How to Apply

All applicants must apply using the DICAS 3.0 applicant portal. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ website has guidance for using DICAS.

Applicants for the full-time and part-time internship must apply by the spring match deadline of February 15, 2023. They must also participate in the April (Spring) D&D Digital (Ames, IA) dietetic internship matching cycle. The program accepts up to 6 interns each spring for the fall start date.

Applicants for the ISPP can apply at any time and are subject to a rolling admissions process. Applicants do not use the D&D Digital matching system.

All applicants must pay a $45 program application fee. This application fee is designated to cover expenses incurred by Ohio State personnel during the review of each application. This fee is separate from any costs paid for using DICAS and D&D Digital. Payments can be made electronically at https://go.osu.edu/osudieteticspayment and must be submitted by the DICAS due date (full-time/part-time internship only).

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the OSU HN Dietetic Internship Selection Committee. If the masters degree will not be completed prior to the program start date, the applicant must provide a letter on university letterhead from their graduate program director or faculty advisor stating that the student is in good standing and has a plan to finish their graduate program requirements within 6 months of the intern of the dietetic internship. Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 based on a 4.0 system is required. The GRE is not required.

For ISPP applicants who do not have a DPD Verification Statement, the ISPP program director will review materials to determine if knowledge/skill requirements have been met (pre-requisites). Identified gaps are communicated to the applicant and are met before admitting an ISPP applicant to the program. Onboarding for the ISPP can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months so early communication with the program director is recommended.

How to Find Preceptors:

Review preceptor and facility requirements (Preceptor and Facility Form and Rotation Schedule) before you start contacting potential preceptors.

Create a list of potential preceptors. ISPP applicants are encouraged to leverage existing networks (DPD Director, doctoral program faculty, professional organizations, and other social networks) to identify preceptors and facilities. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics “Find-a-Preceptor Database” offers a search feature to find individuals willing to be preceptors by proximity to a zip code. In addition, the program will find a list of affiliates and preceptors nationwide upon request.

Start contacting potential preceptors. Utilize the phone, social media, and email. If you have not heard back from someone you’ve contacted, follow up in 2-3 weeks. Know the required time you are requesting and the preceptor paperwork required (Preceptor and Facility Form and resume) because every internship program is different. Introduce yourself and your decision to apply to The Ohio State University Human Nutrition Dietetic Internship. You and your preceptor will determine the best dates for you to complete the supervised practice if you are accepted. Be prepared for the following:

Preceptors may want to interview you and/or review your resume or professional experience. They may also want to know your motivations for becoming a registered dietitian. Approach the meeting like a job interview.

They may ask you about an affiliation agreement or contract. These are completed after you have been accepted to the program. If they say they need one in place before agreeing to precept you, contact the program director for assistance.

Preceptor may want to know the learning objectives or competencies you need to meet in a rotation. Ask the program director for the syllabi for the clinical, foodservice management, and community rotations.

Complete the required forms. Send your preceptor the Preceptor and Facility form. Complete as much of the form as you can in advance.