High School Students

It’s Never Too Early to Begin Your Career in the Food Industry

Turn your passion for food into an exciting career!

As the world’s premier culinary college, the CIA is the perfect destination for high school graduates ready to launch their careers. We offer bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs that put you on track for a successful career in high-demand areas. Each of our locations in New York, California, and Texas feature:

• State-of-the-art learning environments, kitchens, bakeshops, and world-class restaurants
• Engaging campus life activities that includes recreational events, athletics, and student clubs and organizations
• Clean, safe, and affordable on-campus housing
• 24-hour security and support services to ensure the health and well-being of all CIA students

In addition to learning in our classrooms and kitchens, you’ll also:

• Participate in off-campus externships to broaden your professional expertise and make industry contacts
• Apply for scholarships to help pay for your CIA education (92 percent of our students receive financial aid!)
• Engage in global networking opportunities through our 49,000+ alumni worldwide

I’m a high school junior. What should I do next?

It’s fantastic that you’re already considering what to study after high school—even better that it’s focused on a career in the food business!

Here are a few things to best prepare you for entry into the CIA:

• Apply to the two-day Journey for Juniors program—available exclusively to high school juniors—in which you'll explore our kitchens, classrooms, and bakeshops; meet with our faculty and current students; learn more about the careers in the food industry made possible through the CIA; and dine in our award-winning (and student-run) restaurants.
• You can also schedule another time to visit our campuses and meet with an admissions counselor.
• Check out our extensive financial aid programs and scholarship options.
• See if any of your high school AP or college-level courses will transfer into CIA college credit, saving you time and money.
• Create a free CIA account to get more information sent to you.

Can’t wait to get started? No problem. Read below to learn more about early application deadlines and filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is an essential step in determining how much financial aid you’ll receive.

I’m a high school senior. Now what?

• Be sure to apply online as early as possible in your senior year of high school to ensure a thorough and timely application review process. Our admissions team begins to issue admissions decisions in January, so don’t hesitate!
• After applying, file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as October 1 in your senior year (the CIA’s federal code is 007304). Learn more about applying for financial aid and how to avoid common FAFSA errors.
• Once you’ve finished that, check out our list of scholarships.
• You need to have your CIA enrollment confirmed no later than May 1. If you have questions about your enrollment status, please contact us at admissions@culinary.edu.

How do I know which degree to choose?

The degree you choose will determine which courses you’ll take as well as provide you with the skills and knowledge in your chosen area of culinary expertise. At the CIA, we offer many types of college degrees:

• Four-year bachelor’s degrees that offer expertise and advanced knowledge in applied food studies, hospitality management, culinary science, and food business management (offered at our New York campus).
• Two-year associate degrees that focus on fundamental skills in culinary arts as well as baking and pastry arts (available at all campuses).
• If you earn an associate degree at our California or Texas campuses, you can easily transfer the credits earned in that program and apply it to a CIA bachelor’s degree program in New York.

Not sure which degree is right for you? Contact our admissions team to learn more about which CIA program matches your career preferences.