ICE students in the kitchen at the Institute of Culinary Education Los Angeles campus

High School Graduates

You’ve Just Graduated ... Now What?

Everyone knows about your love for the kitchen, the feeling of satisfaction and confidence you get when cooking. Your future seems closer than it did even a month ago and you're eager to turn that passion into a creative career in the culinary arts. But how do you make that a reality?

We know you have questions.

Is it worth the time and expense to go to a "traditional" college vs. culinary school? How will you get a job? Is it necessary to go to school or should you just look for a job in a kitchen? Well, you've come to the right place. We've answered these questions for thousands of talented amd creative high school graduates like you.

Scholarships

ICE offers special scholarships for high school seniors. Up to 15 scholarships worth a maximum of $5000 each will be awarded to current high school seniors. You could be one of them!

Why choose ICE?

Culinary school students taste and share the dishes they learned to prepare in class that day at ICE

An Education Tailored to Fit Your Interests

Our mission is to help you find your culinary voice. In as little as seven months, you will be taught the key skills that form the foundation of a good culinary education, and you'll also tap into your own creativity and passion for food. This process includes an externship at a restaurant or food organization that fits your personal interests and ambitions, followed by job placement assistance from our award-winning career services team.

An ICE pastry arts student decorates a cake with a brush

No Experience Is Necessary

ICE’s on-campus and online career training programs are hands-on, and a large number of our students have not worked in the industry before. We have a variety of programs to choose from so that you're only studying what interests you. You can finish your diploma and start on the road to a successful career in a matter of months.

ICE Restaurant & Culinary Management instructor chatting and laughing with students

Get the Best of Both Worlds with an Associate Degree

Want to get started in a kitchen right away, but feel like you need a traditional degree? ICE's LA Campus now offers three associate degree programs: Culinary Arts Associate Degree, Pastry & Baking Associate Degree and Plant-Based Culinary Arts Associate Degree. These hybrid programs feature a combination of: 

  • Hands-on training in our professionally-equipped teaching kitchens
  • Management classes where experienced instructors will teach you how to develop a profitable business plan and manage a kitchen or food business
  • Hospitality-focused general education classes, taken online, to round out your degree

Award-Winning Education in as Little as Seven Months

ICE is unique in that we don’t have semesters, application deadlines or a six-month decision process. All of our programs have rolling start dates throughout the year, allowing you to get into the kitchen classroom — and start your career — faster. You might even be able to start right after graduation.

Come take a tour of ICE, or attend one of our Open Houses. While you're here, you can speak with the Financial Aid office about your options for financing an ICE education. Financial Aid is available to all who qualify at ICE. It's an investment in your future, but you can learn about how to make it easier while you're visiting.

Once you're a high school graduate, the only paperwork you need to supply is a copy of your high school diploma or official transcript. It’s that easy.

ICE students and chefs taste a dish

So What’s Next?

Experiencing the school first-hand is the best way to get to know ICE. Meet with our staff to discuss your career goals, take a tour, meet a few of our chef-instructors and learn about housing options near our NY and LA campuses. ICE's Student Housing coordinator can help you find safe, comfortable and convenient housing in some of the city's most exciting communities, without the hassle of negotiating rent or securing a roommate. We have options for every budget from dorms to co-living to apartments, depending on what’s best for you.

While you’re on campus, you can even schedule a time to sit in on an actual class and get a peek at day-to-day life as an ICE student. Students interested in our online programs, can also audit a class at their convenience.

Don’t be shy — these experiences are free of charge and designed to help you make an informed decision. Bring along your friends and family: they helped you celebrate your high school graduation so invite them to see where you're headed next. They’ll see why more than 17,900 people like you chose to begin their culinary careers at ICE.