Culinary Institute of America Top Questions

Just go for it, because CIA is the best school if you are interested into cooking and food.

When I was a senior in high school, I still did not know what I wanted to do for a living. If I could go back and tell myself where I would be now, I would definitely take steps toward this path sooner. Working in this industry and experience is worth more than anything that you could learn in a book. If I had known that I was going to be in the food industry, I would have gotten a job in a kitchen sooner than I did. I cherish every job that I have had since I made my decision and every person that I have worked with, but it could never hurt to have just a little more experience. I have a younger brother that is looking at colleges right now and I tell him all the time that this is when he needs to focus on what he really loves to do and find a career and a school that will help him accomplish his goals.

Be open. Dont let anything get in your way. Dont let anyone get in your way. Make sure to stay true to yourself and your goals. There is no pressure on you. You can and will go beyond peoples expectations, and will sucseed where others will fail. Enjoy yourself and work hard.

I would tell my seventeen year old self not to listen to anyone saying that going to community college is easier than high school. With any schooling after graduating the responsibilty of going to class, homework, and studying is all on the student. I went in to my first semester of college thinking it was going to be a piece of cake. Today, I know that it can be but only if one keeps up with the reading, does the assigned homework as soon as possible, gets a head start on projects and studies for tests. However I did none of this my first semester and did horribly. After taking the spring off I came back last fall, took five classes and made all A's. I never would have thought that I would be able to acheive that. However, anyone can, as long as they manage their time well and put in the effort. In high school, it's easy to pass considering one is required to go and the extra credit often given that can bump up a whole letter grade. I believe that many students are unprepared for the responsibilty college brings. I know I was.

I would tell myself to spend more time studying on a daily basis and less time trying to cram the night before the test. Also to look for help with writing and to become better at writing. Its easy to start slacking and putting work off but its easier to stay on top of it and do it in stages instead of worrying about it all the day before its due.

I have enjoyed my college experience for the increadible drive and passion that it has given me. So many occasions have impacted my life since I began and my standards for myself have been raised through the tenacity of my instructors and the support of my peers. I cannot begin to explain how I have grown each month, with every class that I complete. I am astonished at how much I have changed, and excited for how much I may still continue to grow.

So far out of my college experience, I've gotten to learn everything I learned in high school but with more depth. Last semester, I took my core classes in which I learned more about Math and Writing. Everyone is different in college because of the fact that we're not kids anymore, I learned that I have to take care of my own things and I have my own responsabilities to myself and to school. Sometimes, school isn't to make friends, its to learn more of what you want to do and continue on into the real world. It has been valuable to attend and to keep on attending because knowledge is power and knowing more of what you need to know will get you much farther in life than just sitting on the couch watching TV all day. Knowledge is power so it's best to use it in the world and get ahead in life because of that.

I'm getting out what I'm putting in and thats 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. I just wish i could afford to stay without worrying about money all the time.

Throughout my college experience, though it has thus far been short, has taught me a lot about myself. Not only have I grown as a chef, I now know myself better as a student, daughter, friend, sister, coworker, and roommate. With the experiences I have had I have learned what it takes to motivate me as a student, such as the desire to be at the top of the class. I have also realized weaknesses I need to overcome, such as the fear of failure. I would not trade my time in college for anything. I certanly value this time in my life and I realize the memories I make now will follow me throughout the rest of my life.

I have been at the Culinary Institute of America since October 2009. I have already taken eleven classes and I have learned way more than I expected to about my industry. I have learned about all different types of food products and produce, gastronomy, food safety in the kitchen and restaurant, and learning the necessary mathematics and writing. I have also been educated in meat and seafood identification and fabrication. I have taken three culinary skill development classes in the kitchen classrooms. In the skills classes we learn coking formulas and ratios, soups, stocks, sauces, pastas, eggs, basic cooking methods and endless recipes. We also learn how to work the line, like in restaurant kitchens, in Skills 3 because we cook lunch and dinner for the student's meal swipes. I have learned so much about the food industry and my future career path. Each and every class I take here at the Culinary Institute excites me and makes me happy to have choosen such a great field to work in.