Belief is the catalyst- then action follows

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Do you know how many years I wasted because I was so self-conscious about my grades and GPA? THREE YEARS, to be exact. Those three years were especially a waste because I did not try to even apply. I've heard how hard it is to get into an internship and thought, "Well, if people with better grades can't get in, then how can I?" I'm here to tell you that that kind of thinking is WRONG. Sure, they may have better grades, but that is not a direct indicator of how well they will function as an RDN. Grades are a part of being a great RD, but personality, common sense, interpersonal skills, empathy, compassion, and passion makes up the whole.

Speaking from experience, I have had co-workers get into a DI and it makes me wonder how they will be as RDs. Sure, they have good grades, but I've seen how they are as a worker. I've seen how much of their work they take seriously. I've seen how they interact with colleagues, staff, managers, and patients. For most of my co-workers, I know that they will go on to become GREAT RDs. But there are some where it makes me wonder how they will be, because I've seen how lazy they are, unreasonable, stubborn, unrealistic, temperamental, irresponsible, unorganized, illogical, toxic, and self-centered. Who would you rather work with? Someone with a low GPA but is a good worker and willing to learn? Or someone with an okay to good GPA who is lazy and unreasonable? I think this is an obvious one- the one with the low GPA, OF COURSE! This goes to show you that grades ARE NOT everything. I've had two internship directors tell me this as well: grades are not everything. Internship committees know this. That is why they have interviews- to get to know the person. This doesn't mean that people with low GPAs have all the great personalities or the people with high GPAs have bad personalities- DEFINITELY NOT. The point of this is to show you that GPAs aren't everything- it is not the only indicator of whether or not you will be a great DI student or if you will be a great RD.

Here is a snippet of a letter that I wrote to my DPD professor after finding out that I was matched: 

"...Another thing I wanted to do was to let you know how much I appreciated your willingness to write a letter of recommendation, as well as your patience with the application process. I actually graduated from (school) in (year) with subpar grades. My grades, as well as the competitiveness of DI programs, discouraged me to even attempt to apply. Immediately after graduating, I retook classes at a JC and obtained an entry level position as a dietary aide. Even though I aced all my classes, my grades from (school) continued to haunt me. Time after time, I would keep telling myself that I would apply for the upcoming cycle. But time and time again, I would make up some excuse for not applying, when what was really holding me back were my grades.

I want to let you know that I am truly grateful that you took it in stride when (...). I knew it was too much to ask for, but also knew that if I didn’t do it this time, I would continue the cycle of making excuses and ending up where I started. I expected criticism and comments when I asked for a letter of recommendation- but you gave me none. On the contrary, you sounded genuine and willing to help. That gave me some relief and the motivation to continue the application process. For this, I am truly grateful. I am finally able to fulfill my career goal of becoming an RD."

This was her response to me:

"CONGRATULATIONS! Fantastic news and thank you for sharing. All of your hard work in school and on the application have certainly paid off.

Thank you for the kind words. Your comments below make it all worth it…success in acceptance to a DI!

All the best and let me know if there’s anything else that you need."

That is how I see it now. I've been holding myself back because I was self-conscious. You just need to believe in yourself because that is when you will be able to achieve anything. If you really want it bad, you can do it. Don't be discouraged if you applied and haven't gotten in. I've known quite a few people who did not get in until their third try. There is no shame in that. As I've mentioned once before, I know of an RD who didn't get matched even after her THIRD time of applying. My clinical preceptor even admitted to me that she did not get in until her third attempt, half of the interns in my program are second and third time applicants, and Toby knows of two people from work who did not get into a DI until their third attempt. After they become RDs, no one will question how long it took them to become RDs or how many times they applied. What matters is they got in. And they will be able to fulfill their dream job. They will be able to finally make use of their nutrition degree and do what they want career-wise. Just remember to reference our other articles to improve your odds of getting into a DI. In life, you have to strategize.

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