ok…so i just got a call from the admissions at le cordeon bleu culinary institute…which is one of the best culinary schools in th US. if i have the chance to go there it would be…well the chance of a lifetime for me.

the only problem…im completely broke, and my mom cant help me pay for school. im a junior this year and am homeschooled.

what are some options for student loans, scholarships, and what not that i could apply for?

and if anyone has advice as to what i can do to prepare for culinary school in general…that would be amazing =]

You should complete the FAFSA, which stands for Federal Application For Student Aid. The government will assess your "expected family contribution" based on your mother's income and offer you a combination of loans/grants/work study (if applicable). The website is fafsa.ed.gov

Also, try fastweb.com. There is a very comprehensive scholarship search.

Get into contact with your school's financial aid office.

The fact that you have been home-schooled makes you unique, and there may be scholarships out there for home-schooled students!

Good luck!!

many great chefs have studied at the CIA (culinary institute of america). an example of these greats are each of the winners of the show Top Chef. all 3 attended CIA. so my question is, how hard is it to get into this school? what are the requirements???
is it possible to get accepted if you have no prior culinary experience???

The Experience Requirement*

The CIA requires that you gain about six months of hands-on food preparation experience in a kitchen in which at least 50% of the food is made to order on the premises. Here are some ways to gain this experience:

* Work in a commercial kitchen (e.g., restaurant, bakery, hospital, and college foodservice).
* Volunteer for a soup kitchen, hospital, or the like.
* Do an apprenticeship.
* Tell potential supervisors of your intention to attend the CIA. Often, they will then give you the opportunity to do hands-on food preparation.
* Work for a caterer (the hours are usually more flexible).
* Complete the hands-on requirements of your high school's ProStart or Hospitality program. (Please check with CIA Admissions to make sure your school's program applies.)

* Please note that you do not need foodservice experience to apply for admission—the requirement must be met before entering the CIA.

Getting Recommendations

Has it been a while since you were in school? If you are unable to get a recommendation letter from a former teacher or counselor, that’s OK. You can submit one from another individual who can attest to your passion for food and interest in a culinary career.

Want to make it easier for your guidance counselor, culinary educator, or foodservice employer to write your letter of recommendation for admission to the CIA? We can help. Just print out our Letter of Recommendation Guidelines and pass them along when you ask for the recommendation.

Prepare For Your Assessment Test

To make sure you start off on the right foot—and in the right class—the CIA requires all applicants to take assessment tests. If you are accepted and enroll at the CIA, these tests will determine your first classes so you can begin your studies confident that your education will meet your needs.

My choices are:
Bakersfield and
Sacramento/Angels Camp

I want the one with the best Islamic Center, and also the best culinary program..
Ive never been to California, in my life, and now get the chance to go.. I just need to make up my mind before new years day.. lol… please help? any information and links would be appreciated.

Depends on what part of Cal. Los Angles is a great place if you don't mind 12 million people on the freeways. I live in San Diego and there are great schools here and the Muslim community is very active and thriving.

i'm doing a research report in my chemistry class on a career (that involves chemistry) that i'm interested in.

Baking is all about chemistry for the uninformed. It is a lot more complex than throwing ingredients into a pan, sauteeing for a few minutes and hoping it turns out. You mess up on your measurements in baking, and you get a hockey puck or worse. You can go to a high-dollar school – there are numerous Culinary Academies, Culinary Institutes, etc. where you study the art of pastry & candies, and then work on your degree through general ed. courses offered there also. You can also work your way up through an apprenticeship program which is, in all honesty, the best way to go. There are thousands of students out there that, thanks to The Food Network and the glorification of the industry, are 30-40K in debt after graduating from one of the culinary academies only to find out they have to start out at the bottom in a bakery or restaurant anyways. Most start out at minimum wage, and you'll also have a student loan to repay. Seriously consider an apprenticeship or training at a community college first as an option – my daughter found out the hard way that there isn't the "demand" for pastry chefs that the school's recruiting agent tells you there is. Also interview pastry chefs in good restaurants and hotels near you and get their input.

Give the name of school and address

Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. It's in the Napa Valley, just a tad north of St. Helena.

CIA