Frequently Asked Questions - Veterans Affairs



Frequently Asked Questions

Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Dietetic Internship Program

Q: My DPD-Director told me that it’s very hard to get into a DVA internship program because they are too competitive. My DPD-Director told me I shouldn’t even bother applying. How competitive is it to get into your internship program?

A: All Dietetic Internship Programs are competitive, and DVA Dietetic Internship Programs are not more competitive than other internship programs throughout the country. DVA Internship Programs are in teaching hospitals, provide a variety of hands-on experiences, have state-of-the art resources, and the DVA pays a stipend. Candidates interested in applying to a DVA Dietetic Internship Program should find out about the program to see if the program matches your personal goals, mission, and philosophy. All interested persons should apply to a DVA Dietetic Internship Program.

Q: What is your pass rate on the registration examination?

A: We have a 100% first-year pass rate over the past 5 years.

Q: What is your patient population?

A: The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DVAMC) provides health care to men and women who have served our country. Our patient population is made up of Veterans from World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf Wars. Our patient population is 97% male and 3% female. The dietetic interns develop strong clinical skills from working with a variety of patients with complex medical conditions and social needs. We do not clinically assess children.

Q: Does your internship program offer opportunities to work with other populations?

A: Yes. Our outside affiliations allow interns to work with women and children in the Women, Infants, and Children rotation (WIC). Interns also have opportunities to work in areas of wellness and health promotion and disease prevention at the VA and in a variety of community populations including Operation Food Search, the St. Louis Area Food Bank and St. Luke’s Community Outreach Program. Various projects also expose interns to men and women of a variety of ages.

Q: Do you have a Grade Point Average Requirement (GPA)?

A: A minimum of a 3.3 GPA overall is required and a 3.3 in Science.

Q: Do you require GRE scores?

A: GRE scores are not required, but we ask that you include them if you have taken the GRE within the previous 3 years.

Q: I am not a U.S. Citizen. Can I still apply to your program?

A: In order to be considered for our dietetic internship program, you must be a U.S. Citizen at the time of application.

Q: How much is your application fee?

A: There is NO application fee to apply for our program.

Q: What areas of dietetic practice are graduates from your program currently working in?

A: Our program prepares future dietitians to work in a variety of areas in dietetics. Graduates from our program have found dietetic-related jobs in clinical nutrition and food service management with in the VA as well as specialty areas such as renal nutrition and eating disorders; long term care; outpatient counseling; community nutrition, including working with patients with HIV and AIDS and the WIC program; business and industry; consulting; sales for pharmaceutical companies; positions in management; and other positions in a variety of unique areas, including sports nutrition and culinary settings.

Q: How are interns selected, and what other criteria are you looking for in an ideal applicant?

A: A selection committee, which consists of the dietetic internship director and staff dietitians who serve as preceptors for interns, will interview and rank the applicants. The committee looks for well-rounded individuals with a solid science and dietetics knowledge base, awareness of our profession, a good work ethic, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong professional ethics and conduct. Applicants must have well developed multi-tasking and time management skills, be eager to “jump in” and learn, and prefer working with adults. The best candidates must work well both independently and on multiple teams simultaneously. Criteria used for ranking applicants includes:

❑ Grade Point Average: As previously mentioned, an overall minimum 3.3 GPA is required. However, please keep in mind that the selection committee will evaluate you on your entire application package not the GPA alone.

❑ Personal Letter of Application: Please tell us about yourself and answer the five questions on the website “Application Information” page. Elaborate on any experiences you may have had in college, work, or volunteer positions that have prepared you for a dietetic internship.

❑ Work and/or Volunteer Experience: Previous paid or non-paid dietetic related experience is a factor that is weighed in the selection of candidates. Non-dietetic related work experience may also be included on your application. If the bulk of your work experience is not related to dietetics, you should explain in your personal letter of application how this experience can be applied or transferred to the dietetic filed. In other words, how has it prepared you for your professional future as a dietitian?

❑ Letters of Recommendation: We are looking for two (2) reference letters from professors in your food, nutrition, and dietetics courses, and one (1) reference letter from a work or volunteer experience. Chosen references must fill out the recommendation section online at DICAS.

❑ Interview: A 2-person team interview using the performance-based interviewing method will be done with the final candidates. The final candidates will be contacted via email to establish the interview date and time. The interview is done via phone only; no in-person interviews are conducted. The interview is not knowledge-based, therefore there is no studying to do. However, you may wish to personally learn more about this interviewing method to help you feel more comfortable during the interview.

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