Culinary Institute of America Top Questions

What should every freshman at Culinary Institute of America know before they start?

Nilla

Take a year off from education but during that time do some research on differant careers that you find interesting. Once you've settled on what you would like to do, start looking for schools that teach your career of choice. Tour the campuses, talk to advisors and if possibe other students all ready enrolled in the classes you will be taking. Find out about financial aid and what you need to do to get things going on the money part of your plan. Once all that is done STICK to it until you get that certificate or diploma in your hand. And have fun! Try to keep on doing any other activities you enjoy otherwise you'll burn out.

Kristin

In order to succeed in your adult life, a college degree is mandatory. Not only will acquiring a degree open up many avenues in your professional career, but it will offer a wealth of pride and personal satisfaction. College life can be a struggle. Between managing your course load, balancing a social life with study time and coming to terms with your new-found independence, staying focused can be a challenge. Becoming distracted can easily interfer with your progress. However, you've shown, thus far, that determination in obtaining a goal has helped you to accomplish twelve years of schooling satisfactorily. Staying centered is the key. Concentrating on the objective of earning your degree will help to alleviate any distractions and will keep you on track. Enjoying this time of your life is important in appreciating college life, but be sure to remind yourself that you are preparing yourself for your future. Allow yourself enough study time, interact with your peers while hitting the books and take care of your physical well-being by eating nutritiously. Then reward yourself by spending time with the friends you've recently met. This type of balancing will ensure success. Good luck!

Matthew

I would have told myself to work hard and study. In the end of it all it will be the best decision that I have ever made. I would explain how important experiencing college life would be living in the dorm rooms. The transition into college life versus high school was not very difficult however, depending on the person you could get home sick for a month or two. College life is very fun and exciting. I have enjoyed every minute of it and will continue to achieve for my bachelors degree from the Culinary Institute of America!

Shawn

Get a goal and stay focused on it! Go to class and participate in as much as possible. Make sure you fell comportable with yourself and have some idea of your core values. Remember that high school is just a small step along the way and the steps get bigger and bigger as you go. But as you learn the steps are easy and you will have a great enriched life.

Kevin

I would try to motivate myself to get more involved and constantly push myself for success. Being more organized and prepared, setting goals that challenge myself to be better everyday. Not to give up and finish strong, because everything will pay off in the end.

karen

I would tell myself to have as much fun as possible in high school. The CIA is an intense school, and background knowledge doesn't help you. If you're looking to do well in CIA, you need to put you're all into it, and forget everything else you thought you knew. If you're thinking you're going to party and drink on weeknights, forget about it. I would remind myself of how much this career means to me, and that if you want to make it through, be prepared to spend your nights studying and remember your mornings begin at 4 AM. I would tell myself to never lose your passion for food and cooking because passion is the only thing that will get you through.

jennifer

the advice i would give myself would be to cut high school more. i never have a day off at this school i go to class five days a week. it was so easy to take a day off in high school but if i cut here i get a B in class. i would go back and tell myself make more friends and do not be so self centered at first. i would tell myself to get off my high horse and talk to people. i wish i would have fixed mybroken heart before i came too. this past year at school my heart has been broken and i think it has really held me back with friends and boys. i feel like i am not worth anything. the last guy really tore me into nothing. he made me feel worthless and it has carried over to school. i have no close friends here and i cant wait to go home. next year will be alot better because i will try more.

Cody

Continue you on the path of going into a baking and pastry program and never doubt what you are doing because you will go far. Always look at the postive and never at the negative.

Darby

In life, it's always important to do your best and always strive to do better. I always strive for perfection. At The Culinary Institute of America, it's important to not let criticism get to you. Listen and let it help you, but don't take it personally. Loosen up and make sure not to let chefs get under your skin. There are times when it can get stressful, but just work on being relaxed and calm. Getting stressed out helps no one. Be open and ask plenty of questions. It's better to ask and know what to do than to do something incorrectly. Being shy and afraid won't get anyone anywhere. You will be fine, just do the best that you can.

Kathryn

If i was to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise myself to have more options when choosing a Culinary school. Although I would pick The Culinary Institiute of America every time, having more options and offers may have helped me out more finacially. Also, I would have prepared myself for what living away from home is like and to visit and call home more often. I would advise myself to find more things to do off campus so that weekends would not be as boring during the school year.