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First, I'm glad you're applying to become an RD! I hope you get in and go far! :)

1. What was your timeline for when you began actually taking time to put everything on DICAS? It's September now and the semester will fly by so how early did you start actually spending quality time on it? I am wondering if it's better to just focus on the semester at hand and leave all DICAS stuff for winter break or if I should start now.
   
   When I applied, I tried to get everything done as early as possible. If DICAS has already opened, then have a goal of getting it all done and turned in 2-4 weeks ahead of time. Certainly don't wait until the last minute to put it all together. I suggest finding a date you want to turn it in by and start scheduling items from your "To-do list" so that you can pace yourself and not have to do everything at once (during the semester is fine as long as it doesn't interfere with other important things like exams). Things like who you want to get rec letters from would come first because professors have many obligations and letters likely won't be written within a couple of days time.
   
   
   
2. When did you take the GRE? Did you take it more than once?
   
   Luckily, I didn't have to take the GRE, so I won't be much help here. But, I would think that if you need the GRE for DICAS, it would probably be a good idea to take it during winter break since you haven't already. Definitely not something to wait on and you're going to have to study for it. Again, if you need it for DICAS, start scheduling study times now because you're not going to have an opportunity to take it twice.
   
   
   
3. I had to retake a couple of classes due to poor grades my freshman year of college. I did just fine after retaking both classes and ended up with an A and B which is a huge improvement from 2 D's. I was wondering how to approach this if I should bring it up in my personal statement a reason for the poor grades or if I should just leave it alone and not mention it. My most recent semester spring 2016 my GPA for the semester was 3.8 with 19 credit hours (I added a psychology minor late). Obviously I am doing worlds better academically but I am wondering if internship directors will look at the 2 D's and judge me based on grades I got 3 years ago. Freshman year I was just checked out from school and from life. 'Checking out' doesn't make for a good explanation in the personal statement.
   
   The best resource I've ever purchased was a book on how to write admissions essays (or else you're going to sound just like everyone else). This book my favorite.
   Also, I wouldn't address the grades specifically. For example, I didn't do well the first year of undergrad, but did exponentially (so to speak) better by my senior year, so I talked about my growth in education and learning and how my grades showed a positive trend that only went up over time, and were only going to continue being great.
   
   I hope you find this information useful and let me know if you have other questions!

As others are saying, don't worry about age. I turn 27 in September and just graduated in April with my BS in Food Science and Human Nutrition from UF. I start my Dietetic Internship in August. Am also a male.

As you are 26 and from your story, you are most likely an independent. File your FAFSA and send it to the schools you are planning on attending. You will be surprised how much they are willing to give you. Your school may also give you funding for being a student with financial need, which is money on top of your loan that you don't have to pay back (which is always nice!).

When it comes to getting a jump start on your education, your best course of action is to look up what text books FIU (or any other school) uses for it's Intro to nutrition class, Nutrition and Disease, Medical Nutrition therapy, etc. This is the text I found this textbook to be incredible. The reason why I suggest a textbook is because any other book or website is very risky when it comes to reliable information. It should also be noted that you don't need to buy anything; going to class and spending a good amount of time at home studying the material is the best thing you can do for your education and career.

... Coming from someone who has been where you are at, for the love of all that is right, concentrate on your grades. What will get you into a great internship is the difference between a 3.5 and a 3.6. Also try hard to get as good as a GRE score as possible (if you think you may be looking into a combined Masters/Dietetic Internship). Don't forget about volunteering and gaining real world experience. You will need to start volunteering with people that can give you real experience in dietetics. Many times I have been asked, well does this (insert minimum wage job) count toward my volunteering hours? Sometimes I flat out say no, other times I ask them if they were standing in front of a program director who was making the decision to let you in to their internship or not, would you be able to spin your hostessing job as nutritionally relevant? Does it qualify as Food service, Community nutrition, research, clinical or leadership? If it isn't nutritionally relevant, your going to have a hard time spinning it on your resume. On the same note, by the time you are about to apply for an internship, which is usually your last semester at Uni, its good to have at least 600 hours of volunteering experience accumulated; at that level and above, you are quite competitive.

Let us know if you have anymore questions.

Honestly, as long as you're not being stupid (i.e. not eating bread and cheese and nothing else), you're probably going to be fine to go vegetarian or vegan without professional support. Most people do, and millions of people in e.g. India are life-long vegetarians with no ill effects. Getting blood tests done after a year or so would be a great way to check you're doing okay.

I have this book and it's very good: https://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Life-Everything-Healthy-Plant-Based/dp/0738214930 - it has a sample eating plan and tranisition guides. It's written by two vegan dietitians who clearly know their stuff.

Otherwise, something like the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating's recommendations of the number of serves of different foods to aim for is a good way to check your diet is balanced: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/node/add/calculator-servings

But as everyone is saying, if you are keen on seeing a professional for whatever reason, make sure it's a dietitian - anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their qualifications.

6PM often has discount Dansko and Sanita's. You have to keep an eye out for normal colors though.

I personally like Sanita better but follow your heart. Amazon sometimes has them for closer to $75-80. I have these( https://www.amazon.com/Sanita-Womens-Professional-PU-Clog/dp/B01MXJD24B/ref=cts_sh_1_vtp ) and like them.

I really struggled academically until I had a professor teach me to learn by active recall. Basically, you need to be able to explain your notes without looking at them. I would write down questions from my notes for thirty minutes, then spend fifteen trying to answer them, marking any that I didn't know. Then I would take a break. I would try and do several of these study blocks each day. You can't procrastinate with this method, but I went from a C/B student to a straight A student in one semester. Remember to focus on content you don't know.

Find an activity to get involved in. I was overly involved because I was a tour guide, worked in a research lab, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was a resident assistant, was in an honor society, nutrition club, volunteered as English as a second language conversation partner, and did meal planning/grocery shopping at my cooperative house. I kind of burned myself out and would recommend just joining one or two activities, but being really involved.

I highly recommend this book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-College-Surprising-Countrys/dp/0767917871

I really enjoyed this book on MI. It covers the nutrition aspect very well and it's definitely a good starter book to get the foundations of MI down. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1462524184/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MYGLAb905WVKT

Something that we were recommended was called the Pocket Guide to Nutrition Assessments. It was super helpful- still is!

Here’s the newest version New edition

OR the one I have you can buy on Amazon. here

In terms of a book, I think The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden (nutritionist) is pretty close to what you're looking for. Excellent reference, very readable and evidence based. I used this book for several papers and assignments during my nutrition studies.

I used DTR Exams secrets book by Mometrix: https://www.amazon.com/Dietetic-Technician-Registered-Secrets-Study/dp/1609716612/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523349320&sr=8-2&keywords=dtr+exam+study+guide It is pretty straight forward and affordable. It comes with 1 practice exam that has over 100 questions.

Depend how much you consider expensive, but I liked this guide https://www.amazon.com/Dietetic-Technician-Registered-Secrets-Study/dp/1609716612

Nancy Clark is considered one of the top sports dietitians I believe. I am not a sports dietitan, so someone who is may have a better suggestion.

https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Clarks-Sports-Nutrition-Guidebook-5th/dp/1450459935

Wound Care: A Collaborative Practice Manual for Health Professionals (Sussman, Wound Care) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1608317153/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RqA6AbNEC74N5

I second the counseling experience. I discovered this book halfway through my internship and found it incredibly helpful.

https://www.amazon.com/Motivational-Interviewing-Nutrition-Fitness-Applications/dp/1462524184

I would highly recommend this book in particular: https://smile.amazon.com/Motivational-Interviewing-Nutrition-Fitness-Applications/dp/1462524184/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1519783081&sr=8-4&keywords=motivational+interviewing

I recommend purchasing the CISSN text book. It's the "bible" for getting the non-dietetics sports nutrition certification which means it's all things sports nutrition for athletes who don't have a diagnosis that complicates their nutrition/training.

Turns out this is a hot commodity right now. Thank you for letting know what you use. Here is where to find it once they are in stock again:
http://www.foodmedinteractions.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Food-Medication-Interactions-17th-Edition/dp/0971089655

I just picked up:

The Hungry Brain: Outsmarting the Instincts That Make Us Overeat https://www.amazon.com/dp/125008119X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Blr0Cb8X9XAMW

For real, why do we over eat?

Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production https://www.amazon.com/dp/1603585362/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Zmr0CbKVN2MJX

I'm very interested in the regenerative ag movement, and am not entirely convinced red meat is the scourge of the earth.

Sorry, I got the two confused. The one I use is this book, but an older edition:
https://www.amazon.com/Nutrition-Diagnosis-Related-Care-Sylvia-Escott-Stump/dp/145119532X

Krause's is another good resource, but it includes a lot of background information on clinical pathophysiology, public health, and other stuff that is not necessarily helpful in your case.

For general assessment:

• AND Pocket Guide to Nutrition Assessment
  
  For MNT:
  
  
• Krause's Food & Nutrition Therapy
  
• Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease
  
• Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care
  
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  edit: Updated title names. Also dating myself with the linked editions. I can't vouch for the worthiness of anything newer.