The French Culinary Institute of New York City requires a high school diploma or the equivalent for admission into the culinary arts, pastry arts and restaurant management programs. No prerequisite courses or programs of study are necessary. Home-schooled graduates must speak with the FCI admissions office to verify whether their home school program complies with the institute's requirements. The Amateur and Advanced Studies programs (less than 18 hours of study per week) do not require a high school diploma for admission.
The FCI does not require its applicants to submit standardized test scores from examinations such as the SAT and COMPASS.
Technical requirements for applying to the FCI concern age and immigration status of international students. Applicants must be at least 17 to apply for the Culinary and Pastry Arts degree. Applicants for the Amateur and Advanced Studies programs must be at least 16. International students must have student visas to enroll in full-time study. Before applying, international students must speak with an international students admissions counselor to verify any country-specific procedures.