ from the distance program?
This is an Internet-based internship and therefore it is managed using an online course management system. The only difference between the local and distance option is that internship faculty will plan your schedule for the local program.

Can I select my own rotations for the local option?
Most of the interns are placed in the northern part of the State ( New Castle County) since the majority of practice sites are located in northern Delaware. Please note, if you apply and are accepted into the local program, your rotations will be in and around the State of Delaware.

If I am an out of State applicant, can I apply for a slot in the State of Delaware?
Yes, however please keep in mind that the program is managed online. We do not have a separate local and distance program.

Can I complete any of my rotations in the facility in which I currently work?
Yes, but care should be taken to insure that you are not performing your regular work duties on internship time. They must be kept separate. Internship activities are tracked in a weekly journal.

How do I approach a facility? Who should I talk to?
It is most appropriate to talk with the person who is most likely to be your preceptor, i.e.. Clinical Nutrition Manager, Food Service Director or WIC supervisor. Do not be surprised if they do not agree right away. They may need to get administrative approval or talk with other staff prior to agreeing to sponsor you. Suggestions include: Send a letter of request along with your resume; follow-up with a phone call to make an appointment.

What if I am accepted into the program and one of my facilities backs out?
You will be given time to find another facility.

What if something happens to my preceptor during my rotation? What would happen to me?
If another staff member is not available to take over as preceptor, then you will need to find another facility to complete the rotation requirements. You will be given time to find a replacement.

When I apply to the program, I only need to have a clinical and a community facility planned. When do I need to make my other contacts for the other rotations?
Once you are accepted into the program, you should begin to locate the remainder of the facilities for your internship experience. We expect rotations to be in place by May 31 of the year in which you are accepted.

Does my clinical rotation need to be completed in a major medical center?
No, in fact we recommend small community hospitals or long term care facilities with sub acute units. You are more likely to find these facilities agreeable to sponsor you. An internship may already be in place in a larger hospital. We have not found any difference in pass rate on the RD exam or job placement as a result of completing clinical in a smaller facility.

What are some of the benefits of applying to an Internet based Internship?
Generally, distance programs service students who are location bound due to personal and work obligations. However, we have several new graduates who have been applying to our program as well. Some of the benefits include:

• Not having to relocate for an internship which often times is less then a year.
• Network in your own community.
• Select an area in the country in which you would like to relocate.
• Many of our graduates have been offered a position as a result of the internship.
• Planning your own schedule and selecting your own facilities.

How do I prepare for the Registration Exam for Dietitians?
Graduates of dietetic internships are able to use the materials they accumulated in their internships to study for the registration exam. There are review courses available such as the Jean Inman Review, online resources such as DietitianExam.com, and many other resources available to study for the exam. You will be given more information on the best resources to use to prepare for the exam upon completion of the internship program.The internship program begins preparing interns for the RD beginning with the orientation program in mid-August. We provide online RD exam questions that you take as a pre and post test during the internship. We do not however require a certain grade for program completion. This is used as a self-assessment.

When do I take the Registration Examination for Dietitians?
The Registration Examination for Dietitians is taken after you have successfully completed the dietetic internship. For more information on the exam, read this fact sheet from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The registration exam is offered in a computer based format and is administered by ACT at testing centers throughout the U.S.