Episode 09: How NOT to Talk About Your GPA in Your Personal Statement

IN THIS EPISODE

Your GPA by itself is not a strength or a weakness – regardless of what the number is. If you were planning to write it as one or the other in your personal statement, it’s time to think bigger. Not bigger than whatever numerical value your GPA has been given – bigger as in actual contributing factors to what made your GPA that number. THOSE are strengths and weaknesses directors want to read about.

In this episode, we’re talking about what DI directors see in DICAS, and what’s going on while students wait for notification day to come around. Here are some important things we’ll discuss:

1. Why your GPA by itself is a cop-out as a strength or a weakness

2. Possible strengths or weaknesses you could write about that are still related to your GPA’s numeric value

3. What directors actually hope to read about your strengths and weaknesses in your personal statement

YOUR ACTION STEP

Use your GPA as a starting point to figure out what truly are your strengths and weaknesses to share in your personal statement. Do not use your GPA by itself – instead describe what strengths and/or weaknesses make up who you are and contributed to your GPA being what it is.

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Episode 09 Show Notes: applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep09

Submit your questions to be answered on the Application Insider Podcast: https://applicationinsider.co/podcast

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at applicationinsider.co

Follow along on Instagram @applicationinsider

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Join the Personal Statement Workshop: https://applicationinsider.co/workshops

Episode 08: What Do Directors See in DICAS?

IN THIS EPISODE

When you submit your application to DI directors through DICAS, what exactly do they see? You’ve been thinking about this application day and night for weeks, maybe even months. You hit submit and then what? There are a few more weeks of waiting until notification day when you find out if your application did the one thing you want it to: help you Match to a dietetic internship.

In this episode, we’re talking about what DI directors see in DICAS, and what’s going on while students wait for notification day to come around. Here are some important things we’ll discuss:

1. What DICAS looks like on directors’ side as they review applications.

2. What is happening at programs in the weeks between the application deadline and notification day.

3. How to see your application the same way directors will see it.

YOUR ACTION STEP

Review your own application from the director’s view. Find the FORMATTED version in DICAS and double check that everything is just how you want it to be. Whatever you see in that view is what directors will see when they pull up your submitted application.

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Episode 08 Show Notes: applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep08

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Y_9W-amAws0

Submit your questions to be answered on the Application Insider Podcast: https://applicationinsider.co/podcast

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at applicationinsider.co

Follow along on Instagram @applicationinsider

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Application Match Calendars: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students

Schedule your Ask Me Anything call: https://applicationinsider.co/application-services-all/ask-me-anything

Join the Personal Statement Workshop: https://applicationinsider.co/workshops

Episode 07: What is YOUR DICAS Deadline?

IN THIS EPISODE

The Application deadlines for the Fall and Spring Match are always set ahead of time: Sept 25 for Fall Match, and February 15 for Spring Match. When you’re working on your application, that deadline can feel pretty daunting as it gets closer. My suggestion is that you actually set your OWN application deadline, and make it even earlier.

In this episode, we’re talking about why setting your own deadline makes sense, even thought that means shortening even by just a day or two, the amount of time you have to work on your application. Here are some important things we’ll discuss:

1. Making sure you know what else is going on around the same time as the application deadline.

2. What absolutely must be complete for you to be able to hit submit – and what you actually don’t need to wait for.

3. How to meet your own deadline and rest easy that your DICAS application is on its way.

YOUR ACTION STEP

Set a reminder in your phone or write into your calendar that your own application deadline is now 2 days ahead! Plan to get everything completed by then. Know that when that day comes around, you will be ready to hit submit – or still have a bit of a buffer to make up time if you really do need it.

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Application Match Calendars: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students

Schedule your Ask Me Anything call: https://applicationinsider.co/application-services-all/ask-me-anything

Join the Personal Statement Workshop: https://applicationinsider.co/workshops

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Episode 07 Show Notes: applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep07

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at applicationinsider.co

Follow along on Instagram @applicationinsider

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/jdisW_FsYlg

Episode 06: COVID-19 Updates for Entering Courses

IN THIS EPISODE

COVID-19 has thrown us all for a loop. Big questions have come up about how grades will be considered in the DICAS application, especially is student performance was impacted by COVID-19 changes. Fortunately, DICAS has created two options to help account for this unexpected pandemic.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How DICAS allows you to designate courses that were impacted by COVID-19.

2. What DICAS will do with that information to calculate your DPD GPAs.

3. What you can do to make sure the grades info you enter into DICAS is correct

YOUR ACTION STEP

Read through the instructions for the “Sessions & Coursework” section of the DICAS application so you fully understand the options. Click around to become more familiar with the information you’ll enter and what the drop-down options are. Enter your coursework details with confidence!

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Get the GPA & Coursework Spotlight Review: https://applicationinsider.co/application-services-all/spotlight-gpa-coursework

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Episode 06 Show Notes: applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep06

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at applicationinsider.co

Follow along on Instagram @applicationinsider

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Episode 05: Timing DPD Graduation with DI Application

IN THIS EPISODE

Do you know what to expect if you’re applying to a dietetic internship before you officially graduate from your DPD program? Do you wish you could apply to an internship earlier than you have been planning to based on your expected graduation? Learn about what options might be available to you to time your application with your graduation and get on the early train to your career!

In this episode, we’re talking about how timing between your DPD graduation you’re your DI application need to be considered:

1. How your verification statement fits into your DI application, whether or not you’ve completed your DPD program yet.

2. What options might be available to you for when to apply even before you graduate.

3. Specific questions to ask directors while researching programs to be fully informed to make the decision about an application timeline that will be a good fit for you

YOUR ACTION STEP

Look at a calendar to see when your graduation falls and which Match periods are both before and after that date. Think about what it would mean to look into a different Match period than you’ve already been planning on. Then get the information you need from programs to see if you can do anything earlier!

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Join the Personal Statement Workshop waitlist: https://applicationinsider.co/workshops

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Episode 05 Show Notes: applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep05

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at applicationinsider.co

Follow along on Instagram @applicationinsider

Episode 04: is a Distance Dietetic Internship Right for You?

IN THIS EPISODE

Have you considered applying to a distance dietetic internship? While distance programs are still considered by many to be “non-traditional,” they can be a great option for a lot of dietetics students. With information, you can be more intentional about your decision of whether or not to consider one for yourself.

In this episode, we’re talking about distance programs and the interns that can succeed in them:

1. What elements do you need to be aware of for a distance program application?

2. Which types of personal qualities and characteristics might lead to a distance program being a good fit?

3. How can you get the information you need to answer your questions and make the determination for yourself?

YOUR ACTION STEP

Include at least one distance dietetic internship to your list of programs to learn more about. You don’t have to apply for one, but it’s better to be informed about why or why not you think it would work for you.

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Application Insider Guidance on this topic: https://applicationinsider.co/application-services-all/workbook*

Join the Personal Statement Workshop waitlist*: https://applicationinsider.co/workshops

*Get a code for $5 off your purchase of the Application Prep Workbook when you add your name to the Personal Statement Workshop Waitlist!

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Episode 04 Show Notes: applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep04

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at applicationinsider.co

Follow along on Instagram @applicationinsider

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Distance Dietetic Internships: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/dietetic-internships

Episode 03: Programs vs Spots

IN THIS EPISODE

With a Match rate of only at 60-65% lots of dietetics students wonder how they can increase their chances of getting a match. Many also wonder of more programs = a better match chance.

In this episode, we’re addressing Match rates from several angles:

1. The 2019 numbers: number of spots, number of applicants, and number of matches.

2. How both the number of programs and the number of spots need to be considered when you’re estimated how to maximize your own match chance.

3. What additional information you need and how to ask directors about it so you have more accurate numbers about the competition you might be up against.

YOUR ACTION STEP

Gather these important numbers from at least one of the programs you are interested in applying to so you’ll be better informed with insider insight to make your application stand out.

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Application Insider Guidance on this topic: https://applicationinsider.co/application-services-all/spotlight-resume-experience

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Episode 03 Show Notes: https://applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep03

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at https://applicationinsider.co

Follow along on instagram https://instagram.com/applicationinsider

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Academy Matching Rates Table: https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/eatrightpro-files/acend/program-directors/dietetic-internship-match-for-directors/1993-2019-comptr-mtchg-stats-chart.pdf?la=en&hash=52F5CEB4C8E450409E41FDF4CF9E7E67DB98CDE7

(Note: on a table from the previous year, the ** note means “**Percent matched does not include positions filled after the match date.”)

Academy Dietetic Internship Info: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/dietetic-internships

Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice: https://www.eatrightstore.org/product-type/books/applicant-guide-to-supervised-practice-2019-2020

Episode 02: The First Thing to Do in DICAS

IN THIS EPISODE

There is one piece of advice you’ve probably heard for many things that have come up in life. It also applies to your DICAS application: Read. The. Instructions.

On this episode, we’re talking about how you can begin to get ahead in DICAS and how reading the instructions will make sure that:

1. You’ll be prepared.

2. You’ll be familiar with one of your best resources.

3. You’ll be informed.

YOUR ACTION STEP

Login to DICAS – create your account if you haven’t already – and start reading the instructions and clicking around, so you’ll be more familiar with the application software.

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Application Insider Guidance on this topic: https://applicationinsider.co/application-services-all/workbook

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Episode 02 Show Notes: https://applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep02

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at https://applicationinsider.co

Follow along on instagram https://instagram.com/applicationinsider

Episode 01: Do You Have the “Right” Experience?

So many dietetics students have questions and concerns about the work/volunteer section of the DICAS application.

On this episode, we’re tackling three important questions:

1. Is clinical the “best” type of experience?

2. Is getting experience more important than applying to an internship?

3. Is experience the most important part of the application?

Your Action Step for this episode:

Identify the transferable dietetics-related skills you gained in at least one of your work/volunteer positions, and how you will carry them into your internship and career.

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Application Insider Guidance on this topic: https://applicationinsider.co/application-services-all/spotlight-resume-experience

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Episode 01 Show Notes: https://applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep01

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at https://applicationinsider.co

Follow along on instagram https://instagram.com/applicationinsider

SUMMARY

The Trailer Episode for the Application Insider Podcast

You’re looking for tips and guidance you can use in your dietetics education.

I’m a former dietetic internship director with insights to help you do just that.

Hi everyone, my name is Nicole Vance and I am the founder of Application Insider where I guide dietetics students to create stand out internship applications. This podcast is going to be your go-to source for getting to the next step in your dietetics education, wherever you are on that path.

Find more dietetics tips and guidance at applicationinsider.co.

Follow along on instagram @applicationinsider.