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All applicants to the NHC Dietetic Internship go through a computerized matching process with D & D Digital.  Applicants should go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to receive instructions and timelines for computer matching and information on the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS). There is a $65.00 D & D computer matching fee, a $50.00 DICAS fee and a $50.00 graduate school application fee (only if matched with NHC). There is no application fee charged by NHC for applications.

Care is taken during recruitment and selection, as well as actual administration, to protect student civil rights. The program director seeks a diversified class and works to maintain an appropriate percentage between minorities who interview for the program and those accepted. The program and sponsoring organization both adhere to policies regarding the selection, hiring and promotion based on ability regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), age, national origin, disability, and genetic information. Student privacy is respected during the program. Grades and evaluation outcomes are handled on an individual basis, and space is provided in the internship director’s office for private counseling as needed.

Application for Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarships for 2024 – 2025 Academic Year 

 The application can be downloaded from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics from September 2023 to February 2024. Traditionally, the scholarship application must be completed and postmarked by February 15, 2024, but please check the website for updated deadlines. https://eatrightfoundation.org/why-it-matters/scholarships/  

 Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400      education@eatright.org

Students must be members of The Academy to be eligible. Dietetic internship applicants may also want to contact their state dietetic association to check on available scholarships awarded for completion of the dietetic internship.  

Recency of education: Additional courses in a nutrition or dietetics related area are required to update a degree which was completed five or more years prior to application to the NHC Dietetic Internship program. Courses must be taken at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university and require a grade of B or better. An official transcript of these courses must be provided. If your degree was completed 5 to 10 years ago, at least six semester hours is required. If your degree was completed within the past 0 to 5 years, no updated courses are required. This requirement may be waived, depending on work experience since graduation, as approved by the director. 

 The Dietetic Internship Program at NHC is participating in the centralized application process. There are three steps to the application process: 

 Step One: DICAS online application 

Step Two: D & D Digital Computer Matching

Step Three: Apply to the MTSU MPS Program (the last week of April, immediately following matching and accepting NHC’s program).

Contact DI Director after match for further instructions. 

 Step One: Centralized Application: DICAS  

  • DICAS Application can be accessed at Dietetic Internship Centralized Services (available in late October). Email DICASinfo@DICAS.org. The online application MUST be completed by February 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm, Central Standard Time. Confirm this deadline on the DICAS website. 
  • The fee to DICAS is $50.00 for the first application and $25.00 for each additional application.  
  • On the DICAS application, applicants will be asked to complete a personal statement in 1,000 words or less. Information to be addressed includes:  
  1. Why do you want to become a dietitian?
  2. What are some experiences that have helped you prepare for your career? 
  3. Short and long-term goals.
  4. Strengths and areas needing improvement. 
  5. Why are you applying for the NHC program? 
  6. If you are interested in the supervised practice option only (Graduate degree completed).
  7. Pre-select interest (MTSU applicants only).
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent to: 

DICAS-Transcript Dept.
PO Box 9118
Watertown, MA 02472 

  • GRE score is NOT required with an undergraduate gpa of 3.25 or higher. There are also exceptions for graduates with lower gpa’s who have prior professional work experience in a related field. Please review the MPS graduate degree webpage for admission requirements at https://www.mtsu.edu/university-college/mps/ 
  • The recommended minimum GPA is 3.0 (overall) and 3.2 (DPD). The average GPA over the past three years has been 3.5 to 3.7. 
  • When completing the application form, you must list three references and include the names and contact information (email address) for each. This will trigger an email message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed online. At least one recommendation from your advisor or a professor in your major field and a work recommendation are preferred.  
  • Work experience, especially in a nutrition or food service-related field, is recommended. Leadership roles, length of employment, number of hours worked, and volunteer experience will also be considered. 
  • Over the past five years, we have received an average of 20 applications per year. Once these applications are reviewed, approximately 15 are selected for a virtual interview. 
  • Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination series, some of the affiliate sites where the dietetic interns complete supervised practice hours require vaccines. With this consideration in mind, the 2024-25 NHC dietetic internship matched applicants may be required to be vaccinated to begin the program in June 2024. Please do not include this information in your application or during an interview if you are selected for an interview.  
  • The NHC application fee of $30 has been waived for the 2024-25 application. There is no fee to apply.  

 Step Two: Computer Matching D & D Digital 

  • Register online for computer matching and select your dietetic internship priority choices by 11:59 pm Central Time on February 15, 2024. There is a $65.00 computer matching fee to D & D Digital, payable when your priority choices are identified. Confirm this date on D & D Digital Systems. D & D Digital Systems, 3100 S. Riverside Drive, PO Box 887, Ames, IA 50019. 

 Pre-Select Option Application Procedures 

 The Preselect Option allows a stand-alone dietetic internship (DI) to grant early admission to applicants from didactic programs in dietetics (DPD program) through which NHC DI/MPS has an established affiliation agreement.  

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) students having earned or expecting to earn a DPD verification statement from MTSU prior to the National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) DI/MPS start date in May 2024, are eligible to apply to be preselected for one of three possible slots (all three slots may or may not be filled). Applications will be reviewed based on GPA, personal statement, references, work and volunteer experiences. After confirmation of pre-select acceptance, students must notify D&D Digital to remove their name and information from the D&D Digital Match list. Once preselected interns are confirmed, NHC will e-mail D&D Digital (info@dnddigital.com) the preselected individuals’ names with their email addresses before February 1, 2024. With this information, D&D Digital will be able to ensure that these students are not participating in the computer match.  

 

What happens if an intern is not accepted during Preselect? The applicant may still apply to other DI programs through the Match process. The applicant may reapply to the NHC DI/MPS and will be given full consideration. Please visit the ACEND website for more information on the regular DICAS and computer Match timeline. 

Preselect Application Requirements:
Official transcripts: If the degree(s) are still in progress, the transcript should show coursework completed to date. A bachelor’s degree must be completed before the start of the DI/MPS in May 2024. 

  • DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent 
  • Personal Statement 
  • Three letters of recommendation 

Preselect Application Process:
The steps to apply to the NHC DI/MPS Preselect Option are outlined below: 

  1. Complete a DICAS application at http://dicas.liaisoncas.com 
  2. Email NHC DI/MPS at ppoe@nhccare.com to let us know that you have applied through the Preselect Option. 

Deadlines for Preselect for the Spring 2024 match:
DICAS Application Opens: late October 2024

  • Preselect Application for NHC DI/MPS Deadline: January 4, 2024 
  • Applicants will be notified by January 8, 2024, if they will be interviewed. Interviews on January 10-11, 2024  
  • Notification of Decision: January 12, 2024 (to allow unmatched MTSU DPD students to participate in the national DICAS process, if not selected for one of NHC’s pre-select slots). 
  • Applicant must accept position by January 16, 2024, and immediately notify D&D Digital to remove them from the computer matching list. 

  Step One: Centralized Application: DICAS  

  • DICAS Application can be accessed at Dietetic Internship Centralized Services 
  • See DICAS and computer matching instructions above,
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