Schools?

[horseygurl88]

Hi all!

I know this isn't exactly the main subject of the comm, but it is about food, and making my cooking more porn-y!

I'm looking at culinary school, particularly at the French Culinary Institute, in their Patisserie & Pastry course. I've thought for a very long time about going into a course like this (Since about age eleven, and I'm

Comments

[wileflowr]

Off topic too...I'm going to UM for grad school in the fall!
I too would like to go to culinary school but thats pushed aside til grad school and a career and money ensue :)

[horseygurl88]

Oooh, nice! What are you majoring in? My mom was in Communications and Anthropology, which I have very fond memories of from being very little and sitting in her classes with her. :)

[wileflowr]

I'm getting my MBA (masters in business admin.) Its prob a lot more boring than comm. or anthro :)

[kint]

My biggest beef with culinary school is that, by and large, it is really quite expensive, especially when you start looking at schools with a good name. I went to the Le Cordon Bleu program at Brown College in Minneapolis...my Associates degree cost $35K, though incoming classes soon after were paying $40K. Our administration was working harder to push more students through and make more money than they were to hire good staff so the experience was mixed at best

[horseygurl88]

Yeah, I certainly have to agree with you on sticker shock for the end price they quote. $37,650?!?! Coming from someone who spent about fifty dollars all told on my entire official high school education (for state homeschool registration fees), the idea of secondary ed put me off for a LONG time, because I didn't have any idea for a degree course if I went into a regular college.

I do really want to find some grads, and sit in on at least one class, and more if I possibly can. There's a "young talent" class, which is for up to 2 years post-high school. I don't know if that would suit me, to be with people closer to my age, but it might be nice. Then again, I find I have a lot more in common with people older than me, precisely because I didn't sit in a classroom for four years. I'm already IN my "adult" life, and have been for several years, as the guidance counselors I've heard are so fond of saying.

[valerie922]

I began the Art Institute of Atlanta Culinary Associate's Degree Program in October 2001, and graduated in December 2003. It cost me $350/month the first two years I was there plus I have about 25K in student loans, so yeah, 40K. Here's the thing you need to know

[horseygurl88]

Yeah, I've heard more than once that getting into a kitchen ASAP is the way to go. I have tabs on several jobs, and I DO have some voulnteer experience in kitchens on large scales.
I can certainly agree on the hotel idea.. New York's an extreme Hotel City, and I'm positive I could find a job either with them or at -some- restaurant.
I believe the career placement program at FCI is also lifelong. My main drawback with the Art Institute is the fact that as far as I can tell, it runs on a traditional quarterly schedule, which would be somewhat frustrating to wait in order to enroll.
As to being tied to New York.. yes, I kind of am. Family finances are a bit thin right now, and a third housing agreement would not be possible right now, even if student loans paid for most or all of it. I DO ahve family in Atlanta, but I don't drive, and the MARTA doesn't run near where my family lives.

[valerie922]

They closed the Johnson & Wales in Charleston, didn't they, a couple of years ago...

Well, anyway, I hope you find a good school and have realistic expectations...I just finished training a new baker who came out of one of the Le Cordon Bleu schools thinking she was going to make $30 K a year right out of school and be a Chef in five years. She ended up quitting with no notice to go make 12$/hr. answering telephones in the same hotel, but she still has to pay back those loans. Know that it won't be easy, but it will be worth every bit of work.

[shortybear84]

They closed it last year or the year before to open a new campus in Charlotte, NC. My B/f graduated from there for culinary & is attended the new one now for hospitality management

[smokeyourgender]

culinary school is wonderful, but extremely expensive. i go to the art institute of seattle and its about 55000 dollars for the two year program to get an associates degree. its really rounding out my culinary education and experience (i worked in catering for 3.5 years before entering culinary school

[valerie922]

That's so funny--I was just reading your page because of another entry you wrote...

[elviramouse]

I haven't gone to culinary school myself but my Cousin is currently in a program and my friends boyfriend has completed a program