February 2025 Issue
Ready, Set, Dietetic: The Updated DICAS Application Process
By Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND
Today’s Dietitian
Vol. 27 No. 2 P. 12
Discover the Details for Applicants and Program Directors
The matching system, where future interns applied to several programs and both parties ranked their top choices, is a thing of the past. With the number of dietetic internship (DI) programs growing while the number of students declines, and with many applicants and programs expressing concern that the former process was confusing, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Task Force implemented an updated version of the dietary internship application process called Dietary Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS). The updated DICAS program will begin its pilot year in the 2024 to 2025 cycle. The process was updated to ensure an equitable process among all supervised practice programs. ACEND is the accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as RDs and DTRs (dietetic technician, registered). This article will explore how the application process is now structured and what applicants and program directors who wish to supervise practice programs need to know.
Programs Available
Understanding how programs are created will help applicants understand where they would like to apply. A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is an academic program designed to meet the knowledge requirements for dietetics practice. It’s taught at a college or university recognized by the US Department of Education and requires completion of a degree, and can be designed at the baccalaureate or advanced degree level. Courses for the DPD must be part of the university requirements for whichever degree will be granted. Completion of a DPD enables the individual to apply to a supervised practice program, leading to eligibility for the registration examination for dietitians.
The DI is a postbaccalaureate program that provides only the required competencies (supervised practice) and admits students who have already completed an ACEND-accredited DPD and at least a baccalaureate degree. On the other hand, a coordinated program (CP) includes both academic courses similar to a DPD and supervised practice in one degree-granting program. There is also a graduate program (GP), which is designed to meet the required competencies (through academic coursework and supervised practice) for one degree-granting program. DPD graduates must complete a DI, CP, or GP to sit for the RD exam.
The Updated Application Process
Any new change in process can make anyone question if the system overhaul is easier or better. Gena Seraita, MS, RD, CDN, program director for the New York University Dietetic Internship, believes this system will be more applicant-forward than the previous match system. “Now, in planning for it and experiencing it once, I strongly believe this will be a better system for applicants and program directors,” Seraita says, as it provides applicants time to make an informed, thoughtful decision, rather than forcing a quick decision within 24 hours of receiving an appointment, as the old system required. “I am hopeful the new system will lead to more candidates accepting appointments at the best program for them and thriving.”
For an applicant to use the system, they must start by creating an application profile in DICAS, which is a service of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy).1 DICAS is the centralized application service for dietetics that allows applicants to apply to multiple programs by completing a single online application.
Individual programs now set up application due dates and must notify applicants of their status by a standardized date, but can notify earlier. However, programs can’t require accepted applicants to decide on enrollment until a standardized date. Applicants can be waitlisted if a spot in the program isn’t filled. For example, for spring 2025, on March 1, the applicant is notified of their status; decisions aren’t required before March 15; and programs shouldn’t accept applications after July 15. Applicants should check with each individual institution on exact dates, as they can vary.
As part of the new process, ACEND allows institutions who have multiple types of programs to have an “Institutional Exception” from the standardized process. This specific program may then set separate deadlines for their programs outside of the standardized dates. This may allow for “early decision” options for applicants interested in continuing their education and training at the same institution.
For the application in DICAS, only one set of transcripts and references need to be submitted. DICAS charges a fee for submitting the application within the system. In addition, programs may have their own application fees.
Applicant Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules
All applicants to the RD and DTR programs are expected to follow the Academy’s Code of Ethics.2 In addition, ACEND developed the Applicant Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules.3 Applicants are bound to legal and ethical standards of behavior during the admission process. Following the applicant code of conduct and traffic rules is important as “Program directors tend to value behaviors in candidates that are an indication of how the applicant will be if accepted to the program, so starting off by applying in the most ethical way is important,” Seraita explains. In addition, Seraita says that the field of nutrition and dietetics is small, and making a good impression is important, even early on in a student’s career. Plus, it is also important to consider the impact that not following the code of conduct and traffic rules can have on peers.
Recommendation for Applicants
Seraita’s recommendations for applicants when using the updated DICAS system include the following:
• Be thoughtful when choosing programs to apply to. Make sure you research the program, what it requires for you to complete, and how it will help you achieve your career goals. Low engagement because you didn’t take the time to ensure the program offered what you were seeking can impact your success in the program, so taking the time to research before applying is key to making a very important decision.
• Ensure you visit the ACEND website to review the process and key deadlines for applying to programs and using DICAS. The DICAS system also has many excellent training resources that can be helpful.
• Ensure you’re tracking the deadlines for all programs you’re applying to. Though notification dates are somewhat standardized in the new process, due dates are unique and set by each program. Create a list for yourself to ensure you stay on top of these dates.
• Make sure you’re reviewing and double-checking to ensure you’re submitting your application to the right program. Some programs have similar names, and applicants have submitted to the wrong program in the past. An extra scan can help avoid this kind of error.
• ACEND has strict standards of information that must be available on a program’s website. As such, read the ACEND website thoroughly before reaching out with questions you can find the answers to on your own.
• If you’re a “career changer,” celebrate it on your application. Did you have to juggle a job and school? Did that impact your grades? Share about that on your application and in your personal statements. These types of items on your application can help program directors identify qualities of work ethic, flexibility, and grit in your application that are highly valued.
For further assistance with the centralized application, contact DICAS customer support at 617-612-2855.
Application Process for Program Directors
The process was updated to ensure an equitable process among all supervised practice programs and the guidelines for nutrition and dietetics supervised practice programs and their institutions agreed to conduct their annual admission process. Programs can use the software portal to access supervised practice programs such as CP, GP (also referred to as future education model), and DI. Program directors must learn about the updated DICAS and the application review software, WebAdMIT. The Academy provides webinars, training courses, and readings to help train program directors who must configure programs in DICAS and learn WebAdMIT.4
WebAdMit has a prelaunch portal, separate from the live version of WebAdMIT where program directors can create and edit programs before they’re pushed into the live versions of the application and available for applicants to apply to the program.5 Once the application is live, program directors can log in to WebAdMIT Production to work with current applications, set up review processes, and export data.
There’s no longer a standardized date for application submission due dates, and programs can now set the date that works best for their respective program. Program directors are asked to consider a standardized notification date to allow enough time to review applications and select candidates for the program. A two-week timeframe between the latest date to notify applicants and the earliest date when programs can require applicants to make a decision is recommended.
Program Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules
Nutrition and dietetics programs must adhere to the Code of Ethics for the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession and must follow core values during the admission process, including customer focus, integrity, innovation, social responsibility, and diversity. Nutrition and dietetics programs make pledges, including the following:
• Act with honesty and integrity throughout the admission process when interacting with nutrition and dietetics applicants, other program directors, faculty, staff, and DICAS staff.
• Abide by the admission rules for programs.
• ACEND encourages each of its member programs and institutions to conduct an application process that is inclusive and professional.
Recommendation for Program Directors
With experience using the DICAS system, Seraita recommends program directors consider the following:
• Take advantage of the ability to personalize their home page, which is a new feature. The home page now can have a description and more information.
• The new system can help personalize the application process and specific screening questions can be added to help choose the right applicants for the program.
• After setting up the school’s application, each program a school has an application form will have a specific URL (another new feature). This specific program application URL can be posted on the school’s website to allow applicants to easily access the program application they want.
• Check the ACEND website for possible updates about the application cycle and other important happenings in the Academy.
If you need assistance with DICAS WebAdMIT (program side), please contact DICAS customer support or call 857-304-2020.
— Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, is founder of Toby Amidor Nutrition (tobyamidornutrition.com) and a Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s written 11 cookbooks, including Health Shots: 50 Simple Tonics to Help Improve Immunity, Ease Anxiety, Boost Energy, and More. She’s also an award-winning media dietitian, spokesperson, and nutrition expert for FoodNetwork.com and a contributor to U.S. News and other national outlets.
References
1. DICAS login. DICAS website. https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
2. Code of ethics for the nutrition and dietetics profession. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. https://www.eatrightpro.org/practice/code-of-ethics/code-of-ethics-for-the-nutrition-and-dietetics-profession
3. Dietetics applicant and program code of conduct and traffic rules. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/files/eatrightpro/acend/program-directors/application-process-for-program-directors/dietetics-code-of-conduct-and-traffic-rules.pdf?rev=2c9c136d3d714fa0826bc80788af97de&hash=5EBD48D00FCC03FCD07A57DFDABD1FB4
4. DICAS training page. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/program-directors/application-process-for-program-directors/dicas-training-page
5. Prelaunch portal. WebAdMIT website. https://prelaunch.webadmit.org/session/new