Application Information

Cal Poly Pomona uses the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS), the online centralized internship application system.

There is a fee to use the DICAS platform. Applicants are charged $50 for the first designation and $25 for each additional program designation. The DICAS application for our program will be available beginning no later than December for the Spring match. The online application must be completed for our program by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Feb. 1. You can pay your fee online here.

***Please Note:  If your DICAS ID is less than 11 digits, please add 0 at the beginning of your number to make it 11 digits for our system***

When completing the application form, you must include the name and contact information for each reference, specifically an email address. This will trigger an email message asking your references to complete an online reference form.

Cal Poly Pomona requires three letters of recommendation: at least one must be from a registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist; another must be from a professor. Your recommendations should be current, preferably submitted to DICAS within six months of application.

We also require a personal statement as part of your DICAS application. Your personal statement must address these questions:

• Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
• Why did you choose this internship?
• What experiences have helped to prepare you for this program?
• What are your short-term and long-term goals?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses, or areas needing improvement?

Please limit your personal statement to 1,000 words.

You must also have official transcripts from any colleges and universities you attended sent directly to DICAS. If you have completed your degree more than five years previously, include the Recency of Education Form (PDF). Please submit the form to Rachel S. Flores, MS, RD at rssutton@cpp.edu by Feb. 1.

Interviews

An interview is a mandatory part of the selection process. We appreciate the opportunity to get to know the applicants to the program.  We will contact selected applicants in early February to schedule an interview. Be sure to include in your DICAS application an email address and a phone number where you can be reached during that time.

A committee consisting of Cal Poly Pomona faculty, preceptors from participating hospitals, alumni, and interns will conduct the interviews over two days only at the end of February. Please be flexible with regard to the interview. Interviews may be in person or via Zoom, at the dietetic internship program director’s discretion.

We consider all applicants fairly; however, some preference (10 out of 100 points) is given to those students who have completed a minimum of 30 units at Cal Poly Pomona in the initial application review.  

Internship Acceptance

We accept up to 15 full-time interns annually. You will receive a notification by March 1 if we have accepted you into the program or if you are on a waitlist for the program. If accepted, you will have until March 15 to confirm your acceptance to the program.

Interns who are matched to the program must apply to the university and will receive further information on university application procedures after acceptance. Interns are admitted into a post-baccalaureate certificate program.  This category will still allow interns to apply for financial aid.

Open House

We generally hold a virtual open house via Zoom in January that prospective students can attend for more information and ask questions about the program.