| If you are looking to apply to a dietetic internship in | | | | specific questions. Refer to the internship packets for |
| the near future, you will need to submit a | | | | information regarding what questions the dietetic |
| professional letter with your application. Students are | | | | internship committee wants answered. Relate these |
| often unable to translate their experiences into a | | | | questions to your goals, experiences, strengths and |
| letter that will offer insight about who they are and | | | | potential as a candidate. Include specific examples as |
| why they would make a great candidate. These 8 | | | | to why these experiences will benefit the internship. |
| key points will help you write a better letter and will | | | | 5. You may want to include the reasons the |
| get you noticed by the dietetic internship committee. | | | | internship program is appealing to you. Is there a |
| 1. Follow directions to the letter. Many students get | | | | dietitian that graduated from that internship program |
| ahead of themselves and don't follow directions. | | | | or an article about that particular facility that |
| Failing to answer the pertinent questions that the | | | | generated your interest? |
| internship committee wants to know will diminish your | | | | 6. Write each letter as if it's the only internship that |
| chances of being recognized as a good candidate. | | | | you want instead of being very general. Give |
| Make sure that you always read the directions and | | | | examples of how that particular program will help you |
| questions carefully. | | | | reach your short and long term goals. |
| 2. Map out what you want to say before hand with | | | | 7. Make sure that you revise your thoughts into a |
| a brief outline. This can help you establish a timeline | | | | letter that is concise and not too wordy. Most |
| and will generate ideas for your letter. It can also help | | | | professional letters should be 2 pages maximum. |
| you write with more focus. Start with the most | | | | 8. After you wrap up your letter, thank them for |
| important experiences first. Once your have an | | | | their consideration. |
| outline it will be much easier to create a new letter | | | | According to the information on the All Access |
| document without staring at a blank page wondering | | | | Internships website, many dietetic students felt that |
| where to begin. | | | | they received an internship because the professional |
| 3. Once you know what experiences you would like | | | | letter helped them stand out and get noticed. Don't |
| to include, start with a short introduction that states | | | | reduce your chances of receiving an internship |
| your interests in a particular program and the reasons | | | | because you failed to take the time to write a high |
| why that program appeals to you. | | | | quality letter. It may be one of the most important |
| 4. In the body of the letter you will need to answer | | | | items that you will include in your application packet. |