Dietetics Academy

Dietetics Internship Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does the internship cost?
Both instate and out-of-state interns are charged the same tuition rate and course fees totaling approximately $7000-$8000.  You will have additional expenses for books, transportation, and living as well. Additionally, the Nationwide option interns are billed for the instructor visit approximately $700-$1000.
(see tuition and fees for more information: http://www.dietetics.iastate.edu/intern/tuition.php ).

How does the tuition and fees expenses of this internship compare to others?
The ISU DI total tuition and fees expense is in the “lower cost” range of all of the CADE internships.  If you review the information on the CADE website, you’ll note that the internship expenses range from “no cost” to more than $20,000.  As you compare the cost of internships, keep in mind that the ISU DI is a very accelerated program thus you complete the internship and join the work force sooner than most of the other internship program interns.  Thus when you compare TIME and MONEY, the ISU DI is very affordable.

What application form should I use to apply?
Please use the ADA application form. You may access the application on the web by downloading or submitting an e-mail request or you may purchase it from the ADA publication department (item #0406) for $5.00. (If you are on the ISU campus you may bring a blank disk to 220 MacKay Hall and ask Jean Tilley to download the application onto your disk). The disk contains the application form and the standard ADA recommendation form.

When will I be notified regarding an interview?
The ISU DI does NOT conduct interviews. Therefore you need not worry if you are not contacted for an interview after you submitted your materials.

Can I do my internship part time?
NO. We are accredited to be a full time program. Please note that interns spend approximately 40 hours per week in the supervised practice facility with preceptors and approximately 10 hours per week completing assigned projects and case studies.

How much time will the internship require from my daily life?
Success as a Registered Dietitian means lifelong learning and a substantial and regular time commitment. Successful completion of this accelerated dietetic internship requires a high level of motivation and commitment and significant portion of the intern’s time. Work and volunteer commitments outside of the internship are not recommended.

Can I work and get paid while I am an intern?
Yes and no but probably not. Yes, you can work after internship hours are over (evening and weekends). No, you cannot get paid for the hours you spend as an intern. The rule is that you may not replace a full time employee while training as an intern. If you were to be working for your facility while at the same time learning as an intern there would be a conflict of purposes. While you are spending your 40-50 hours per week as an intern you should be learning or working on homework assignments and not functioning as an employee. However, most interns find it difficult to work during the internship due to time constraints.  Keep in mind that interns spend approximately 40 hours per week in the supervised practice facility with preceptors and approximately 10 hours per week completing assigned projects and case studies.

Can I receive financial aid through the university?
PERHAPS. Financial aid is available through ISU financial aid office for dietetic interns who are accepted into the program. If you need financial aid, contact the financial aid office: Jennifer Schroeder, 515-294-2223, jschroed@iastate.edu after you have been matched with ISU Dietetic Internship.

Can I defer my payment of fees and tuition? Or pay it in installments?

If you need financial aid or need to work out special arrangements to pay your tuition and fees contact the financial aid office: Jennifer Schroeder, 515-294-2223 jschroed@iastate.edu

Do NOT contact Ms. Schroeder until you have been matched with the  ISU dietetic internship program.

What do you look for in an intern?

• Overall GPA
• Science GPA
• Work experience that has provided transferable professional skills such as, but not limited to:
  • Time management
  • Supervision
  • Task planning and follow-through
  • Self-directed behaviors
• Positive References
• Strong, positively worded letter of application
• Well-rounded individual

Who should write references for me?
You should request references using the recommendation forms in the application packet from people who know your commitment to dietetics and who can refer to your skills, education, and performance in the field. At least one employer from a time when you worked in a dietetics related job (it doesn't have to be a current employer) and a professor who knows your academic work. They may write letters but they must be attached to a completed ADA Reference sheet and the objective scoring must be filled out; original signatures must be on all references – either on the letter or on the ADA form. NO faxes will be accepted. The person writing the reference should be instructed to seal the reference in an envelope and sign across the flap before they give it to you. This is the only way we know that it is a confidential reference! The recommendations are to be included with your application packet - not sent separately.

What do you want included in the letter of application?
The letter is a formal business letter; limited to two pages or 750 words; at least 1.5 line spacing and 11 font; use standard business letter format.

Please address the following points:

• How will the internship help you achieve your short and long-term goals?
• What are your significant achievements and accomplishments that we may not be able to identify from the rest of the application?
• Include an assess of your personal characteristics, including areas of strengths and of development (consider such professional skills as Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Initiative, Organizational Skills, Time Management, Adaptability/Reaction to Stress, Teamwork).
• Do you have any significant events or obstacles that have affected your personal growth and preparation for the Dietetic Internship?

Shall I compile my application materials into a binder with plastic page protectors and section dividers or use a sturdy folder?
NO. All applications are taken apart and reassembled according to the needs of the ISU DI review process.  All pages are removed from binders, the plastic page protectors and all section dividers are removed.  All materials are organized according to the ISU DI review protocol and placed in plain manila file folders.  Therefore you are encouraged to save yourself time and money and send your application materials in an envelope.  Please note that applications that are assembled in a binder with plastic page protectors and section will NOT be reviewed by the committee.

Is student housing available on the ISU campus?
Ultimately, housing is the responsibility of the intern. The ISU dietetic intern is considered a full-time ISU student and may be eligible for student housing on the ISU campus. Obviously, if the intern is based in another location for their internship besides the Ames/Des Moines area, such as in Davenport, then student housing is not available.

Is there a stipend for preceptors? Can they get paid for precepting me?
There is no money in the internship budget to pay preceptors. The facility where you train gains in non-monetary ways from your work as an intern: projects you complete in the course of your rotation should be selected to be timely and useful to the facility as well as a good learning experience for you. You will be able to research answers to questions, do studies for customers or staff, provide in-service education for employees, nutrition education for kids and patients, and develop newsletters, pamphlets, patient/customer education materials, etc.

Can I get credit for my past work experience?
Perhaps. The ISU dietetic internship participates in the Prior Assessed Learning (PAL) program recognized by the American Dietetic Association. Please note that the fees related to PAL evaluation are the equivalent of the course credits required in the specific rotation. Information about this program is available on the web page: http://www.dietetics.iastate.edu/intern/pal.htm Click on Pal Packet where you will find:

• instructions and information related to PAL.
• a web-link to the American Dietetic Association's competencies expected of the entry-level dietetic professional.
• each of the forms to be completed for PAL assessment which can be downloaded.

Remember that you must identify and document any experiences claimed in the PAL forms and these experiences must show progressively complex and intricate abilities, knowledge, understanding, and skills.