So You Didn’t Match…

Hey there,

If you clicked on this, it’s probably because you didn’t match with a dietetic internship.

I feel your pain.

I didn’t match the first time I applied. I did everything my professors suggested and I still didn’t match. Reading that screen felt like a bad dream. I probably checked it a dozen times to see if it was a mistake. I remember calling my mom, trying to hold it together, even though I was falling apart on the inside. It felt like everything I had worked toward for the past four years was crumbling beneath me.

I felt like a failure.

I checked facebook and saw all my classmates posting about matching with their dream internship. This only served to feed that lie taking root within me that said I wasn’t good enough. This one of the best times to avoid social media. Looking back I wish I would have avoided social media that entire week, it broke my heart a little more each time. So give yourself the space to hurt and grieve. Take care of yourself in this time. Drink lots of water. Have a warm mug of tea, wear comfortable clothes. Let your mind and heart rest for a little bit. Get some sleep. Pray, read your bible. Trust that this isn’t the end.

I cried. A lot.

That Sunday night a sweet friend texted me telling me that she didn’t match either and I should come over and cry about it together. That helped more than I realized at the time. Having true friends around me to support me when I felt like I wasn’t enough. We both laughed and cried. We talked about what our options were going forward. She was strongly considering a distance. I was going to look into second round.

So maybe you’re at this place. Your eyes glazed over as you read those fateful words “We regret to inform you…”

What are you going to do?

Thankfully, you have options.

Option Number 1 – Second Round Matching

I looked into the options available for second round. Many were so far from where I lived or financially irresponsible so I passed on them (the first time I applied). But really look at the options. Sit down (with a friend) and write down all the programs you’re interested in that have open spots. Check out their website and see if their program is a fit for you/you’re a good fit for them.

I sat down with a dear friend at one of my favorite coffee shops in Highland Village, Texas. She wrote down all the programs I was interested in and their phone numbers. We looked each one up. How far I would have to move. How long the program was, and whether it would require me to start an additional degree. Having the second set of eyes was crucial. You’re trying to move quickly, so the neutral set of eyes that just wanted the best for me made all the difference.

This is also a crucial time to be in contact with your program director. They potentially have leads about spot openings before the list goes live on Thursday. They may have the opportunity to get you in contact with directors to secure a spot.

It’s also a good idea to look into ISPP’s (individualized supervised practice pathways). These are only open to those who have applied but did not match with a program. There are several across the country, and they will start emailing you after match day. Look into see if they will provide you the experience you’re looking for. All roads lead to Rome on the path to becoming a dietitian.

Option Number 2 – Get a Master’s Degree (or another degree in general)

This is the route I took after I didn’t match in undergrad. I found a program in a location that I would enjoy, and applied. I completed a Master’s of Science in Nutrition. It’s not necessary to get another degree in nutrition if that’s what your bachelor’s degree is in. Looking back I would have liked more courses in psychology/counseling.

This additional education is going to set you apart. It’s going to make you unique. The field is desperate for diversity. Diversity of all kinds, thought, education, experience, ethnicity. Use your education to your advantage. I took an entire class on multi-cultural communication in healthcare. One of the most important courses of my graduate degree. The other class I hold the most dear: a course on nutrition education. A full semester of learning theories and how to structure nutrition education regardless of the desired population. This is stuff they don’t teach in undergrad. I also took class on functional foods, so if you think you’re going to get me to stop drinking coffee or eating chocolate, you’re sorely mistaken 🙂

Use this time to incorporate the third option:

Option Number 3 – Get more Experience

So this could look a number of ways. Personally, I worked full-time in the kitchen of psych hospital. (I had to afford my living expenses…) This qualified as dual experience: behavioral health is a special population, and I got to work closely with the staff dietitians. During this time, I asked questions and did some weekend shadowing with the relief RD. I also had to opportunity to observe her community work with special needs populations.

Use this time to explore the various aspects of nutrition. I wasn’t set on what I wanted to do when I got into the field, but during the two years I spent looking at the various avenues seeing where I felt led.

I became very passionate about mental health and its relationship with nutrition during this time. Which is why I’ve chosen to work in behavioral health. Seeing the transformation each person makes keeps me going.

 

Bonus option – Find your story

So I’m talking about personal statements here. I don’t even remember what I wrote on my original personal state. All I remember was how generic it was. It didn’t tell programs about me. It’s called a personal statement for a reason. So I challenge you to write your story. Hand write it, type it, do whatever you need to do. But write your story. Find the theme that weaves through it. The passion that keeps you going. For me, it’s the desire to let every person I come across feel heard, loved, and encouraged. When I wrote my personal statement that got me into a program, I knew how I wanted to impact the field.

When you’re writing about where you see yourself long-term in your career, write about your wildest dreams. The impact that you want to leave on the field, the world. How you, as one person, can have an impact.

So, cry if you need to. Call your friends and cry some more. Then pick yourself back up. Get your plan, and chase your dreams. Don’t let that passion die within you. There’s someone on the other side of your passion, that needs your story.

Today’s the best day to change your life!