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. The Iowa-based option interns' tuition and fees bill is approximately
$6000-$7000 and the nationwide option interns' tuition and fees
bill is approximately $7000-$8000. You will have additional expenses
for books, transportation, and living as well.
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.
Can I do my internship part time?
NO. We are accredited to be a full time program.
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.
Can I receive financial aid through the university?
YES. 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.
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 work and get paid while I am an intern?
Yes and no. 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 35-40 hours per week as
an intern you should be learnin or working on homework assignments
and not functioning as an employee.
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?
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.
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
