Admissions & Aid High School Juniors

Info For:

High School Juniors

Welcome to your new college!

Love Food? Make it Your Life! Food is Your Future.

You love everything about food—growing it, cooking it, sharing it, blogging about it—or you wouldn’t be here, reading this. If you see yourself shining in a food or hospitality-focused career, then CIA might be your perfect college fit. At CIA, you’ll learn practical hands-on skills, explore big ideas and be mentored by some of the best minds in food, hospitality and academics from all over the world.

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College Life with a Culinary Twist

Variety is the spice of life when it comes to campus activities. Whatever your passion, you’re sure to find countless opportunities involving food, friends, and fun. Get involved in student-led clubs, join a sports team, or mix things up at our many special events, like the annual chili cookoff and the Run for Your Knives 5K.

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Explore Cool Careers

The world of food and hospitality has never been more exciting, and CIA is where you’ll explore it all! You’ll definitely discover new career interests because food is everywhere—in every facet of business, culture, and society. And with the foundation of skills, knowledge, and professionalism you’ll get here, you’ll be prepared for anything you choose to do. Check out what CIA graduates are doing now.

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Get Hands-On

If you’re like the typical CIA student (and we suspect you are), you enjoy learning by doing, by trying new things and seeing how they work in the real world. That’s exactly what a CIA education is like. Here you’ll get hands-on in our kitchens, bakeshops, restaurants, paid internships, and travel experiences; harvest ingredients from our gardens; and study traditional academic subjects through the lens of food. It’s an experience you’ll only find at CIA!

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Get an Up-close Look at CIA

Check out an informative walking tour or join us for a convenient online event. Our campus visits and virtual events are a great way to learn about the total CIA experience firsthand—from academic programs and residence halls to meal plans and student life.

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CIA students talking to someone visiting the CIA Greystone campus in the Napa Valley of California.

Just Want to Know More?

If this sounds like the college and the life you want, then find out more about CIA and careers in food and hospitality.

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Benefits and Opportunities

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Real-World Experience

Spend a full semester getting hands-on experience in our nine award-winning public service restaurants.

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Group of CIA culinary college students listening to their chef instructor in kitchen classroom.

More Specialized, Hands-on Classes

Two Times the foundational skills and deeper dives into specializations than most colleges.

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A CIA student waiting a table at the CIA student-run Bocuse restaurant on campus.

Built-in, Paid Internship

World-class paid internships at one of 2,000+ CIA-approved organizations.

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Scholarships

CIA offers generous scholarships—and awarded over $45 million last year alone.

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College Life with a Culinary Twist

Join a diverse, close-knit community where everyone speaks your language—food!

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Custom-Fit Education

Choose from programs, electives, and travel experiences that fit your unique interests and goals.

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A food business rep in a suit shakes hands and talks with two CIA students at the CIA Career Fair.

Industry’s Best Career Fair

Nearly 475 food and hospitality companies visited CIA looking to hire in 2023—resulting in over 4,000 reported interviews with highly interested employers.

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CIA student taking a selfie with CIA alumni celebrity chef Amanda Frietag in the cafeteria.

Unrivaled Network

The food world’s most powerful alumni network—50K+ strong—that not only hire CIA grads, but also help make the connections to advance careers.

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Don’t Take Our Word for It:

Here’s What CIA Students Have to Say

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Chat with a High School Student

Are you curious about what it’s really like to attend CIA? We’ve got you covered. Our students are ready to answer the questions you haven’t asked anyone else, share their own personal experiences, and give you genuine advice—because they’ve gone through it, too.

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Group of 6 smiling CIA student ambassadors on a bench outdoors - available to chat with online.
An aerial view of a large campus with multiple buildings surrounded by autumn-colored trees. A wide river runs alongside the campus, and distant mountains are visible in the background under a clear sky.

CIA Campuses

Be part of a vibrant campus and close-knit community, where everyone speaks your language—food.

Discover all that CIA has to offer beyond the classroom with our full array of athletics, activities, student services, and delicious dining options. From open mic nights and interactive student groups to off-campus adventures and friendly campus cook-offs, we have countless ways to get involved and meet new people. Did we mention every dorm has a full-sized kitchen?

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Here’s what happening at CIA…

The Culinary Institute of America

1946 Campus Drive
Hyde Park, NY 12538

1-800-CULINARY

[email protected]

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