Guide for Dietetic Internship Application

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Candidates who wish to apply for a dietetic internship must be graduates of a Dietitians of Canada (DC) accredited undergraduate program or have been assessed for academic equivalency to meet accredited program standards. Applicants must also be Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, or international students at the time of application. International students are only eligible to apply in the year of their university graduation (See under "Working After Graduation" for further information).

  1. Applicants Needing Upgrading

If you graduated from a DC accredited program, and it has been more than 3 years since you graduated, you must first obtain an academic assessment from DC or from a DC accredited undergraduate program. For example, a graduate of May 2009 who applies in February 2012, does not require an assessment for upgrading purposes. However, if that graduate applies in February 2013, an assessment for upgrading will be required. To obtain a DC assessment, please refer to the DC website at:

. Your DC assessment must be submitted to the DC office nolaterthanNovember 15, 2011.

  1. Applicants from Canadian Degree Programs Not Accredited by DC

If you completed a Canadian degree program that was not accredited by DC, you must contact a DC accredited undergraduate program to inquire about the process required to meet academic equivalency to apply for dietetic internship.

  1. Applicants from Non-Canadian Degree Programs

If you completed a non-Canadian degree program, and have been assessed by a Provincial Dietetic Regulatory Body as requiring a dietetic internship, you must be assessed for academic equivalency to apply for a dietetic internship. In order to be eligible for the 2012 internship match, your request for a DC assessment must be submitted to the DC office no laterthanNovember 15, 2011. To obtain a DC assessment, please refer to the DC website at

Rather than applying for internship, you may be eligible to complete a program specifically developed to assist Internationally Educated dietitians to meet registration requirements. For information on these programs refer to the DC website at:

Before undertaking one of these programs, you should check with the Provincial Dietetic Regulatory Body to ensure that the program is acceptable to them.

If you have been assessed by DC, your assessment letter specified any courses you must complete to be eligible to apply for an internship position. Before you can apply for internship, you must provide written confirmation that the academic requirements specified in your DC assessment have been or will be met. Any courses in progress must be completed before the internship program begins. The confirmation process is described on pg. 3-4 and all documents must be submitted to the DC office no later than January 4, 2012 in order to have your Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program forms signed. These forms must be included in each of your internship application packages.

HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY

Application packages are available by mid-October from your university course director or can be downloaded from Dietitians of Canada website:

The application package contains the forms necessary to make application and a Summary Listing of Dietetic Internship Programs. Obtain program brochures from your university program director or consult the DC website at

for condensed versions of the information.

You may apply to 3 programs. Be sure to apply only to those programs from which you would accept an internship position. Completed applications must reach the directors of each dietetic internship program no later than February 1, 2012. It is advised that you send your application packages to the internship programs well in advance of the deadline. Upon receiving your application package, the director will confirm with you if your application is complete or whether information is missing. It is your responsibility to ensure that any missing documentation is received by director no later than February 1, 2012. You must also register in the DC web-based computer system prior to February 1, 2012 in order to be included in the internship selection (see page 5 for detailed information).

SELECTION PROCESS

DC uses a web-based computer system for internship selection. This computerized selection process allows student applicants to enter the 3 internship programs to which they have applied, and permits dietetic internship programs to enter a listing of ranked applicants whom they will accept. The system then matches the student and program lists, and makes offers to successful applicants up to the number of positions available. Some students will receive more than one internship offer, from which they must choose, resulting in program openings. The selection process then continues to move down the program’s list of ranked applicants, notifying successful applicants until all positions have been filled. For this reason, it is important for applicants to monitor their emails on an ongoing basis.

Applicants enter their internship selections via a web-link and receive notification of position acceptance by email. To apply for internship selection, an applicant must pay an Internship Selection fee. This fee allows the student to access the computer system to input their internship program choices. The deadline for application to this selection process is February 1, 2012.

APPLICATION FORMS & DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

It is your responsibility to submit each of the following items to your 3 internship program choices, with the exception of those items asterisked* and noted below.

  • Personalletter
  • Résumé
  • Transcript of Marks
  • Dietetic Internship: Applicant’s Contact Information Sheet
  • Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program (Note: If you had a DC assessment, this form must first be signed by DC’s Professional Affairs designate. A copy of your signed confirmation form must then be sent to each internship program. Note: some internship directors may also request verification of courses in progress. A copy of the assessment letter must also accompany your application).
  • Confidential Report on Dietetic Internship Application
  • Dietetic Internship Acceptance Form (Only if accepted)*
  • Any other material requested on the Internship Brochure for the individual program

INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH FORM/DOCUMENT

Personal Letter

Your reasons for selecting the internship program should be included in this letter to each director. Check the individual internship brochures for requirements that are specific to each program.

Résumé

Your résumé should include your education, paid and volunteer employment experience, and any relevant extracurricular activities.

Transcript of Marks

Your document must be an official transcript bearing the university’s seal or a notarized copy. For students in DC accredited degree programs, transcripts must include marks for all courses completed by the end of the first semester of the current academic year. Forstudents assessed by DC, transcripts must include marks for all courses completed at the time of application. Be sure to order your transcript(s) early as it may take a few weeks for processing by the university. When you graduate, you must also forward an official transcript of your marks to the internship program in which you are enrolled.

Dietetic Internship Applicant’s Contact Information Sheet

This contact sheet will be an important reference for the internship director. Make sure it includes your present and permanent contact information. If any of the information changes, notify the director. A copy must be included in each internship application package. You will need an extra copy of this form if you need your Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program form signed by DC’s Professional Affairs designate.

Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program

If you’re completing your degree in a DC accredited undergraduate program:

This form confirms that you have met or will meet DC’s academic requirements. Fill in your name, the degree(s) you completed or will be completing, the name of the university/ies at which you completed or are completing your degree(s), and the date(s) of your graduation. Ask your university program director to sign one copy of this form for each internship program you are applying to.

If you had a DC academic assessment:

This form confirms that you have met or are working to meet the academic requirements. Follow the instructions below and send these forms to the DC office for signing by the Professional Affairs designate.

Note that all of the following must be submitted to DC before your forms will be signed.

1. Complete 4 copies of this form – the 4th copy will be used for second round application. Fill in your name, the original degree(s) you completed, the name of the university/ies at which you completed your degree(s), and the date(s) of your graduation.

2. Submit a copy of your DC assessment letter. Remember to include a copy of this letter in each internship application as well.

3.If your surname has changed since your DC assessment, you mustsubmit verification of this name change.

4. Submit official transcript(s) or notarized copies that confirm completion of your degree(s).

5. Submit official transcripts or original documents on university letterhead (not photocopies or forms downloaded from the internet) that confirm completion of any courses required to meet academic requirements. Be sure that the documents specify the course name(s). If you have not completed the required courses, provide written verification from the university (not photocopies or forms downloaded from the internet) that you are registered in the course(s).

6. Submit written descriptions for any courses that you have completed or registered in since your DC assessment was completed.

7. Submit one copy of the Dietetic Internship Applicant’s Contact Information Sheet to enable DC to contact you for further information.

  1. Submit all of this documentation to the DC office (address on page 6), Attention: Professional Affairs, no later thanJanuary 4, 2012. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope that will be large enough for the return of the items listed above. If you wish to have these items returned by courier, please include a self-addressed, prepaid Canada Post Xpresspost or Priority Courier envelope. If you live in Toronto, you may wish to pick up your confirmation package from the DC office. Please contact Jenna Smith at 416-642-9315after January 9, 2012to arrange a suitable pick-up time.

Note that DC’s Professional Affairs designate will sign these forms by January 9, 2012. Please do not contact the office before January 9 to inquire about the return of your items.

9. Note: If you cannot meet this deadline, you must notify the DC office beforeJanuary 4, 2012. An extension may be arranged with payment of a $50 administration fee. Extensions will only be granted for compelling reasons, and will not be granted unless DC is notified prior toJanuary 4, 2012, and unless all forms are received no later thanJanuary 12, 2012. Please note that if you are granted an extension, the signed forms cannot be picked up at the DC office. You must include a self-addressed, prepaid Canada Post Xpresspost or a Priority Courier sized envelope to have them returned to you.

Confidential Report on Dietetic Internship Application

You must provide 3 references for each internship program you apply to. Your 3 referees must complete the Confidential Report on Dietetic Internship Application. Include 1 copy of this report from each of your 3 referees in each application package.

Be sure to choose your referees carefully. Referees should know you well enough to judge your performance in most, if not all, of the areas specified on the report form. It is preferred that at least one referee be a DC member. Others referees should include those you know you in a professional, student, or business capacity, for example, a university faculty member, a previous or current employer, and a supervisor of a volunteer work experience. Referees must be impartial. While the use of employers who are relatives is not recommended, instruct them to fully disclose their relationship to you on their referee form.

Ask your referees to return each of their 3 completed forms to you in sealed envelopes that carry their signature across the flap. Photocopies of the confidential report will only be accepted if the signature is original.

Note: The information in the Confidential Reports is for the use of the internship program only and cannot be released to the applicant or any other party at any time, including after the completion of the application process.

Dietetic Internship Acceptance Form

DC sends you notification if you have been accepted into an internship program. Once you have entered the computer system to accept the position, you must return this form to the director immediately – by mail or fax. If you fax the form, you must also mail the copy to the internship program. If you should subsequently decline a position, you must send written notification of your decision to the director as soon as possible.

DC also notifies each university program coordinator of applicants from their academic programs who were successful and unsuccessful in the internship application process. DC will assume an applicant’s consent to the release of this information unless non-disclosure is requested from Jenna Smith at no later than April 1, 2012.

Please note: This package includes a copy of each form required for Internship Application , as well as a list of available internship program positions. Please ensure that each of your internship applications contain the following forms, properly completed:

Dietetic Internship Applicant’s Contact Information Sheet - 1 copy

Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program – 1 copy

Confidential Report on Dietetic InternshipApplication – 3 copies, one from each referee

Important:It is recommended that you obtain an additional copy of your transcripts, Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program form, and referee forms in the event that there is a Second Process Round(see page 6).

DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNSHIP SELECTION PROCESS:

Internship selection is completed through a computerized process managed by DC. In addition to entering program choices into this computer system, applicants must send their completed packages directly to the internship programs. DC will notify applicants of the results of the internship selection process by email only.

Application for Internship Selection:

  • Registration information for payment and access for the Internship Selection process will be available on January 4, 2012 at: Applicants must pay the fee of $141.25 including HST. Payment must be by credit cardor PayPal (no other form of payment is accepted).
  • Once the payment has been processed, applicants will be emailed information about how to enter the system using their email address as their USERNAME. A DC PASSWORD will be provided.
  • An instruction page is provided once an applicant enters the system. Applicants are required to complete a personal profile of contact information and to select, from a drop down menu, the 3 internship programs they have/will apply to. The 3 choices are equal and are not ranked according to preference (i.e. first, second, third). Please note: Payment must be processed and applicants must enter their data into the system no later than February 1, 2012 to be eligible to apply for the internship selection. Applicants can make changes to their personal profile at any time but are not permitted to change their internship selections after the February 1, 2012 application deadline. Failure to register in the computer system or to enter your program choices in the system prior to the deadline will disqualify you from the computer selection process even though you have submitted your applications to the internship programs.

Selection Process- First Process Round:

  • Prior to the start of the First Process Round, Internship Programs will enter a list of all applicants whom they are willing to accept in the numeric order of choice (i.e. #1 is first choice). This list is generated from those applicants who have applied to their program, have created a profile, and have entered their program choices in the system.
  • In the First Selection Round of the First Process Round, internship program selection choices are only considered down to the total number of positions that the program has available.
  • The First Selection Round will begin on March 12, 2012.
  • An email notifies all applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful, of the results of the selection process. Some successful applicants will receive more than one offer.
  • Successful applicants must enter the system to accept a position by 5:00 p.m. March 13, 2012. If a successful applicant does not enter the system within the deadline period, they are disqualified from this selection process but may be offered a position in a subsequent Selection Round. An applicant who declines a position may also be offered a position in a subsequent Selection Round . An applicant who is offered a position but decides not to accept an internship this year, has the option of declining all positions offered in this and subsequent rounds.
  • For programs that do not fill all of their available positions in the First Selection Round, subsequent selection processes will occur by moving down the list of applicants still available on that program’s ranking form. Each subsequent selection will follow within approximately 2 days of the previous notification. Offers will be sent by email to the next applicant on the program list. Successful applicants will be given a response deadline (approximately 2 days). Be sure to monitor your emails on an ongoing basis over the internship application period.
  • The selection process for the First Process Round will continue until all programs have filled their available positions. If a program runs out of available applicants, a Second Selection Round may be required.

Please note: After successful applicants accept a position through the computer selection process, they must send the Dietetic Internship Acceptance Form directly to the internship program within 48 hours of acceptance.

Selection Process- Second Process Round:

  • If a Second Process Round is required, all unsuccessful applicants will receive an email to inform them of the application process and the deadline for application. Only applicants from the First Process Round are eligible to apply, and an application can only be made to oneprogram. Those who have accepted an internship position in the First Process Round are not eligible to apply for the Second Process Round.
  • An application package for the Second Process Round will be made available for download on the DC website. The package will contain available internship program openings and the dates for the Second Process Round selection.
  • Applicants apply directly to the Dietetic Internship Program of their choice. All parts of the application package must be supplied by the applicant directly to their Second Process Round program choice. No documents will be transferred from a First Round program to a Second Round program.
  • Once applicants have submitted their internship package to the program, they must go into the internship selection program and enter the program they have applied for. There is no additional charge for the Second Process Round application.
  • Successful applicants will be informed by email of the program that has selected them. They must then enter the computer system to verify acceptance of the program, by the date specified in the email. Please note: The applicant must send the Dietetic Internship Acceptance Form directly to the internship program within 48 hours of acceptance.

Completion of Annual Internship Selection: