Didn't match to a dietetic internship
Not being matched to a DI is just one of those many hurdles in life that you will get over. I KNOW it. YES, it is disheartening. YES, you will cry. YES, you will question yourself. But DO NOT think that you are a failure. You haven't failed. You just found more ways that won't work. Life isn't easy. Getting into a dietetic internship isn't easy. All you have to do is try, try, and try again. You can wallow in self-pity, because we all need that once in a while. But make sure you stand back up and be ready for second-round matching. There are plenty of great dietitians that weren't matched the first time around. Or even the second or third time! I have known so many dietetic interns who didn't get into an internship until their second or third attempt. Getting into a dietetic internship isn't all rainbows and butterflies. It tests your perseverance. You will see other people get matched, but you should take a little time and think to yourself- how many attempts was it for them this time? And if it was their first attempt, then good for them. Use this as a learning lesson to make yourself a better candidate. Not only have I known of some interns that have gotten into an internship after their second and third attempt, but I currently work with an RD who didn't get matched even AFTER her third attempt! Yes, she still has not gotten matched, but is an RD. How did this happen, you ask? She reached out to DI directors after finding out that she wasn't matched and asked what she could do to become a better candidate. One particular DI director got back to her and told her that they still had an opening for their DI because no one wanted to relocate to that area. So what did she do? She took that spot and ended up relocating for that DI (so yes, she got into a DI, but she didn't technically receive a "match"). And she is one of the best dietitians that I have met! She is also great to work with and everyone likes her! It just goes to show you that not matching to a DI does not define you. It's what you are willing to do to get into a DI or to become a better DI applicant that matters.
What can I do now?
This is actually two of the (many) tips that we provide our members to improve their odds of getting into a dietetic internship. However, I will make an exception for those of you who didn't match because you guys especially, hold a dear place in my heart. Toby and I have not actually been in your situation before- we got matched on our first try. But like I mentioned earlier, getting matched is not all rainbows and butterflies. Click HERE if you would like to read our story. But unlike you brave souls out there, we spent THREE YEARS hiding from the DI matching process and definitely regret it. We were uncompetitive applicants and wasted those years by not trying. So even if you guys are frustrated with yourselves for not getting matched, think of the people out there who are too afraid to apply to a DI (like yours truly) and the years they are wasting without even trying. Those people are more likely to get stuck in their current situation and not become RDs. Anyway, here are our biggest tips right now, if you are reading this during the matching process:
- Contact DI directors. It's important to reach out to directors and ask why you weren't accepted. This is a great platform for improving your future application- and it's advice that is coming directly from the person who participates in choosing interns for the program that you are interested in. You can get feedback on your experiences, personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc. This is incredibly important, especially if you end up receiving a poor letter of recommendation from one of your references. Directors will let you know if that was the case. Try to do this the day you find out that you are not matched. You never know- they could have made a mistake and could actually offer you a spot right then and there. I've heard of this happening before (oddly enough).
- Apply to second round matching and ISPPs. If you are not matched during first round matching, you have another chance to apply to programs that have unfilled positions. Also, during second round matching, Individualized Supervised Practice Pathways (ISPPs) become available. They are basically distance DIs where interns generally have to secure their own rotations. The way that second round matching works is that D&D will have a list of programs with unfilled spots and you will have to reach out and apply to those programs. Again, I can't stress this enough- there is no harm in applying for second round matching. This is increasing your chances of getting into a DI. It is the same cycle, so if you end up getting in through second round matching, you will be completing your internship at the same time-frame that you had planned. Also, you will have all of your transcripts, LORs, etc, at your fingertips! There are plenty of people who get in during second round matching. If these people who got into second round matching didn't participate in second round matching, they obviously wouldn't have gotten into an internship during that cycle- which will put them back at least half a year. Think about it this way- if you don't opt for second round matching, you may have to update some of your DICAS information when you decide to apply for another cycle. This is an analogy that I can think of- You're in college and you need to enroll in a class for that quarter/semester in order to graduate on time. But the classroom is full. What you can do is put your name on the waiting list and go to class the first day and see if the professor can make room for you, right? Well, if you don't apply to second round matching for a DI, it is like you are not attempting to put your name on the waiting list in this analogy or not talking to the professor about it and just settling for graduating late without trying. There isn't much more work that you have to do- so just do it!!!
Definitely apply for second round matching. Some internships even reserve some of their internship spots for second round matching because they know that some great applicants will fall through the cracks during the first match (which is also why ISPPs exist). I've known some great people who got into ISPPs as well as other people who got into second round matching. There are some people that have applied to internships a second and third time and have not applied to second round matching and I just want to shake them and ask what they were thinking!!! If they had, they probably didn't even have to apply to DIs a second and third time! One of the interns in my class got in during second round matching and it was her third attempt applying to a DI. I asked her if she did second round matching the first and second time that she applied to DIs and she said no -____-. Her reasoning? Because she was too frustrated and sad that she did not get matched. Yes, I wanted to shake her (but I didn't lol). What if she was too frustrated and sad this time around? Then she wouldn't have gotten into our DI and would: a. Apply for a DI a fourth time or b. Give up on her dream of being an RD all together. So please apply to second round matching. That is one of the best things that you can do for yourself.
How do I become a better DI applicant?
We have different membership packages that will help you strategize to become a competitive DI applicant. We have members-only articles that provide tips on how to improve your odds of getting into a DI, what to do if you are not matched, tips for the letters of recommendation, tips for the personal statement, tips for the DI interviews, and more! Our other member package not only provides access to these articles, but we also revise the personal statement and resume as well (however, if this is during the matching process, then it is too late to purchase the membership package that involves revising the personal statement and resume. But you may shoot us an email if you want to work something out). Click HERE to read more about our membership.
"The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power."
You CAN and WILL be an RD. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.
