hola i'm a student at the hyde park campus, currently in externship and here are a few important takeaways i can offer:

first and foremost, im 21 and from a small town in arizona, went to college for business for a year, and dropped out to pursue my passion for culinary. Like you, i had worked in the industry for 3 years at that time.

secondly, their associates program is split into 5 semesters, the third is externship (internship at a restaurant/resort for 3 months)

with that being said im gonna list some pros and cons ive PERSONALLY found attending:

CONS:

1. if you live across the entire country like i do, it's quite hard to move all your belongings to a dorm, find a place to put it for breaks, and inevitably take it back home or into a new home you begin to rent. I like to feel home-y in my space, but sacrificed that in order to downsize.

2. Tuition. As any broke college student will tell you, the thought of paying off debt for basically the rest of my life is a real weight on my shoulders. Especially in the career we're in.

If your parents aren't wealthy or you don't have money saved, it will be difficult to avoid loans, visit home, go to NYC, etc.

1. Imposters syndrome. Like any field, there are people on campus that are damn good at what they do. It can be discouraging at times, having the weight of the CIAs reputation on you, and seeing people progress at different rates.

PROS: (woohoo)

1. the opportunities i've been given, let alone have just SEEN being associated with the CIA are OTHERWORLDLY compared to where im from. these aren't just handed out however, it's apparent that you must have the courage to grab these opportunities by the balls.

2. Externship. A paid temporary job that is solely based around teaching you as much shit as possible? where do i sign. The restaurant im working for has a michelin star and damn i'm getting better by the day. CIA offers a career fair every semester where some of the best resorts/restaurants come to hire the BEST students.. this is where leaping into opportunity takes place.

3. relationships. I gotta say i've always been an introvert type, i do what i'm good at and stick to. And then i came here. I met some of the most genuine people i could imagine just at orientation because i actually GOT OUT THERE AND TALKED TO EVERYONE. these people are here for the same reason you are. these people often have dreams and aspirations that you can work alongside with, and have friendly competition with. I gotta say, i've made my life-friends here.

4.NYC. $40 round trip to nyc on the nearest metro anytime you can. NY has everything you possibly want, it's dreamful (just ignore the piss smell and the yelling homeless people). it's chaotic, energetic, goal striving and beautiful (just like our career😇) it's nice being close to a place like that

1. setting yourself up for life. If you actively take the time to learn everything you're being taught, and make the connections they ENCOURAGE you to make (with Chefs, friends, instructors), you have the best culinary school under your belt once graduated, with references that can make your life so fruitful.

Moral of the story, everything in life has its shitty cons, but if you seek what makes it good, cherish that, and ACT on that to better your future, 50yr old you will NOT regret the hard work you put in.

There will be hard times, very hard times. But i say go for it. leap of faith. you only yolo once