Limited resources and increased demands for competent, multi-skilled health care personnel require Dietetic Technician programs to target those students most likely to successfully complete the program and pass the DTR exam. Previous academic, work and life experiences will impact a student's ability to succeed in the DT program. Seventy DT program directors were contacted either in-person or by mail. Participants returned a self-addressed stamped postcard requesting the necessary number of surveys to administer to an upper-level DT course of their choosing. A total of 281 surveys from 25 participating programs were collected. A majority (65%) of the students were 25 years or older. While 40% considered themselves to be the head of household. 70% were currently working an average of 28 hours/week. Only 25% had completed education beyond a high school diploma or GED. Estimated time to complete the DT program was 7.8 semesters. Interest in nutrition was the most often cited reason for an interest in dietetics. Forty one percent of the students learned about the DT program through the college catalog, admissions office or Internet site. Results of this survey can be used by program directors to direct recruitment efforts and tailor programs to meet the needs of a largely non-traditional, working population of students.