The first step in applying to our program is to take a tour of our campus and meet with one of our Admissions Advisors. During your tour, the Advisor can answer any questions you might have, and can guide you in selecting a program and schedule that fits your needs.
We've designed the enrollment process at the San Diego Culinary Institute to evaluate prospective students for three things:
• Your ability to complete the program. Show us your passion for the culinary industry. Demonstrate a record of sticking with your pursuits and a drive to succeed.
• Your drive for success. We as a school are only as good as the performance of our graduates. Show us your drive to succeed. Describe for us how you will become a star in this industry.
• Your seriousness of purpose. To succeed in our industry and to become a star among talented Chefs requires a seriousness of purpose.
We require our applicants to dress in a businesslike manner whenever they visit the campus and to schedule all appointments with our Admissions Advisors. This is a professional pursuit and we expect our applicants to treat it with the seriousness they would treat any job interview: in many respects, your application to study at our institution is a job interview. It is your first step on the road to a new profession. Our most successful applicants approach the process with this in mind.
Required Documents and Procedures
1. Campus Tour & Interview with Admissions Advisor2. SDCI Enrollment Application and $75 Application Fee
3. Class Sit-in
• Sit in and observe one of our kitchen lab classes, interact with the Chef Instructor,
students, and Staff, and acquaint yourself with school. By appointment only.
4. Tuition Payment Arrangements
In addition to your enrollment application, we ask you to submit the following documents:
Statement of Purpose
Prepare an essay of 500 to 600 words in answer to a list of questions we have designed to evaluate your passion and purpose in the culinary industry. You will receive a list of the questions you must answer in your enrollment package.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation. They must come from people other than family members that can recommend your work. You will receive a list of other requirements for these letters in your enrollment package.
Resume
Your resume demonstrates your professional attitude and, again: your application for study at SDCI is much like a job interview.
We do not require our applicants to show that they have worked in the industry before coming to SDCI. In fact, most of our applicants wish to change from their current career to pursue the culinary arts. Many applicants come to us with years of experience as cooks and wish to move up the ladder (many of them have done so once they graduate from our program).
High School Diploma/GED or College Transcripts
You must demonstrate that you have graduated from high school or performed the equivalent by attending college or passing the GED.
Entrance Exam
This is a simple test of your skills in math and English. Any high school graduate should find it rather easy.
Admissions Interview
You will sit for a short interview with one of our Chefs, most likely the Program Director. This is as much your chance to interview us about the program as it is our opportunity to learn more about you.