Nolan School Applicants

The Collaborative Degree Program

If I am applying from the Nolan School, how do I get started?
Start planning now.  Students usually apply in their sophomore year but it is never too early to begin planning.  Meet with the Program Director, Emily Franco, to talk over your plans.  This will include evaluating your career goals, considering any concentrations, minors, courses in other Cornell colleges, and outside activities you might want to pursue.  The Program Director will help you create a map of each semester, taking into consideration the time you will be spending at the CIA, the Nolan School electives necessary to complete your CIA degree requirements, and your application deadlines.  Focus on completing your core Nolan School course requirements so you will have the most flexibility in concentration electives when you return.  If you are receiving financial aid, begin planning to apply for additional scholarship opportunities to supplement any aid received from the CIA.  You must notify the Program Director of your application.

The Culinary Immersion Technique and Theory class is the fundamentals intensive for Culinary Arts degree candidates, hosted at the CIA. It is a Cornell dedicated class open to other Cornell students, but it is foundational to your continued CIA Culinary studies.  For all other classes at the CIA, you will be streamed in with current CIA students. For a printable version of your options, see the Collaborative degree program brochure.

Which degree path best fits your long term goals?
Next class: January 2025                          Applications due April 1, 2024
Culinary Arts:
Initial Class
Culinary Immersion Technique and Theory (May 20 to June 7, 2024)
First Semester
Meat & Seafood Identification/Fabrication
Modern Banquet Cookery
Introduction to A La Carte Cookery
High-Volume Production Cooking
Introduction to Gastronomy
Introduction to Food Systems
Nutrition
Food Safety
Second Semester
Baking & Pastry Skill Development
Garde Manger
Cuisines & Cultures of the Americas
Cuisines & Cultures of the Mediterranean
Cuisines & Cultures of Asia
Principles of Menus and Managing Profitability
Baking & Pastry Arts:
First Semester
Baking & Pastry Techniques
Baking Ingredients & Equipment Technology
Introduction to Gastronomy
Nutrition
Principles of Design
Principles of Menus and Managing Profitability
Second Semester
Basic and Classical Cakes
Individual and Production Pastries
Hearth Breads and Rolls
Confectionery Art & Special Occasion Cakes
Chocolate & Confectionary Technology & Technique
Third Semester
Contemporary Cakes & Desserts
Specialty Breads
Advanced Baking Principles
Restaurant & Production Desserts
Restaurant Operation: Baking & Pastry

When will I study on campus at The CIA?
Both culinary and baking students start their studies at The CIA at the beginning of January, during Cornell’s winter intercession.  Culinary students complete their degree requirements by early August, two full semesters at The CIA.  Bakers will complete return to Cornell at the same time as the culinary students but will return to the CIA for their third and final semester in Fall following their Cornell graduation.  Both sets of students will miss the spring semester at Cornell.

Do I need to take special classes to qualify?
Students are required to have successfully completed HADM 1361: Principles of Food & Beverage Operations Management, ServSafe Managers Exam/Independent study, and HADM 2351 Restaurant Management, prior to starting the Collaborative Degree Program.  In addition to the core curriculum, Nolan School students are required to take the following Nolan School elective courses to complete the degree requirement:

How will I be charged Cornell tuition for the time I am at the CIA? What does the program cost?
When you apply to the program, you are applying to be accepted as a student at the CIA. Therefore, as a student at the CIA, you will be responsible for the CIA fees and tuition expenses for the time you are studying there. If you need financial assistance, you will also apply directly to the CIA for financial aid. During the semester you are away from Cornell, you will not incur Cornell tuition.  Culinary students spend two full semesters at The CIA, bakers spend three full semesters.

Cost per Semester:
Application Fee: $50
Tuition: $17,760
Board: $ 2,230
Housing: $ 4,990
Supplies: $ 900
General Fees: $ 860

Total: $26,740

One Time Graduation Fee: $ 300

*Based 2023-2024 fees. Rates are subject to fiscal year increases.

I am a senior, can I participate after graduation?
Special conditions apply to seniors applying to the program.  Seniors are still required to take the necessary Nolan School electives.  Since the Collaborative Degree Program is only offered January to August, May graduates will have a break before entering The CIA.  In addition, once a student has reached the number of required credits for their bachelors degree, they are no longer eligible for certain state and federal financial aid.

I see that there are CIA Immersion and CIA Semester options available to other Cornell students.  Can I participate in one of those options?
Absolutely!  All the terms outlined on the “Other Cornell Applicants” page apply to Nolan School students as well. In addition, for these options only (not for the degree option), Nolan students may apply for the Jeanne Kanders Culinary Institute of America Student Support Fund.  This support fund was established by the Kanders Family, a multi-generational Cornellian family. It is named for Jeanne Kanders, an advocate and ardent supporter of education. The family’s goal in creating this fund is to support students enrolled in the Nolan School of Hotel Administration who wish to deepen their food and beverage experience by pursuing the study of culinary or baking techniques at The Culinary Institute of America.  Support from this fund can cover not only tuition, but housing, board, textbooks, or other areas where you may have need.  If you are interested in applying for any support from this fund, contact the Program Manager for the application dates and the link.

What are the requirements for this program? Do I earn any credits towards my Cornell BS degree from the CIA?
In addition to the Nolan School course requirements above, student are required to be in good standing at Cornell, with a Cornell GPA of 2.0 or better, both cumulative and in the semester prior to departure.  While no experience is necessary, it is helpful to have had some hands on food preparation experience so you know what to expect.  The CIA curriculum is physically and  mentally demanding.  Cornell students participating in the Collaborative Degree Program for Culinary or Baking & Pastry Arts will receive credit towards their Cornell degree:  4-5 credits in ARTS/Distribution electives and 8 credits in free electives.

Should I visit the CIA campus?
Prospective students and visitors are encouraged to experience the CIA firsthand. Admissions Information Sessions (includes informational and tour) for prospective students are available throughout the week when the college is in session. Reservations are required, so please call the Admissions Department at 1-800-CULINARY (285-4627) or 845-451-1068 or register online to schedule your visit.  The general public can schedule tours on Monday-Friday at 4 p.m. and an additional time of Mondays at 10 a.m. when classes are in session. Tours are $6 per person and require reservations. For more information, or to schedule a tour, call 845-451-1588, Mon.–Fri. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Or take a virtual tour.

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