HOW TO APPLY – Prospective Applicants – Spring Match

Application Weighting: 

We do not have exact "weights" for the various components of the application, but rather look at the application as a whole. Write about you and not of your suspected expectations to appease the program.  We  embrace diverse (different) applications—of experience, background  and culture—to comprise a diverse cohort. It is best to be your unique self!

Intern professionalism, maturity, integrity,  flexibility and resilience are key intern characteristics for successful completion of this invaluable experience in ALL dietetic internship programs.  A dietetic internship program is a college-graduate program and expectations of all stakeholders are that interns conducts themselves as graduates (and not undergraduates).

INTERNS ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR PROFESSION AND A PART OF THE BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE OF DIETETICS!

HINT: It's also a good idea to start on the applications sooner and apply sooner (than later) to ALL programs because it provides :

1) those writing  of reference to not be rushed and write better references and

2) internship programs have even more time to read applications in detail. 

3) It also indicates to programs that you are not "last minute", although this won't change acceptance to a program but could help you stand out!

Application Requirements:

• A BS degree or later, a MS degree to meet 2024 requirements. (Please see the notice on the Home page.)
• An official signed DPD Verification Statement (signed up to three years prior to the current application year) or a DPD Verification of Intent to Complete is required.
• Applicants with a felony conviction will be disqualified because of rotation site requirements.
• An overall GPA of 2.8 and a DPD GPA of 3.0 / B is required.
• However, because of the number of applications received, most interns have a higher GPA. GGDI looks at the entire application and person, and on occasion has accepted interns who became successful graduates who originally had low DPD grades.
• All D’s and F’s must have been repeated with a grade of C or better.
• A complete and competitive application also includes: A summary of  work and / or volunteer experience, three (3) letters of recommendation,  a personal statement (written by the applicant following the GGDI  provided outline), and an expressed interest in leading and managing a  nutrition project in the community.
• COVID vaccination and 2 boosters, and others if required.
• Complete and timely applications ensure consideration (that indicate the applicant read the directions and website).
• After admittance into the GGDI Program, all remaining coursework must be completed with a minimum of a “C” grade.
• Please also view our ISPP program page, if you do not meet these requirements or do not believe you have a good chance of matching.

• Applications MUST be submitted via the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) portal at https://page.liaisonedu.com/dicas/apply  before February 15 (Spring Match) at 11:59 p.m., Central Time. (For more information, please see the Detailed Steps section below.) 
• DICAS shows the program starts in Fall, but is not necessarily true for those on the Dec 2023 completion track. It will obviously be sooner and most likely on a case-by-case basis.
• DICAS Webadmit instruction video: https://vimeo.com/752082325/0893b172b9
• Applicants must use the national computer matching process, D&D Digital at http://www.dnddigital.com/  BY THE  SAME DEADLINE. (For more information, please see the  Detailed Steps section below.)
• #123-SF BAY MS (Degree holder; needs a MS to start GGDI  for the regular start in the Fall, the Friday after Labor day) 

                           (It might say "North Bay" but ignore that)

• #979 -SF BAY BS (Degree holder; needs only a BS to start GGDI 

                  in the summer--dates will vary dependent on both preceptor and intern  

                  availability---all to get done before December!) 

• Applicants must mail a $50 check to GGDI. (For more information, please see the Detailed Steps section below. (THIS IS NOT  REQUIRED FOR ISPP APPLICANTS)
• If you are matched to GGDI, you must notify us by phone or email , to confirm acceptance by 6:00 pm Pacific Time on Appointment Day. We do not hold the appointed position if we do not receive your acceptance.
• Applicants not accepted into any program and who are still  interested in GGDI, are encouraged to email GGDI of their availability or apply for the ISPP.

• Submit your application through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) at http://portal.dicas.org before February 15 (SPRING) at 11:59 p.m., Central Time.   DICAS charges a fee to use this  online application system. 
• As part of the application process, you will also need to send  a copy of the official transcript  from each college and university you have attended to the following  address:

                                                  DICAS Transcript Department
                                                 PO Box 9118
                                                 Watertown, Massachusetts 02472

• DICAS customer support dicasinfo@dicas.org or 617-612-2855.

PERSONAL STATEMENT:

For the GGDI Program, ensure your Personal Statement is not more than 800 words. Everyone appreciates a thoughtful, informed and concise read, and it may be written with bullets and must be written by YOU.  Please USE THIS OUTLINE and headers to describe:

1. Obstacle(s): What is/are the greatest obstacle(s) you faced in the pursuit of a career in Dietetics? 
2. Why a RD: Why do you want to be a Registered Dietitian? (Not what event made you decide to become a dietitian, but what you want to do with the credential.) What does your life look like after the program?
3. Expectations: What are your realistic, honest expectations of the GGDI Program  experience—what do you envision? What transformations do you see yourself achieving?
4. Culture: What is the significance  of nutrition from your cultural perspective?  Explain ways you show and adapt to cultural humility and sensitivity. What strategies do you use to recognize biases in yourself and others to reduce oppression and discrimination?
5. Global: As a future RD in the optimal position to limit global climate change and improve global health, describe your idea(s).
6. Conclusion: What other information do you believe would be of value to the selection committee when reviewing your application for consideration?
7. EVEN IF YOU DO NOT APPLY TO GGDI, THIS IS A WONDERFUL EXERCISE TO HELP YOU ID YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS!

REFERENCES: 

Please include three(3) references that will help the selection committee know more about you as an applicant beyond your application. 

Here are some examples:

• Only been in school: counselors, lecturers, professors

• Was in school with a part-time/full-time job: lecturers, professors, direct supervisor(s)

• Graduated and worked in past year or more: perhaps one university-based and the other two from employers.

There is not an exact rule about "references" and we ask you use your critical thinking and best judgement so to represent you!

Register for computer matching to the GGDI Program. To do this, register, identify and rank GGDI code # 123  or #979at D&D Digital by February 15 at 11:59 p.m., Central Time. Please refer to the Spring 2023 Timeline on the D&D Digital website.  

D&D Digital also charges a fee for using the computer matching process. Starting for the spring 2023 match, the D&D Digital one-time fee for applicants is $65 —a one-time fee no matter how many programs an applicant is ranking. 

Enter this online at D&D DIGITAL. You may change the rankings later. Please check the D&D Digital website for updates on the matching process and deadline dates for these steps. D&D Digital may be reached at info@dnddigital.com or 515-292-0490.

This step does not apply to those applying to the ISPP.

• Please write a $50 check payable to “Golden Gate Dietetic Internship.” There is no other system for payment. (No fee for ISPP applicants).
• Mail this non-refundable GGDI program application fee to GGDI. It must be postmarked by February 15. (The postmark is the date shown on the outside of the envelope that the postal service stamps, no matter where it is mailed. FedEx and UPS also date stamp items, but these are more expensive.  Mail early using minimal postage/stamps and note your email address  to receive confirmation—so to save your valued resources for other items.)

                                          Applications--AG
                                        336 Bon Air Center, # 224
                                        Greenbrae, CA 94904