Culinary School, Questions for current students?

I would like some advice from students currently enrolled in culinary arts programs. I want to be a chef, go to culinary arts school. I have applied to several, but am having a difficult time getting in. My only kitchen experience is in a college cafeteria kitchen, which is obviously far from gourmet cooking, but I thought it would still count for something. If you are currently in culinary school, what experience did you have before enrolling? Most schools are telling me I need more kitchen experience, which I kind of understand, but it is also frustrating me. Like I said I know college cafeteria cooking is certainly nothing like real, gourmet cooking, but it has taught me somethings. We serve 2000 people a day, therefore things like my knife skills and organizational skills have improved vastly. It just frustrates me, because I thought culinary school was supposed to teach me, not my prior work experience. Advice? Should I work at a restaurant for a while, then reapply?

Public Comments

1. apply in india then! will be cheaper too. and make u a curry king
2. Johnson and Wales(Providence , RI) is a 4 year school and has culinary arts. I don't know if you applied there. They have a few more branches around the country. I don't know if they have both a 2 and 4 year program. I think you get as assoc or bach degree with it. A lot of kids in this part of the country go there, Since it is not strictly cooking, they may be a tad less picky on prior experience. Also check into community colleges. You might need something like either of the above to get your foot in the door. Best of Luck!