Vocational training can look very different from the \u201cstandard\u201d four-year college, so students often have a lot of questions. We\u2019ve put together a helpful guide with all the facts high school students should know about culinary school before they enroll.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n
Are You Eligible for Culinary School?<\/h2>\n
Different schools will have slightly different eligibility requirements. At Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, all incoming students must meet the following criteria in order to be admitted:<\/p>\n
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- Be at least 16 years old (if under 18 years old, must also have parental permission)<\/li>\n
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or international equivalent<\/li>\n
- Complete an application (there is no application fee)<\/li>\n
- Submit an enrollment agreement and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Release form<\/li>\n
- Complete an admissions interview<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The final three tasks are completed as part of your application process. So as long as you\u2019re 16 or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent, you\u2019re eligible to apply!<\/p>\n
Make Accreditation a Priority<\/h2>\n
No matter which program you decide to attend, you\u2019ll want to look for accreditation. When an institution is accredited, it has been assessed and <\/span>verified to meet certain minimum standards. It has the resources to deliver the education it promises. Also, students attending an accredited school are eligible for federal financial aid if they apply and qualify.<\/p>\n
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado is nationally accredited<\/a> by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). It is also approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements for its distance-learning, i.e. online culinary programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The Austin, Texas campus is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Studies. It\u2019s also authorized as an Associate of Applied Science degree-granting institution through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.<\/p>\n
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\nLook for the Program That Serves Your Goals<\/h2>\n
Culinary school, just like any other post-secondary education, is an investment in your future. So high school students should start by defining their career and life goals. Then, you can start exploring which education options will get you closer to those goals.<\/p>\n
Degrees vs. Diplomas: Which is Right For You?<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s the difference between a diploma and a degree? Diplomas programs provide a foundational<\/span> level of coursework and skills training.<\/span> A degree program includes<\/span> additional academic courses and has a longer externship requirement. Diploma programs are often more affordable than degrees and focus on preparing students for their first culinary jobs<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Escoffier offers both associate degrees and diploma programs, both for those in search of traditional culinary school or a\u00a0plant-based culinary school<\/a>. Escoffier’s\u00a0programs are designed to help provide students with the cooking skills they might need in a professional kitchen, as well as an introduction to business and entrepreneurial concepts.<\/span><\/p>\n
If you’re in search of a baking school<\/a> or pastry school, Escoffier offers additional<\/span> diplomas and degrees in Baking & Pastry Arts. Focusing on breads, chocolate, pastries, and other <\/span>desserts. <\/span>Some of t<\/span>he<\/span>se programs also include coursework in cost control, communication, and other valuable business topics.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nFor those looking to work in hospitality management, Escoffier Boulder also provides an online associate degree program in Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management. This business-focused curriculum prepares students to be leaders in the industry through strong communication, financial management, organizational efficiencies, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n
All Escoffier programs require that students complete an in-person externship where they\u2019ll get real-world experience. This lets them put their skills to use in a working kitchen and gives students a taste of the brigade de cuisine.<\/p>\n
\n“I would say that Escoffier is a very well-rounded program. The experience that you’re going to get at Escoffier, especially the farm-to-table program, is so phenomenal because so many people don’t have an idea of where their food comes from. Most kids don’t even know that food actually came from somewhere other than a store. And to be able to have that aspect is phenomenal.”
\nErica Boykin, Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher, Summit High School in Arlington, TX*
\n<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nStudents who are eager to get to work as quickly as possible may find that an on-campus<\/span> diploma program is the right choice for them. And students who are looking for a wider variety of courses might find an associate degree program to be a better fit.<\/p>\n
Dedicated Culinary School vs. Community College<\/h3>\n
What about a local community college\u2019s culinary program?<\/p>\n
That\u2019s certainly an option! A community college program could be a good fit if you plan to stay in your local area throughout your career. But a dedicated culinary school<\/a> may have better name recognition on a national level, which can be useful <\/span>if you hope to take your skills to another city or state.<\/p>\n
A dedicated culinary school is also typically<\/span> a more focused program.\u00a0At Escoffier,\u00a0the associate degree\u2019s math and writing<\/span> requirements are met in hospitality-based courses like Foodservice Math & Accounting and Technical Writing for the Hospitality Industry. But at a community college, those courses will be the same for all students, regardless of their program. And they<\/span> may be harder to apply to your culinary career.<\/p>\n
If students plan to transfer to a four-year college after completing their associate degree, community college may make sense. But if their goal is to start working in the culinary field as soon as possible, a dedicated culinary school might be a better choice.<\/p>\n
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\nChoosing Your Campus<\/h2>\n
High school students have a number of options to choose from when deciding where to take culinary classes.<\/p>\n
Escoffier has a Texas culinary school<\/a> in Austin and Colorado culinary school<\/a> in Boulder – two cities with lively cultures and food scenes. We are also the only U.S. accredited institution offering 100% online diplomas and degrees nationwide with culinary classes and hands-on industry externships. If you’re looking for baking & pastry school<\/a>, Escoffier also has online and on-campus options. All degree and diploma programs come with\u00a0hands-on industry externships.*<\/span><\/p>\n
Online Culinary School<\/h3>\n
Yes, you can attend <\/span>culinary school online<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n
Online culinary school gives students the option to earn<\/span> their education while still living at home, or while working their first job after high school graduation. If you’re a parent researching culinary school options for your child, online programs offer flexibility and let<\/span> students fit school in with their other obligations.<\/p>\n
\n“I think Escoffier\u2019s online education makes a student very competitive…I would absolutely recommend Escoffier. It\u2019s affordable, it\u2019s flexible and it\u2019s comprehensive. The Chef Instructors are so wonderful, and they care very much about the success of every student.”
\nLaura DeVries, Online Culinary Arts graduate<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nA typical week might start<\/span> with reading assignments and a live instruction session with classmates. Then, students complete their weekly cooking assignments, providing photos and a written summary of what they\u2019ve made. The Chef Instructor<\/a> then assesses submissions and provides feedback to help students improve and achieve course and program objectives.<\/p>\n\t
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