Application Information
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
Cedars-Sinai dietetic interns are expected to be independent self-starters who are flexible, passionate about their chosen profession and willing to excel above the minimum performance standards. The internship program expects to cultivate confident leaders who are excellent communicators and respectful of the needs and desires of others.
Qualifications
To be considered, the applicant must have completed a master’s degree or higher and submit the required materials:
- A signed verification statement from a U.S.-accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD) that meets ACEND standards (required before the first day of the program).
- A Foreign Dietetic Education (FDE) signed verification statement that meets ACEND standards, (required before the first day of the program), if applicable.
- A completed DPD Course List Form indicating that the student met the ACEND minimum academic requirements.
- An official transcript of all academic coursework completed leading to the degree, including the grade received for each course, from the university/college granting the degree.
- Due to the high-acuity patient population and nutrition-related complexity of the internship, plus evolving evidence-based information, if coursework is older than three years, applicants must retake upper-division physiology and medical nutrition therapy and demonstrate a passing grade of “C” or higher prior to entrance into the program. An official transcript that includes the grade achieved for these courses must be submitted.
CSMC DIP does not award credit toward program requirements for previous work or other learning experiences.
Academic and Work Experience Requirements
- Academics: Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, with minimum passing grade of “C” or better in physiology, medical nutrition therapy and/or advanced human nutrition classes.
- Work Experience: Work experience related to nutrition, food service or research is a benefit. We value employment that demonstrates responsibility, dependability, time management, cooperation and leadership.
- Extracurricular Activities: We will consider involvement in activities that demonstrate an ability to problem-solve and collaborate with others.
Along with required materials listed, applicants may submit a description of their academic achievements, work experience and other applicable activities and/or experiences in the form of a personal resume.
Program Costs
The intern should have a personal financial plan and understand the full cost of the program to ensure success. The intern must plan for expenses over and above personal cost-of-living expenses such as housing, food, private vehicle costs, insurance(s) and other expenses that are the responsibility of the intern. Examples of program expenses include student dietetic membership dues, conferences and other professional meetings, office materials and other materials used in completing projects, study books and study programs, and similar items. The intern is responsible for these costs.
Estimated Program Costs
- Tuition: $12,000
- Parking Permit: $20 one-time fee
- Professional Liability Insurance: $30 (approx./varies) per year
- AND Student Member Annual Fee: $58 per year
- Health Insurance: $200/month (approx./varies)
- Centralized Clinical Record Keeping System: $100
- Living Expenses: Approx. $2500/month
Financial Aid
The Cedars-Sinai Dietetic Internship Program is a certificate program; and therefore, interns enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive federal financial aid. Interns who are able to secure deferment of student loans may request the internship director to provide documentation of your status as dietetic intern.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and many state-affiliated dietetic associations have excellent scholarship programs available. Contact your academic adviser, the Academy Foundation and/or your state dietetic association for more information. The California Dietetic Association Foundation has scholarships available for students who attend a California college and/or university.
Interns in the CSMC DIP are not paid an educational stipend.
How to Apply
The program uses the online centralized internship application system: Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service or DICAS; available at: portal.dicas.org
You may email DICAS at: DICASinfo@DICAS.org for questions or information.
When completing the application form, applicants must include the reference’s name and contact email address. The email address triggers an email message to request completion of a reference form. The form is completed online.
- Provide only three letters of recommendation.
- References should include one faculty member and one employer.
- Recommendations should be current, preferably submitted to DICAS within six months of applying.
Applicants who apply to the internship using DICAS will be asked to complete a personal statement. Questions to be answered in the personal statement for the CSMC DIP include:
- Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
- Why did you choose this internship?
- Why do you believe this program is a good match for your particular background, outlook, professional interests and passions?
- What experiences have helped to prepare you for this program?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your strengths and areas needing improvement?
Please limit your personal statement to 1,000 words.
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent directly to DICAS.
The selection committee for CSMC DIP uses a rubric to score applications. The following items are scored:
- Academics
- Work Experience
- Extracurricular Activities
- References
- Personal Statement
Top-ranked applicants will be asked to participate in a virtual panel interview in early March. The interview also uses a rubric to score applicants and will take place prior to Applicant Notification Day in April. Scores from both applications and interviews are used to rank candidates.
Applicants must notify the dietetic internship coordinator, Lisa Sterling, MS, RD, via e-mail at lisa.sterling@cshs.org if they accept or reject the computer match no later than 6 p.m. (PT) on appointment day in April. After this time, there is no obligation to hold the opening for the applicant.
Any questions regarding the application process should also be directed to the dietetic internship coordinator, Lisa Sterling, MS, RD at lisa.sterling@cshs.org.
All of the application materials and information obtained during the application process will be held securely in the Department of Food and Nutrition Services for one year. After one year materials will be securely disposed of by a company used by Cedars-Sinai.
Cedars-Sinai is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The Department of Food and Nutrition Services is dedicated to increasing diversity in the nutrition and dietetics profession.
Have Questions or Need Help?
Call the Nutrition Counseling Services team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.
Nutrition Counseling Services
Steven Spielberg Building
8700 Beverly Blvd., Suite 290
Los Angeles, CA 90048