FAQs
Program Requirements
Q: What are the prerequisites to enter the Dietetic Internship Program?
A: Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university verified by an official transcript, as well as a signed verification statement showing successful completion of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
Q: I am a student with a bachelor’s degree in another field, how do I find out if I meet the requirements to enter your program?
A: Please visit the following link that outlines the steps needed prior to applying to an internship program: http://www.eatright.org/BecomeanRDorDTR/
Q: I am an international student, what steps do I need to take to apply to the internship program?
A: Please visit the following link for a flowchart indicating the steps for international students to take in pursuit of the RD credential: http://www.eatright.org/BecomeanRDorDTR/
Q: Is there a minimum GPA requirement to enter the program?
A: The selection committee looks at the overall application packet. Recent students have had GPAs between 3.0 to 4.0 on a 4-point scale. Other eligibility criteria include food and nutrition-related work experience; interpersonal skills, professional potential, personal interests and accomplishments, including volunteerism/leadership related to the field, and a successful phone interview with program faculty.
Q: What is the Match Program? And how does it work?
A: All applicants to the OHSU Dietetic Internship and the OHSU combined Dietetic Internship & Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition must participate in computer matching through D&D Digital, for more information please refer to following website: http://www.dnddigital.com
**New This Year**: Our combined Dietetic Internship & Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program will use the DICAS and D&D Digital program for selection of students. We will not pre select students for this program.
Q: Do you require GRE scores for admission into the Dietetic Internship Program?
A: No, we do not require GRE scores for the Dietetic Internship Program, but GRE scores are required for entry into any of the Masters Programs, including the combined DI/MS program. Please note the institutional code for OHSU is 4865 when sending your GRE scores to OHSU.
Q: What is the minimum required GPA?
A: In general, the cutoff GPA is 3.0
Q: What are the minimum GRE scores?
A: Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing GRE scores of 153 (500 old sclae), 148 (600 old scale) and 4.5 or above, respectively, will generally be considered acceptable for admission. Applicants with scores below those levels may still be considered dependent upon other application strengths; however those will require special review by the admissions committee.
Financial Aid and Dietetic Internship Program Costs:
Q: What is the cost for the Dietetic Internship?
A: Please visit the OHSU Financial Aid website. Please note that costs are subject to change and usually change on an annual basis.
Current 2012-13 Tuition and Fees
Q: Will the Dietetic Internship pay for my living costs?
A: No, the Dietetic Internship Program does not pay for living costs. We encourage applicants to consult with OHSU financial aid office for information on financial aid and student loans.
The Financial Aid Office can be found at http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/student-services/financial-aid/
Q: Are dietetic interns at OHSU eligible for financial aid?
A: Yes, dietetic interns at OHSU are eligible for financial aid since they earn graduate credits throughout the program.
Q: What is the OHSU code that I should indicate on my FAFSA Form when applying for financial aid?
A: The OHSU code for FAFSA Form is 004883.
Q: Does the Dietetic Internship Program offer scholarships?
A: No, scholarships are not offered through the OHSU Dietetic Internship Program. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to dietetic interns and graduate students.
Q: Does the Dietetic Internship Program offer stipends?
A: The students enrolled in the combined DI/MS program who are placed at the Portland VA Medical Center as their primary practice site may receive a stipend. The ability to offer the stipend is negotiated on an annual basis. Stipends are currently not available to students placed at other supervised practice sites affiliated with our program.
Q: Does the Dietetic Internship Program provide housing?
A: We do not provide housing, but you can find information regarding housing at the following website: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/visiting/pdx/housing.cfm
General Internship Questions
Q: How do I apply to the Dietetic Internship Program?
A: Application process to both the Dietetic Internship Program and the combined Dietetic Internship & Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition:
The program uses the on-line centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed at https://portal.dicas.org/
DICAS will be available after December 2012 for the Spring 2013 Match. The online application must be completed for our program by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2013. The fee to use DICAS is $40 for the first application submitted and $20 for each additional application. Applicants to the Dietetic Internship Program must submit a $50.00 application fee to our program. Checks should be made payable to the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition and must be received by our office no later than February 15, 2013. Checks should be sent to the following address:
Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition
Mail Code: GH207
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd.
Portland, OR 97239-3098
When completing the application form, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically an email address) for each reference. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed on-line. Students submitting more than one application will need to use the same individuals as references for each application.
Applicants who apply to internships using DICAS will be asked to complete a personal statement.
Questions to be addressed in the personal statement (1000 word limit) include:
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent to:
DICAS- Transcript Dept.
PO Box 9118
Watertown, MA 02472
Computer Matching
All applicants to the OHSU Dietetic Internship Program and the combined Dietetic Internship & Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition must participate in computer matching through D&D Digital, available at http://www.dnddigital.com
Students who match with either program will be notified in April 2013.
Q: Do I need a car?
A: Yes, you will need personal reliable transportation to and from rotations.
Students are encouraged to use public transportation getting to and from the OHSU campus.
Q: Where are your rotation sites located?
A: Supervised practice assignments are made throughout the Portland metropolitan area, SW Washington, Eugene, and Medford in both rural and urban communities. Students placed in Medford or Eugene will complete all supervised practice rotations in their community for the duration of the program.
Q: Can we be employed while enrolled in the internship?
A: We do not encourage employment due to the intensive rotation experiences and course work requirements.
Q: What is a day like in the internship?
A: Class lectures from approximately 8am - 4pm, and Tuesdays through Fridays are full day supervised practice experiences at the various sites.
Q: What is the length of the internship program?
A: The duration of the internship program is approximately 10 months. The combined DI/MS can be completed in approximately 2 years.
Q: Do you certify your graduates to be RDs?
A: No, after successful completion of the Dietetic Internship Program, the graduate completes eligibility paperwork to apply to sit for the national RD exam and receives a verification statement signed by the Internship Director documenting successful completion of the internship.
Q: What are the employment opportunities available to graduates of your program?
A: Most of our graduates have employment opportunities presented to them while still in the internship. But, interns cannot begin employment until after graduation. The internship office also forwards job postings to interns about to graduate as well as past graduates of the program. Many sites will not hire graduates until after they’ve passed the RD exam.
Q: Do you offer a tour of the OHSU campus?
A: We encourage interested applicants to make an appointment to visit the Dietetic Internship administrative office located in Gaines Hall on the main OHSU campus and meet with the Internship Director. Applicants are welcome to tour the campus afterwards at their leisure.
Q: How do I make an appointment to get more information about the internship?
A: 503 494-7596
Email: GPHN@ohsu.edu
