Being accepted to culinary school is much like being accepted to any other institution of higher learning, and there are plenty of places to get a culinary education. More than 100 schools offer culinary degree programs, according to the American Culinary Federation, and most offer both associate's and bachelor's degree programs.
There are several key factors in choosing a culinary school: locale, price, entry requirements, duration of the program, accreditation, teaching facilities, class size and curriculum. Another important factor is how many of the school's students go on to work professionally in food services. Just as with choosing a college, once you've narrowed the field, visit each school and then send in applications. Once you're accepted, it's time to make a choice. By the time that point comes, you should have enough information to make the right decision.
Financial aid may be a consideration, and the first step in that case is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application is available online and is standard for all students seeking financial aid. Students can take out personal loans to finance their educations, which can run up to $30,000, but there are federal options available, such as Stafford Loans, which are granted on the basis of need.
Most culinary schools require a high-school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate, as well as a completed application. Some also require the applicant to take an entrance exam, and many ask for at least six months of hands-on experience in food services, particularly in the kitchen.
Hands-on experience often can come through high-school culinary programs, such as Careers in Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), a nonprofit that matches underprivileged students who have a desire to work in culinary arts with job training and scholarships. Other programs include the Institute of Culinary Education, which offers education to high-school students, and a regular culinary curriculum offered in many high schools.