Dietetic Internships: What to Expect

"Registered Dietitian" here I come!

April in nutrition land is the month of match day. Students find out after a nerve wracking multi-month period whether they have been selected to continue their path to becoming a registered dietitian. It is extremely competitive (only 50% are matched to a program) and can cause some major wear and tear on your body and mind while you wait. I'm ecstatic to say that I was matched to my number one choice, Virginia Tech and will be a member of their 2011-2012 intern class.

So if you're thinking about a career in dietetics here's what you may feel during the application process and how to cope.

• Anxiety: The "what if''s" of the result possibilities start creeping in after you click submit on your application. You cannot predict the future, so stop trying. The best thing you can do is make a list of what you would need to do in a few scenarios. For example,"What's your back up plan if you don't get matched? If you do get matched, when do you need to start apartment hunting?"  Made your list? Great! Now stop obsessing. You know exactly what will need to be done and when.

• Impatience: After a certain period in the process, it's out of your hands. You may wish you could speed up time to 'get it over with'. For me, the closer match day was, the more impatient I became. Keep busy and enjoy life. I filled my calendar to the brim the week before match day and it definitely helped.

• Would'a Should'a Could'a: You will start thinking of all the things that may  have improved your chances for a match. What if you studied harder for that bio-chemistry test?  The past is the past. You can't change it. Think of it this way, if you tried your hardest why are you worried?

• Count Down Crazy: We both know that you will be sitting on your computer the hour before the designated match time...juuust incase they post early (FYI they won't). Have some laughs. I spent the half hour right before I checked my results on Fail Blog snickering to myself. Laughing out loud has been proven to put you in a better mood and give you a better outlook.

What did I miss? How did you cope with match day thoughts?

-Carlene