Culinary Institute of America Top Questions

I am an older student (33 years old), so many days I feel like I'm watching my younger self in many of my classmates. When I was finishing high school I lacked the drive that I do today, and I see that in many of my fellow students. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that the time is know to focus on your career. School is but the first step on your career path. I would tell myself to make the choices that put me on the path I want to continue down.

Talk to people. I was afraid at first but now realize that people are pretty much willing to talk with anyone about just about anything. Also, stay involved. I was very involved in high school extracarriculars and now not so much. Stay active too.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry about college. As long as I try hard and stay focused, everything will be okay. These days, there are many systems at schools that are set up to help the students make it through the program. They will help you with anything you need, you just have to ask for help and try hard.

The one major thing that I would tell myself is to search and apply for as many scholarships as possible. I am now in college and trying to find scholarships so I will not have to be in extreme debt when I complete college. If I were to apply for more financial aid, college would be a lot less stressful for me and for my family. Scholarships are relatively easy to find and if you're good as essays, they are pretty easy to fill out. I was not totally aware of how much the school would cost, and how much money I will have to pay back when I am done with school. Most of my financial aid are loans and I did not expect that when I was in high school. I had assumed I would be getting more money from the government, and that was not the case. So to the high school me: stop being lazy and apply for scholarships, the more money the better off you will be in the future!

Stay focused in school and work harder than play.

You made the right choose, you are going to love it here. There are a few things you should keep in mind this summer when you’re out having fun, you need money. This school is going to be a lot of work and if you hope to have some kind of social life you are going to need to save way more than you are right now. Be prepared for the hard work and time you will be putting in. Listen to everything Andrew tells you at the bake shop and try and stay as long as possible to pick up more information, and cash. That guy are you are going to meet at the end of the summer, he’s not worth your time! Drop him like a hat you do not have the time or money to be running back home every three day weekend.

Going to college is an important phase in growing up, as well as, the gateway to your future. Gone are the days when our parents would stand on top of us to do our homework and study, make certain we get to bed at a reasonable hour to enable us to get up on time for school, preparing our meals, possibly even cleaning our room. Attempting these traits on your own in high school can make for a much easier transition to college. Your high school transcript will dictate which colleges will accept your applications. Taking the right coursework in high school and maybe forfeiting that study hall to fill your schedule with more academic challenges can be more beneficial. Your SAT and/or ACT scores also play a very important role in college acceptances. If possible, take a course to help you study for the SAT and/or ACT. Taking these extremely important tests multiple times may also increase your chances for a better score. College does not translate to partying and freedom from the watchful eye of your parents. Certainly, you are given the freedom, but using your freedom wisely will translate to your success in life.

High school is nothing compared to college. Focus more and study especially in the basic classes. The program is set-up so each class plays off the beggining classes so make sure you master those first and the others will come easier.

If I could give my self any advice it would be that the first year is a hard transition and it is not all just a party in college but to keep your eye on the prize and remember that if you really love what you pursue and work hard at it you can be happy and go far.

Do not slack off, always stay on top of your school work. Allow yourself free time. Socialize with as many people as possible, this school is extremely diverse with people from all different cultures, connections are key for your future. Keep all notes about everything you learn, you will look back on them even if you think they are useless at the time.

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.