![\"Culinary](\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/how-to-think-through-the-decision-to-go-to-culinary-school-Escoffier-760x1024.png\")
<\/a>Fill out this worksheet to learn how to think through the decision to go to culinary school<\/p><\/div>\n
You can also use this PDF Worksheet<\/a> to fill in your answers and print it out, so that you can put together a solid plan as part of your ongoing research.<\/p>\n Plenty of people have made a mid-career change in pursuit of their dreams. If you\u2019ve been interested in food as a hobbiest, an avid restaurant diner, or a cooking show enthusiast \u2013 attending culinary school could launch you into a new and rewarding career. And with <\/span>online culinary school<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>baking school<\/span><\/a>, plant-based culinary programs<\/a>, and <\/span>hospitality & restaurant operations management programs <\/span><\/a>from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, you can have the flexibility you\u2019ll need to pursue your goals of cooking professionally.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to consider as you ask yourself, \u201cShould I go to culinary school?\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s driving your decision to go to culinary or pastry arts school? Before making a big decision, it\u2019s a good idea to gain clarity on what you really want and why.<\/p>\n Here are some questions to ask yourself. There\u2019s no wrong answer, but it\u2019s important that you\u2019re clear on your motives before beginning your studies.<\/p>\n Rank the following factors in order of importance. Do you want to:<\/p>\n When you\u2019re talking to our Admissions Advisors<\/a>, you\u2019ll be able to tell them your motives and expectations. This understanding will help them guide you towards the career you want \u2013 both in your studies and after you graduate.<\/p>\n It will also give you focus if you study while still working at your current job. There is no \u201cwrong\u201d motivation for attending school. But if you want to get the most out of your time in school, clear motives will help to keep you on track.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure how to rank your priorities, don\u2019t worry. Our Admissions Advisors can guide you and\u00a0 you can set your educational priorities together. They\u2019re here to help you.<\/p>\n You need a solid financial plan in place to make a smooth transition from your past career to your new one, or to get your degree or diploma if you\u2019re already working in the food business.<\/p>\n Start by considering your existing resources. If you\u2019re attending culinary school online, you may be able to <\/span> keep working to help pay for school. Also consider your savings or any financial input from family<\/span> to determine how much you can allocate to your education investment.<\/p>\n Other ways to consider paying for culinary school include:<\/p>\n Be sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid<\/a> (FAFSA) form to understand the wide variety of aid and federally-backed loan options that could be available to you.<\/p>\n You can always talk to a Financial Aid advisor<\/a> to learn how to apply for financial assistance. Are you thinking of applying a few months or a year down the road? Our advisors can fill you in on the expenses you should expect, so you can start saving for them before you\u2019ve even registered.<\/p>\n “Just filling out the application and the FAFSA were the most difficult things I had to do to get the process rolling. The Financial Aid Department was great at communicating with me. Jordan and the team at Escoffier were always emailing me back and letting me know where I was and how things were going.” Are you going to aim for a degree or a diploma? Which program<\/a>? Online or on-campus?<\/p>\n Your decision ultimately comes down to your goals and personal life situation. Many students who already have careers choose to continue working while studying, coordinating with their employers to work around their studies. Attending school online<\/a> offers a bit more flexibility, but many students at our campuses in Austin, Texas and Boulder, Colorado also continue working in their current jobs while studying.<\/p>\n Our online programs even include a Success Coach<\/a> for each student, and our Austin and Boulder campuses have advisors on staff to help identify obstacles, set goals and design academic plans if needed.<\/p>\n As you consider the right program for you, ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n As you work through these questions, you\u2019ll see if any red flags come up that will need to be addressed before you\u2019re ready to attend school.<\/p>\n Higher education is a commitment. It takes time and effort to gain new skills in any field. Think through the number of hours you\u2019ll be able to dedicate to your education each week.<\/p>\n Who can help hold you accountable to your dreams? Who in your life can call you out when you\u2019re not living up to your commitments? It\u2019s important to have friends and family members who will have the \u201chard\u201d conversations with you if required, and celebrate your wins with you as you do the work.<\/p>\n Take time to work through your decision-making plan. Print out the worksheet<\/a> and talk through your answers with people who know you well.<\/p>\n Before we wrap up this guide, here are two final thoughts…<\/p>\n The decision to go back to school is a big one…so give it some solid thought.<\/p>\n According to career coach and Forbes columnist Kathy Caprino<\/a>, there are five common mistakes people make when contemplating a career change.<\/p>\n Take your time in the planning stage of this change. By the time you contact us to begin your professional culinary training \u2013 either online or on campus \u2013 you\u2019ll have the vision, clarity and conviction to succeed.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t buy into the notion that it\u2019s too late to make a change in your career path. We see students of all ages and at all stages of their work life taking advantage of our online culinary school classes or joining us at our campuses in Boulder or Austin. Your life experience can actually be an asset if you\u2019re launching into the culinary or pastry arts.<\/p>\n No matter what\u2019s motivated you to make the change, we\u2019re here to support your learning journey. Our Career Services<\/a> staff give students and graduates the resources and knowledge they need to help find and flourish in their next job. You can read a few of our alumni success stories here<\/a>. Then contact us<\/a> to find out more about your next career in the culinary or pastry arts.<\/p>\n Did you find this article helpful? Here are some other resources you might like:<\/strong><\/p>\n This article was originally published on April 20, 2020, and has since been updated.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You can\u2019t answer \u201cShould I go to culinary school\u201d until you\u2019ve answered some other questions first. Use this worksheet to help you think it through.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":72964,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1285],"tags":[1302,1299,1300,72,94,64],"class_list":["post-15584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-value-of-culinary-education","tag-adult-students","tag-career-advancement","tag-career-change","tag-career-services","tag-financial-aid","tag-high-school-students"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n1. Understand Your Motives<\/h2>\n
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![\"Oscar](\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Oscar-Beltran.png\")
\u201cI would say my choice of going to culinary school instead of a four-year college was worth it. I love cooking, and I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t taken the chance of trying it first.\u201d
\n<\/span>Oscar Beltran, <\/strong>Escoffier Boulder Culinary Arts Graduate<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n2. Financing: How Will You Pay for Culinary or Pastry Arts School?<\/h2>\n
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\nBrent Unruh, Boulder Culinary Arts Graduate<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/A-financial-aid-advisor-is-going-over-paper-with-female-escoffier-student-in-uniform-768.jpeg\")
\n3. Research Programs of Interest<\/h2>\n
Personal Considerations<\/h3>\n
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School Considerations<\/h3>\n
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![\"Online](\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Online-culinary-student-taking-a-course-on-the-computer-768.jpg\")
\nLogistical Considerations<\/h3>\n
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4. Plan For Your Success<\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t Make a Rash Decision: Avoid These Mistakes<\/h2>\n
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![\"Chef](\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Chef-typing-on-laptop-computer-on-table-with-knife-eggs-and-vegetables-768.jpg\")
\nIt\u2019s Never Too Late to Make a Change<\/h2>\n
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