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Dietetic Internship Program

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Application Information

The Lexington VA Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Program Application Information

Interns must complete the online application utilizing the online centralized internship application, DICAS. This application may be accessed at https://portal.dicas.org/ beginning December 1, 2023. The online application must be completed by February 15, 2024, for spring matching. The Lexington VA Dietetic Internship Program will accept 3 interns per year with the program beginning in August.

Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must be US citizens.
  • Applicants must have completed all DPD requirements from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. An original signed copy of the DPD Verification Statement must be provided.
  • Applicants must have completed a master's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited university prior to admission to our dietetic internship. Updated transcripts for master's degrees must be received prior to the program start date. FDE equivalent will not be accepted for this internship. 
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.2 with a minimum science GPA of 3.0
  • Males must have registered for selective service (or be exempt) to be eligible to apply to this program.

Application Requirements

  • Personal statement. Include: Why you are interested in our program specifically? What makes you a good fit for our program? Why you want to be a dietitian? What are some experiences that have prepared you for this internship? What are your short term/long term goals, strengths, and weaknesses?
  • DPD Verification Statement.
  • Transcripts from all universities attended.
  • Three letters of recommendation - two professors (including the DPD director) and one work supervisor. You may use alternate references with approval from the Lexington VA Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Director. Please call with questions.
  • A resume with complete work and volunteer history.

Candidates are evaluated in terms of academic achievement and personal statement as well as work, volunteer, leadership, and research experiences.  Work experience in an area related to dietetics is considered beneficial to the student’s overall preparation for the dietetic internship but is not mandatory.

Appointees must be physically and mentally able to perform the responsibilities of a dietetic intern safely and efficiently. Appointees will need to provide proof of immunization status including documentation of vaccinations for healthcare workers as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) including the COVID-19 vaccination. Appointees will be required to undergo a background check and drug screen prior to starting the program.

Program Matching

Applicants to Dietetic Internships must participate in computer matching through D&D Digital Systems. Website at https://www.dnddigital.com/. Students will access the D&D Digital Systems website on match day to review their personal matching results. Students receiving a match to the Lexington VA Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Program must contact the Internship Director by phone at (859)-381-4328 or by email at cassandra.downing@va.gov to accept or reject the appointment by 4:30 pm on match day.

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