Neci Puts Careers On The Fastrack With Scholarships

Advanced Placement Program Shatters Glass Ceiling for Culinary Professionals

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), the award-winning school with campuses in Montpelier and Essex, Vermont, is offering multiple scholarships, allowing industry professionals to take their careers to the next level by enrolling in NECI's Advanced Placement (AP) Program for the March 2006 term. NECI's AP Program provides students the opportunity to fast track their way to a prestigious, industry-recognized Associate's Degree in the culinary arts. In this challenging program, degree requirements can be completed in less than one year, and those who register this spring are eligible to receive scholarships covering up to 50% of tuition costs.

"In today's competitive foodservice industry, without a degree, even the most talented chef can only go so far," says David Hale, executive chef at NECI's Montpelier campus and alum of the AP program. "I went from cooking at a mid-level country club to being executive chef of a Relais and Chateaux hotel in less then three years. Such quick career growth would not have been possible without my NECI Advanced Placement experience."

NECI's AP program assesses students individually to identify gaps in skills and knowledge, ensuring that each graduate is prepared to succeed as an industry leader. Integration in classes allows students to share challenges, discuss aspirations and collaborate with fellow students. Designed for those looking for an intense and academically challenging learning environment, the program fully immerses students in hands-on training with talented and devoted chef instructors.

"There are 10,000 excellent line cooks in Manhattan alone, but very few of them will be tapped for advancement without a formal education and a professional demeanor," says Hale. "NECI provides these critical components, and its AP scholarships put this intense, yet quick, career advancement within reach for many students."

To qualify for the AP program, students are required to have three years of prior industry experience, including some in fine dining. Those interested in receiving scholarships for NECI's AP program must enroll for the March 2006 term. Visit http://www.neci.edu/advanced_placement.html for more information.

All prospective students are invited to attend this spring's Regional Information Sessions for a chance to learn about the school's unique "learn-it-by-living-it" teaching approach from faculty and a panel of current students. Hosted by NECI graduates, instructors and regional recruiters, these sessions are an inspiration to absolutely anyone considering a culinary education. The events will offer ideas on how people can turn their passions into professions, and students and alumni will be available for first-hand feedback on their own NECI experiences.

New England Culinary Institute Spring Regional Information Session Schedule

Glastonbury, Connecticut
Sunday, February 26, 2006
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn

Nashua, New Hampshire
Sunday, March 5, 2006
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sheraton Hotel

Syracuse, New York
Sunday, March 26, 2006
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sheraton Hotel

Portland, Maine
Sunday, April 2, 2006
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn

Woburn, Massachusetts
Sunday, April 9, 2006
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn

Montpelier, Vermont (On-campus Open House)
Sunday, April 23, 2006
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Atlantic City, New Jersey
Sunday, May 7, 2006
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sheraton Hotel

The events are free, though reservations are required. To RSVP, call 877.223.6324 or email admissions@neci.edu.

About New England Culinary Institute
New England Culinary Institute (NECI) was founded in 1980 with a unique educational model featuri