Follow the application instructions.  While an otherwise good applicant will not be rejected for one too many paper clips, excessive “packaging” of your application materials does not impress us, and it wastes resources.  It also costs more to mail.  Therefore, do not send unsolicited materials, ie: resumes, pictures of yourself, published articles, portfolios, or other things not requested in the application.

DO send a check or money order for the correct amount of the application fee.

How important is GPA?

It is important. Internship programs are evaluated by CADE in part based on the % of DI graduates passing the RD exam on the first try.  A strong academic background is a positive indicator of that a candidate might be able to do this.  A candidate with a GPA < 3.0 is unlikely to be listed for the computer match.

What about GRE scores?

GRE scores are not mandatory to apply to the Internship.  However, similar to the GPA, GRE scores are another indicator of test-taking ability.

What should I write about in my personal statement?

Please do not write about:

1. How your (or your friend or relative’s) diagnosis of (disease) “inspired” you to be a dietitian?

2. How much you love sports.

3. How much you have “always wanted to help people” …. “ever since I was little.”

In other words, don’t write the same tired, tedious prose as everybody else.

This is your best chance to tell us why our internship is right for you, and why we should select you for our program. 

Read the description of our program before you start writing, 

If you are applying to more than one internship, write a specific statement for each program.

Proof-read, proof-read, PROOF-READ!! Typos show that you are careless in your work.  Also, there is NOTHING that is a bigger turn off to a DI Director / Selection Committee than an application that says “and that is why the (name of some-other-program) dietetic internship would be the perfect match for me!”

This is your opportunity to pull together all of the information you are presenting to us to help us “see” you as part of this DI.  We want to know, “Can this person DO this DI with the challenges that our interns typically face?”  For example, we have many far-flung sites all over New York City, and interns have to get to these on their own via public transit.  Our interns are also expected to take responsibility for things like registering with the volunteer offices at their sites, getting medical clearance, and generally being independent in the nuts and bolts of each rotation.  The clients / patients at our rotation sites are highly varied, so a level of comfort in many different settings is a definite plus.

How important is work / volunteer experience?

It is important for two reasons:

1. It addresses the question of “Can she/he do what our interns do?”

And

2. It can support what you are saying in your personal statement.

Can I apply to the Internship without applying to the MPH program?

Yes, you can.  It is not mandatory to apply to or be currently enrolled in the Hunter MPH degree program to apply to the DI. 

However, all other things being equal, preference is given to Hunter MPH students.

What about reference letters?

These will ideally provide support for what you are saying in your statement.  Therefore, it is more desirable to get such letters from people who know you well and speak of your unique qualifications for the DI, than to get a more generic letter from a well-known professor whom you only had for a large lecture class.

How can I be sure you received and read my application?

Include a stamped self-addressed post card in your application packet.  We will check it and send it back to you after your application has been read.  Be patient, as it may be a week or more after the deadline date before ALL the applications have been read.

Lastly, who else applies at the same time as you do also matters.  Selected candidates are ranked before being submitted to D&D Digital for the computer match, just as candidates rank their internship preferences.  A difference of even 1 position on the match list can make the difference between a match or no match.  A strong applicant who didn’t match last year would be encouraged to re-apply for the following year.