The military feeling of it comes from the schools upbringing, the school was founded to help returning vets from WW2 earn culinary degrees

The CIA was so much fun! I went because of the structure. The whole thing was a challenge and it was something different everyday. We had parties in the dorms, we went off campus to town or up to Rhinebeck, took the train to the city, drove to New Paltz…there is plenty to do. After attending a regular state school and then going to CIA, I would choose CIA over and over. Plus, they are trying to prepare you for the demands of our business. You can’t just skip work in a restaurant or hotel when you don’t feel like going or else you’ll soon find yourself unemployed. This place used to weed out those that couldn’t hack it, though it has become far less strict in recent years in order to keep up with other chain schools. Still in my opinion, if you’re going to take the plunge and go to a culinary school, treat it like it’s already your career, be serious about it, and go to the best school you can.

We had parties when I was there just kept them smaller and indescrete nothing ever was said

That's actually a fairly high graduation rate. Most universities are trying to push 70%!

This video was super helpful and entertaining (that sneeze haha)! Videos like these are very much needed, because the CIA itself will (understandably) only post videos that show off all the great things about their school, and skip over the rough stuff. I've always wondered about the "one-upping" thing, because I know people come into the school with different levels of experience and different backgrounds and different ways of doing things. Oh and thanks for clarifying the dress code rules. With any luck, I'll soon be attending the Hyde Park NY branch for a Bachelors in Baking and Pastry Management :).

**Thankyou for making this video, I added a few things I hope you don't mind. The first few just added to the video, the bulk of my comments are for the current and future CIA students.** Nobody planning a career in foodservice should complain about long hours. AM pantry for me started at 3am..I graduated in 2000. So far you're pretty accurate. To add to dress code, no facial hair except a mustache...yeah...no piercings, you'll get sent home if your whites are wrinkled. Sanitation is long, boring, dry and absolutely required. If you blow of sanitation, you shouldn't be in a kitchen, ever. The instructors at the CIA are all different. Some are amazing, some aren't, a few are a$$-holes, those are some of your best as well so don't forget it. Take them seriously, if they ask you to do some work outside, SAY YES. many of these Instructors are legends, some are CMC's. Learn everything you can from them. Keep your shoes polished, whites always white, starched and pressed. If you don't know how to iron, youtube before you start classes. Invest in hangers, keep your whites pristine. Invest in kitchen shoes: non slip sole, the must be comfortable at hour 1 and hour 12+. If they hurt, get new shoes and dont go cheap. Your future self thanks you. The brewpub up route 9 is a wonderful place and their cheddar cheese soup is legendary, I hope they are still in business. One of our greatest presidents lived in Hyde Park, go visit him, of course the one and only...FDR. There was a drive in on the right side wed drive a pickup truck and our kitchen chairs to see a double feature. If we drank too much we were a stones through from our crappy apartment. There are parties but off campus. There's some sh***y clubs in Poughkeepsie, I wouldn't recommend. New Paltz across the river was a cool place to go out. Cabaloosa if it's still there will likely still have Grateful Dead night. The acceptance rate is WAY too high, my generation had to have actual experience on foodservice, letters of recommendation from your past chefs etc. That slowly went away and you see how it affects graduation rate. It's expensive yes. If you go and f**k off, good job, you wasted a ton of money. If you work hard, grab as much information as you possibly can while you're there, it goes quick but you'll graduate with some actual skills. **Most Important** After you graduate, don't think for a second that you are a chef. Don't have an attitude because you "went to the CIA you're better than XYZ." You're not better than anyone anywhere. CIA grads and even externs go out with an attitude sometimes, not all of course but enough to warrant a comment from me. Drop it. It will only do harm, so if you think you may have a little ego, drop it immediately. When you earn 3 stars from Michelin, then we'll talk about a little bit of ego, until then, you are pond scum! Remember, there are dishwashers, who will do your job faster, better and cheaper than you so don't give someone reason to not like you. And ALWAYS take care of your dishwashers. Before service, make sure they eat, even if you don't have time, drop off pitchers of the soft drinks they like. Beers after work even better. Offer your cigarettes, when A Toilet explodes the most horrifying substance you've ever seen, they will be the ones going to battle, but if you're a d**che-bag, you might be going in there in their place... Not saying kiss anyone's a$s, but they were the lowest on the totem poll but now you are. If dishwashers don't like you, trust me they will be in someone's ear and you will go before they do. Just Remember this... You Are NOT A CHEF. Aspiring Culinarian? Ok, sure, but Chef? NO WAY. That's a title you need to earn and not a school on Earth can grant that title. The title of "Chef" is earned in the field. Putting your time in the trenches until you one day command a brigade of your own. Until that day, don't ever call yourself a chef. You are NOT A CHEF. You are a cook, which is a noble term, if you want to be a chef, you're going to have to earn it. A CIA diploma doesn't mean sh**. Your resume...doesn't mean sh**. You can bs your way through school and resumes quite easily. The only thing that matters is "Can you cook in a commercial kitchen?" That's it. A wiseman once said "Don't Sing it, Bring it". Don't tell me how great you are, let greatness speak for itself and you just keep your mouth shut. Good luck.

I feel that time management is a huge part to attending this school. After 14 years in the Marine Corps, I will be attending this school and it sound just like my school haha. No parties just learning. All I need. Thank you for sharing. Helped out!

Great video! It brought back many memories. Back when I first applied in 1984, there was a 2 year wait after you were approved, I started in Fall 1986. Back then there was only 1 degree you could get, A.O.S. Also, that seems like a lot of dropouts, I only knew of a handful people that quit or failed out, only 3 (that I remember) from my group of 72. Also you would get sent home if your uniform was incomplete, dirty or if you weren't clean shaven. And any chef passing you in the hall could make you go and change or shave but you had to come back to finish the class. Parties were allowed back then but you would have to be wary of the people in your dorm that had to be up at 3 a.m. for pantry class. And we would bring kegs down by the RR tracks, also we had a bar on campus, so I guess those were the good old days. Is Lake Veloute still there? I haven't been back to campus since probably before you were born in maybe, 1999 or 2000.

I went to Institut Paul Bocuse and it sounds exactly the same, but we definitely partied when we could, and the academic side was fucking hard. You were also expected to rent your own place. Got through 2 years and 1 internship but didn't make it in the end - I didn't do well on the theory side of things and I just underperformed so they kicked me out. I thought it was harsh them not giving me a second chance but shit happens. I've been working in restaurants since, but I haven't got a degree - hasn't stopped me from finding work in kitchens but I think I still want a degree you know. Hope your experience is better but it must be hard with Covid. Great video! Good luck!

Aye I'm starting in the fall for baking and pastry arts. I'm glad this was recommended to me. A lot of the teachers I talk to dont really dig into details.

The CIA is showing you what the real culinary world looks like. 4 am getting ready for breakfast, 8 - 10 hour day. Loved the Am shift. Best choice I ever made. Yes chef, no chef. You need to shut your mouth listen and absorb it all. Class of Oct 97.

Good video. I'm heading to Hyde Park this Fall and this type of info is good to know. Thanks!

Thank you sooooo much. I've been having a hard time finding testimonials from baking and pastry students. I start in the fall at greystone and would love to see a part 2 with more info on the program itself and your personal experiences. Maybe you could share what the workload is like or what your favorite/least favorite classes are like? Thank you so much for any additional info!

Okay I have one question what’s the difference between culinary arts and culinary skills? Which one is better for me to start a my chef career as a beginner?thanks

I am not the smartest when it comes to reading books, but I do love cooking and hoping to get accepted to the CIA, is it possible to get into the college even with a low grade because I don't think my GPA is good

I'm an incoming freshman and this was so helpful! thank you!!!!

Can you make a video of the good things in CIA or the things you like see original there? I'm just curious because i want to study there and thanks for the video to informational

I am just wondering since I am applying there soon, how much experience in the industry did you already have before applying? Or, did you not have work experience?

Great video, not much has changed lol. Although I see that the trailers are no longer there. Those were the “cottages” of our day back then 😂

Thank you for sharing!! I just hope when I go that I don't have a Gordon Ramsey type of professor lol

As a grad from 12 yrs ago things have really changed lol hope u make it all the way thru... Most people don't end up comeing back from extern... Half my class did not show up to. Finish

I'm going there in the fall.... thanks for scaring me more :) but i also thank you for warning me

Nice video! The points you made are so true! Especially with the professionalism! I think you and I enrolled the same time (September 2019?) I’m in the Culinary Arts program for Food Business Management. I also see the point about one-upping people... a lot of competition...

Hello I'm super interested in going to culinary school but at the same time I'm a little nervous. I just want to know you don't have to say anything on it. Just how do you make money while going to school? To be able to pay for classes or even living just wondering on that. Thank you for posting ive only seen a few but thanks

Im from Mexico and im thinking about going to CIA, how much is the tuition? I dont quite understand that about American Colleges Also if I’m a foreign, how can i get the school credits?

Do you get to eat the meals you make? It doesn’t go to waste right?

thanks for good info! will attend next may. need to prepare a lot to go there from Korea:>

thank you so much I'm a freshman in high school and Ive been debating between CIA and ICE to go to for future schooling you are the person that has shared the best info so far (that I've found) this helps so much :)

Can you give me a list of some of the available majors to choose from? I was always curious how it worked. Do you have to take dessert classes? Thanks for your time

Im just a sophmore in highschool but im seriously looking forward to try and go to CIA i want to start my own business still havent really decided if its going to be a bakery or a restaurant right now im just testing my skills to see which one of the two im better at 😂 i enjoy both so much. Im going to have to work hard to reach my goals!

Thanks for the info!

Can you explain the summer semester more? Like are we on campus for the semester? Does it cost the same as the other semesters? Is it required?

I am graduate I have the class of 1973 , I went to New Haven Connecticut my first year and my Senior year Hyde Park New York campus doesn’t look the same at all when I was there the building was even done completely but my question is at the egg does the students have to pay for his account in the yearly vans…..

Did you pursue it because you already baked / cooked and wanted to get better at it? Or you wanted to try it out as a career?

I graduated last year. It was a lot of hard work. I got into a lot of fights with the chefs and other people. But in other words, do your best.

2004 bachelor Culinary alumni here, when I was there AM pantry started at 2 am. You mentioned there is no summer vacations, but you forgot to mention no spring vacation and once in a while there are Saturday classes. When you mentioned people being stuck up I think you were more so looking for that that everyone is egotistical, which is very true. Really the number of overblown egos there is the reason why I left New York State after graduation.

Now you're making me rethink whether I should go in the fall-

This was super informative! Thanks!

is it necessary to use alcohol? (my religion prohibits it)

Thanks, I have a question. Do you have to pay for your knives or do you already get those in tuition?

Do they offer scholarship or any financial aid for international students?

Thanks this video was really helpfulI. Is on campus housing included in tuition? If not, how much is it to stay on campus?

Is this a good idea to learn how to cook and then maybe possibly opening up a restaurant later on?

Is there such thing as a bachelors in bakery and pastry? What if I wanted a bachelors degree and still wanted to do all the same baking and pastry class. Is that such a thing?

Hey Can u please tell me how many semesters are there in business management in food And is it two years or 3

Ur so right... I’m working there rn and it’s a very nice sch but a lot of rules... tbh I’m loving this job...

Thank you for your video, I am trying to understand what you're saying - from Korea..!!!

so quick question.. with this whole covid stuff going on, is class still normal?? is the fall semester and everything going to be like usual?

Is the associate in baking / culinary a useful degree? tho it's just 1 1/2 year compared to a bachelor but what's the major difference between the both? I hope it's not like in associate they don't teach everything and just brush through topics?

I’m going to the NY Hyde park campus this fall for Associates degree Culinary arts I’m so excited

When i have to send my application if i want to go to CIA after finishing high school on august 2021?

Can you do a part two of the meals and baked goods you’re proud of making?

Just wondering, is it possible to get a scholarship to this school or any other culinary school? This is really my passion, but don’t know if I can afford it

I wish I could say I had a great time at the CIA but from start to finish I didn’t. I dropped out of after one year- I didn’t even see the inside of a kitchen. The idea that I who had been there for a year had less priority on classes than someone who had just arrived makes no sense and still baffles me. My academic advisor doesn’t respond to any emails by me. That’s just scratching the surface; I have so many horror stories. I really wanted to love it but, the CIA lives off a name purely.

This was a good video. Does CIA offer any non-credit, recreational classes? I wouldn't mind taking some classes, but I'm not interested in getting a degree or becoming a professional chef.

I go there too and all you said was correct😂 almost graduating culsi bachelor’s ✌🏽

so would you recommend this as a place to go to?? I want to study hospitality management

Do u think there having the journey for juniors in the fall, or do we just have to go visit it ourselves

Hi iam from goa and Can I join CIA after my 10th pass ??? Please reply 🙏

Thanks for the info

what is the cost of the entire 1 1/2 year program and the 3 year program?

Do they have the option of not touching or cutting beef and pork for Indians?

Hi I’m obsessed with your videos even tho I’m a barely a sophomore in high school but I really want to go to culinary school and especially CIA, I wanted to ask you if the academic classes are really hard because I’m not so good at math, I love your videos !😊

Hey Junior in high school here, I’ve made it my dream to become a chef and want to go there and was wondering if you can get access to kitchens after classes to work on ur craft there?

Hi Thank you for all the information you have given But could you please help me with this one thing I have been planning to take an associate degree in baking and pastry arts, so can I know which month of the year does this degree start and how would be the environment there..

Shocking well I need go there for my bachelor degree

They are asking me to purchase multiple textbooks, do I really need to buy them for my classes?

Must husband starts soon, can you give an example of the typical hours of your schedule?

There are no "breaks" in the workforce. You might get two weeks of vacation if you're lucky...

Hi💕 I’m 15 years old turkish girl who is curius about gastronomy and kitchen arts.. I didn’t find any information about this can i ask to you? Is this school is University? Hope u will answer. Havr a great day 🤍

Hi, is it really difficult to work if you never had non-veg?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE DRESS CODE CLARIFICATION- i read the dress code and was like business casual pajamas??????

Went to military school, currently in military, seems like a good fit for me lmao

I really wanna go there next fall. Any tips for a senior in highschool trying to get in?

honestly, I plan to join the CIA because I love to cook, I have 1 year of culinary school already completed so I will be able to transfer college credits, but I wanna learn more about the college.

I went to the Stock Pot Culinary school in Winston-Salem nc. The chef there was maya angelou and oprah chef. I saved so much money and probably learned more then the CIA while spending less money....

i’m 15 and cia is my dream school. i’ve been baking/cooking since i was 6 so i’m decently experienced and know a little about food. do i have to have certain knife skills or whatever before we go there or are there specific things i could work on now so i’m better prepared?

this is a stupid question but do you get tested for thc often

That is what a true art school is like. Hard discipline. You show up for class and do the assignments. You take the harsh critique of your work from fellows students who rip you apart. (You do the same when it’s your turn.) The art teachers would say: ‘your clients will never be as harsh. Use the critique to learn and to improve. Always continue to learn. Art is organic. It grows and changes.’ You cut classes. You do not do the work. You never try to improve. Choose another field.

Just sayin the graduation rate is not that low considering the percent of acceptances.

is there a mass amount of work outside of class?

Exactly this is what this is about being competitive that’s normal u went to school knowing the rules because you did the orientation so why would you expect long breaks the education in the nort East is different from down south here in Florida party school are over here lmao this state is crazy I wanted to attend this school still thinking about it I also want to learn baking this how I ended up watching this video I know exactly what u mean it does drain you when everyone wants to be number one it’s like ur just there to learn I get that but it’s all a part of it lmk what you think

I would love such long classes of cooking

I live in England and this sounds amazing

we had a blast, did our work and partied hard at Gafney's

How’s the quarantine situation handled on campus?

Hello, thanks for the informative video, is their any upper age limit for admission, like a career shift! thanks & regards :)))

12am apple pie breads class brutal class!

So you do get a summer break it’s just shorter

Can a greek citizen like me apply for the college and graduate?

If i take a bachelors degree i will have more opportunities or is the same as associates?

actually sounds good

I had to get up at 6 am for 10 years of my life for a class starting at 8 40 am

6am? Wait til breakfast class. Great vid tho! Be lucky!

how high is that math....?

Hi, can I live off-campus?

Could have talked about your externships, about career services offered at CIA, about career fairs, life after graduation, advantages for such prestigious culinary school, how much to salary to expect after graduating, where you start after graduation, other career paths you can choose other than being in restaurant, cafes, bakeries, or owning your own bakery. theres a lot to talk about. Is the investment really worth it?

When did the idea “I go to college only to party” become popular? Isn’t it the point to dive into academics? After college, in the workforce you’re going to have only one month of holidays anyway. And you can’t skip you job! I see this as a trial for the real thing.

What classes did you choose? Micro or macroeconomics, and what like math science did you pick for your credits?

How many year is the bachelor degree?