Application and Selection

The next application deadline is January 15, 2024 for an August 2024 program start date. Students should apply to the “Nutrition and Dietetics Program" through the Virginia Tech Graduate System according to the following available terms:

• Track 1: Fall 2023 - traditional start as a graduate student.
• Track 2: Summer 2024 - All current HNFE - DPD juniors applying for track 2 (BS/MS) should apply for summer 2024, which represents the first term as a full-time graduate student in the program.

Application process:

Admission to the Graduate School is contingent upon:

• Completion of the Graduate School Application ($75 application fee).
• Two letters of reference: One letter must be from a work or volunteer supervisor, and one must be from an instructor or professor that is familiar with your academic performance. It is recommended that you select people that know you well enough to discuss your academic and work-related strengths. No more than two references can be submitted. Please note that references can still be uploaded after your application is submitted to the graduate school, but all letters of reference need to be uploaded by January 15 for full consideration.
• Resume: should be limited to two pages and list relevant experiences within the last five years as related to the field of dietetics where possible.
  
• Virginia Tech program-specific personal statement:
  Personal statement may not exceed 1200 words; recommended fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri size 11 or 12. The statement must address the following seven questions:

1. Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
2. Why are you specifically interested in Virginia Tech’s M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics degree program?
3. How have your prior work and/or volunteer experiences prepared you for a career in dietetics?
4. Describe any unique challenge(s) that required resiliency and fueled your professional and/or personal growth.
5. What are your short- and long-term career goals related to being a dietitian?
6. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement and how those would impact your ability to be successful in the program, including fulfillment of graduate-level expectations?
7. Why do you believe that constructive feedback is important in the preparation of future healthcare professionals?

The following additional forms need to be submitted as part of your application:

Track one applicants only:

•  All track 1 students should submit a Prerequisite Grade Sheet for applicable coursework even if working towards a DPD-verification statement. Submission of this grade sheet includes a plan to complete any additional necessary prerequisites prior to the program start date.
• Track 1 applicants coming from an ACEND-accredited DPD undergraduate program also need to submit a Declaration of Intent form (if still in program) or Verification Statement form (if graduated) from their DPD director to demonstrate status in, or completion of, the DPD.

Track two applicants only:

• Submission of a DARS report demonstrating coursework required to finish B.S. degree.
• Submission of a Proposed Plan of Study outlining required courses to be completed in senior year of B.S. degree (must be signed by student and academic advisor).

Official transcript(s) must be ordered by ALL applicants (including Virginia Tech students).

GRE scores are not required and not considered as part of the application process.
TOEFL scores are required for international students only.

For more information about applying to the university, please see the Graduate School’s application information page.