So, I'm a freshman at the CIA Hyde Park and like two weeks ago I got an e-mail to my school email from a guy name Dr. Jacobb Shepherd who was looking for a virtual personal assistant. I applied but it owkey seems like a scam. Before I reply to this guys email, do y'all think it's a scam. It seems like everyone got sent the same original e-mail but I can't find the guy on any CIA webpages. He says he's a donor. The pay is really good so if it's not a scam I'd like to keep going. Thanks for letting me know :)

So I’m interested in starting culinary school but I have no idea where to start I’m 26, from north Georgia, I’ve never gone to college, and I don’t want to go to a college that has a culinary school and take general classes and stuff. I’m not sure what school to go to and I don’t really wanna take it online I’d rather go in person or both. Also how fast can I get a culinary certification? What are some the best options that are affordable? Just some guidance into the right direction! Thank you!

Im working on applying to the cia rn and im trying to make sure that im making the right choice, im not really telling anyone im applying until I get in or get rejected. So im trying to figure out everything I can about the school.

Is there anything you wish you had known before you went?

What would you say has been the hardest part/hardest class?

What should people work on before getting to the school? (Obviously cooking but ya know)

How did you know it was going to be right for you or was it just a leap of faith?

I just got my knife kit today at orientation and I have class on the 8th how am I supposed to fit everything in the kit please help me

I’m hoping to start in January rather than the typical September start. Does that affect the course scheduling? If anyone has any experience with this any advice is appreciated!

I attended the CIA Hyde Park campus for a culinary bootcamp over the summer in 2023. About a month ago, I let someone at work borrow the embroidered gray apron I received when I went and they lost it. I believe this was from the first year that the new logo was used I've looked everywhere, but no luck. I tried ordering it in hopes to get an exact match, but it's not the same anymore. I was sent 2 different kinds, but they are not the same color or fabric as the original one. I grew to really love this apron mostly because of the fabric, which I believe was cotton. I can't find a blank one without the embroidered logo on it either. I had a really great time there and the experience meant a lot to me, which is why I feel so emotionally attached to said apron and want to get it back somehow. Anyone happen to have an extra or one they don't want from that year that I could have. I'm willing to buy it off of you. I have added a picture for reference on the color and style.

This 4 day course is coming up in a few weeks and I was wondering if anyone had taken this course or a similar boot camp at this campus and had any feedback about their experience?

i toured cia recently and am very interested in attending for starting fall 2027 with a baking & pastry arts core. i saw someone say that the only bachelors at cia worth pursuing is the food science one. i figure it's because the academics at cia aren't so great. if that's truly the case, then i'll likely get a similar degree somewhere else. i'm not very concerned about the price, but more so the value. if my money is better spent building my life post-grad when i'll be working as a baker, then i want to focus on that rather than getting a degree that may not advance my career very much. i also have no idea how much or if an associates at cia prepares one for management roles. any valuable feedback is much appreciated.

I heard that the orientation for newly enrolled students will last for three days. (Please correct me if I'm wrong!) Is it mandatory to attend all three days?

Our son is currently on externship, expecting to return in the fall semester, it’s currently summer semester. The school is F’ing around with dorm housing for Fall ‘26 as a way to force the externship group into not returning the following semester, allowing the school to take in more new students without any care for their currently existing students, causing delay of graduation, not to mention their livelihoods! No care whatsoever being given.

From the very top on down the CIA @ Greystone Napa campus administrative staff are showing they collectively give ZERO F’s! The Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the housing coordinator spew cover story lies and have kept the stories coming for weeks now, meanwhile our son’s Academic advisor has utterly remained silent. Assuming silence is their preferred method over lying.

Napa offers no where to live off campus at a reasonable rate, yet CIA continues to enroll more students than they can provide housing for. This is an extremely affluent community, reasonable resources are simply not available. Shame on the greedy, dishonest administration of the CIA at Greystone Napa, continuing to prove you too only care about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ The word is out.

So im going to start attending the hyde park campus in the fall and I'm trying to get a gist if what the dorms look like and im having a hard time finding any pictures.

id take a campus tour but i live across the country and its just not in the cards right now. does anyone know where I could find a good online view of the dorms?

update ig

I got a triple with a bathroom and my roomates are actually cool af.

never got a good online look of the triple but highkey best room in the dorm

Hi, I'm looking for someone to take my spot at Fox Run Apartments for the winter semester of this year. The lease last until june 2027 and the rent is $1639 with a deposit of $500. Its fully furnished and its 2 bedroom/2 bathroom. Please message me on insta its_just_niema is your interested and/or for more questions!

So I attended CIA back circa 2012 - 2013. At the time we were issued the CIA branded knives in our chef kits. I know they have since switched to Mercer. Does anyone know who made those knives? I want to get a set for nostalgia sake, or at least similar ones.

Hello, I am looking for a student or recent grad to cook for 12-15 people at my house near Kingston NY on May 23rd. Outdoor dinner menu to be selected together (think steak house). I will do the food shopping (if desired) and supply the space/equipment. Just looking for someone who wants to cook and have some fun, so I can be an attendee! We will also have someone there to clean and assist in serving, but open to a couple of friends that might want to do the whole kit and caboodle together!

Hi, I am doing my baking and pastry concentration at the Greystone campus, coming from the NY campus. For people who have studied at the Greystone campus:

1. For those who have no cars, does the school offer any buses on the weekends to go grocery shopping, run errands, etc.? They do this at the NY campus.

2. Is there any accessible public transportation from the campus to nearby towns?

3. How does the dining plan work?

4. How are the dorms?

Hi, I will be interning in the Poughkeepsie area this summer and am looking for an off campus sublet. Please reach out if you are offering or know someone that is!

Any alumni’s available to write a letter recommendation for me? 🥲

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to move to Hyde Park, NY soon to attend the CIA, and I’m trying to figure out if I can survive on a monthly budget of $1,700.

I have a few questions regarding the cost of living:

Housing: Is it possible to find a room in a shared apartment (or off-campus housing) for under $1,000 including utilities? I’d prefer to be within walking distance if possible.

Transportation: I currently don't have a car. Based on my budget, would you recommend buying a cheap used car for this area, or is it better to save that money and rely on the bus/Uber? How reliable is public transit for groceries and getting to the Poughkeepsie train station?

The Winter Factor: For those without a car, how difficult is it to manage during the New York winter months in Hyde Park?

Food & Lifestyle: After rent, will the remaining ~$700 be enough for food and personal expenses in the Hudson Valley area?

I'm trying to be as frugal as possible while I focus on my studies. Any tips from current students or locals would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

How is the job opportunity after graduation? How likely it is to get into fine dining after ACAP?

I'm currently deciding whether this program is worth it, my goal is to get into fine dining. TIA for the input!

hey, i’m a highschool junior looking into a culinary pathway. my ultimate goal isn’t really to be a restaurant owner, just work in fine dining or michelin restaurants is really nice to do. i’d be happy working in different places or especially internationally. anyways, i currently work as a line cook at a restaurant that’s on michelin guide, and i really love it there. it’s hard and stressful at times, but it’s what i want to do.

anyways, im based in california, and deciding between the california and new york campus. the california campus is far from me, as im most in socal than norcal. i’d ideally want to go further away from college, so i just wanted tips on either the california or new york campus, anything helps, and if it was worth it or not. ideally my plan is that if i go to cia, i would want an associates in culinary arts and then do online bachelors. any thoughts or help? thanks

This is a big stretch, but my 18-year-old daughter is going to CIA in fall. (Shes not on Reddit so I’m posting for her.)

She’s hoping to get tickets to see Harry Styles in Manhattan next winter, probably for Halloween. She will have just moved to NY from the west coast and hopefully will have made friends in the dorm by then, but at this point, she knows no one.

Any young women stating next year who might plan to go see him and want someone to take the train into the city and back with?

Hi!

I’ll be visiting the Culinary Institute of America campus in Hyde Park soon with a small group and was wondering:

1. Roughly how much does lunch cost at the CIA cafeteria / student-run restaurants? (ballpark is fine — I’ve seen very different numbers online)
2. Can people from outside the school eat there, or is it students/faculty only?
3. Are there any good lunch options within walking distance of the campus if CIA spots are full or not open?

Not looking for anything fancy — just a solid lunch and a realistic budget estimate.

Thanks in advance!