ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS CANADIANS
Admission to the Stratford Chefs School is based on several factors, the application form and supporting documents being one part of the process. In addition to the application, there is a personal interview, at which time you will be required to present government issued photo identification and your social insurance card.
Applicants are evaluated on their professional and personal goals, education background and academic abilities, work experience, personal achievements, communication skills and maturity. As an industry-focused program, we expect that incoming students have restaurant experience, generally a minimum of 1000 hours. However, should a prospective student lack the requisite experience, there is an option for students who otherwise fulfill all of our other admission requirements.
In the fall, prior to the start of the regular program, the Stratford Chefs School offers an intensive preparatory course geared to students whose work experience would not have them sufficiently prepared for the program. This preparatory course is not meant to replace real world restaurant experience but to augment skills to allow incoming students, whose experience may not be recent or whose experience will not have them prepared, to make the most of the Stratford Chefs School program. Admission to the preparatory course is at the discretion of the admissions staff and will be determined during the admissions process. If you have questions about the course, please contact admissions at 519-271-1414.
A written application, or on-line application, and a personal interview are required in addition to the following supporting documentation:
· A $45 non-refundable application fee (payable by cheque, money order or credit card)
. A copy of a high school transcript (contact your school or school board for more information); if not in English, a translation must be provided. *This is required even if you are still in high school or completed high school in an alternate manner.
· A copy of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or its equivalent, as proof of successful completion of high school, which is a condition of apprenticeship.
· A final report card from the last year of high school (for students who graduated from high school after 2004)
· A resume and cover letter
· Three letters of reference
One from a teacher (focusing in academic abilities)
One from a current employer (focusing on workplace attitude, skills and responsibilities)
One character reference from one not related to you (focusing on overall character and commitment to foodservice and hospitality profession)
· Biographical sketch (750-1000 words) outlining:
Your culinary experience to date
Why you are interested in cooking as a profession
Why you believe the Stratford Chefs School is the right school for your training
What skills you currently have and which skills you feel need to be developed
Where you see yourself at the end of school and five years after graduation