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Pre-Select Admissions Option

Pre-Select Admissions For the Dietetic Internship

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has a maximum of five preselect opportunities for the MS/DI Spring match. Those that qualify for the preselect option are SIU students in their last year of their DPD coursework and students from other universities that would qualify for financial aid (including graduate and teaching assistantships).  Interested and qualified applicants must submit their application by January 15th for preadmission into the MS/DI class for the following year.

The applicant must submit the following components to be evaluated for the preselect option:

  1. Evidence of a minimum GPA of 3.0 (overall).
  2. Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a "Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree.”
    1. Official undergraduate transcripts must be included
  3. A personal statement that answers the following questions:
    1. Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
    2. What is your greatest strength and your biggest area of improvement?
    3. In your opinion, what is the role of the dietitian in the healthcare team?
    4. What is the future of the dietetics profession?
    5. Where do you see your career in 10 years and how can our program help you meet your goal(s)?
      Note: personal statement has a 1,000 word limit)
  4. Three recommendation letters with one being the DPD Director, another from a work or volunteer reference, and the final one being from another academic reference.
    1. Please submit each reference letter in a sealed envelope with the signature of the person submitting the reference on the envelope closure.
  5. Resume which includes dietetics and non-dietetics work or volunteer experience/activities.
  6. Applications are to be emailed to the following address: Brenda Green (bgreen@siu.edu) and DI Selection Committee, SIU Carbondale, 875 S Normal Ave, MC 4310, Carbondale, IL 62901

Preselect Selection Process

Students are accepted into the Southern Illinois University Carbondale MS/DI for the year immediately following completion of their undergraduate requirements.

  1. Applications will be reviewed by the DI Selection Committee upon receipt of the beginning of the spring semester.
  2. Qualified applicants will have an on-campus or virtual interview.
  3. Selection criteria will include academic performance, personal statement, faculty recommendations, participation in professional or community organizations, extracurricular activities, honors and awards, interview and the selection committee’s assessment of the individual’s ability to successfully complete the SIU Carbondale’s MS/DI.
  4. Applicants will receive notification via email from the Dietetic Internship Director of acceptance or rejection into the Preselect Dietetic Internship Admission Option by February 1st of each academic year.
  5. Once students accept an intern position in SIU Carbondale’s MS/DI, their name is submitted to D&D Digital and that student is ineligible to participate in computer matching.
  6. Admittance in SIU Carbondale’s MS/DI is contingent on the student maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 by the end of their degree.

Preselect Applicant Notification Process

  1. Applicants will receive notification via email from the Dietetic Internship Director of acceptance or rejection into the Preselect Dietetic Internship Admission Option by February 1st of each academic year.
  2. Written confirmation via email to the Dietetic Internship Director of acceptance or rejection of the MS/DI position is required by February 5th of the academic year.
  3. Students admitted into the MS/DI program will complete the Graduate School Application for Admission. In order to be enrolled in the graduate school, students will submit the online application along with a $65 application fee.
  4. Admittance in SIU Carbondale’s MS/DI is contingent on the student maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 by the end of their degree.