CAREERS THROUGH CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM (C-CAP) COOKING COMPETITION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Application and Instructions

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1 CAREERS THROUGH CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM (C-CAP) COOKING COMPETITION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Application and Instructions Congratulations on your decision to apply to the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships! The C-CAP Competition has helped thousands of students like you achieve their post-secondary and career goals. Last year, C-CAP awarded nearly 200 scholarships, valued at over $2.8 million, to high school students across the country! The competition application is the first step towards consideration for a C-CAP scholarship. Read the application instructions and follow the directions very carefully. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted. If you have questions about the C-CAP competition, please contact your culinary instructor and/or your local C-CAP Program Coordinator. Good luck!

2 COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements in order to compete in the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships: Applicant must currently attend a C-CAP approved public high school or after school program Senior applicants must have taken one (1) culinary course at the C-CAP approved high school or after school program (includes the course you are currently enrolled in), two (2) courses is preferred Junior applicants must currently be enrolled in a culinary course Applicant must be a Junior or Senior in high school, or must be currently enrolled in a GED program, or must have passed the GED test All GED applicants must have their GED scores on or before the date of the final competition Applicant must be 21 years old or younger COMPETITION AND SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW The competition application is the first step towards consideration for a C-CAP scholarship. You must be selected to compete in the Preliminary Competition and the Final Competition in order to be eligible for a scholarship from C-CAP. C-CAP scholarships can ONLY be used towards culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism post-secondary educations. For select scholarships, further restrictions may apply. An up-to-date list of C-CAP scholarships, eligibility requirements, and restrictions can be found on the C-CAP website at Scholarship matches are determined after the Final Competition based on a variety of criteria such as: Applicant s performance in the preliminary and final competitions C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships Application Cumulative high school GPA Scholarship eligibility requirements (for select scholarships as determined by the donor) Applicant s participation in C-CAP activities Applicant s work history Final competition interview Applicant s preferences (Please note: Based on the above criteria, C-CAP may find you best suited for a scholarship to a school not listed as one of your preferences) Need (as determined by the FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Only applicants that submit complete application packets will be considered for the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships. Each competition packet must include: 1. C-CAP Competition Application Check List Competition Application Form - three (3) pages total 3. Personal Essay and Drafts 4. High School Transcript 5. Two (2) Letters of Recommendations and Recommendation Forms four (4) documents total 6. Media Release Form Senior Competitors additional requirements 7. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) All senior C-CAP competitors are required to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, Senior Competitors are required to submit a copy of their Student Aid Reports (SAR) to C-CAP on or before the final competition. Special circumstances must be brought to the attention of the local C-CAP Program Coordinator as soon as possible. **Please Note: Applicants chosen to compete in the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships will be required to complete additional forms and paperwork in order to reserve their spots in the competition.

3 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Please read the step-by-step instructions on the following pages to help you complete the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships application. Should you be selected to compete and win, your responses to the questions asked in the application will help C-CAP determine which scholarship is the most appropriate match for you. Therefore, please complete the application with honesty and accuracy. Overall Guidelines Read the instructions carefully Write legibly Complete each section clearly and accurately Check the entire application for spelling and grammar errors If you make a mistake, use white out or start over with a new application Check your responses for accuracy Check that all of your documents are complete and included in your packet Make two (2) complete copies of your entire packet. Send one copy to C-CAP and keep one copy for your records Staple your documents together when you re finished. Do not submit your application packets in a folder, binder, or cover Personal Data Please enter the following information: Last Name, First Name, Middle Name Birth Date required information to verify your age Social Security Number require; if you do not have one, please write None Gender please indicate male or female Citizenship required; if you are not a U.S. citizen, check Non-Resident Ethnicity optional, check all that apply Current Mailing Address where we can send you mail Current Phone Numbers where we can reach you Current Address Please use a professional address, example: address for John Smith: jsmith09@yahoo.com. If you do not have an address or if your address is unprofessional, you can get a new one for free from most major Internet sites, such as Yahoo, Hotmail, Google and Lycos. An address is recommended but not required. Academics Please enter the following information: Current High School please also include the after school program you take culinary courses at if it is different from your high school Grade Level the year of high school you are currently in; if your are a GED student, and you are not currently in school, write GED Expected Graduate Date the date you plan to graduate from high school Number of Culinary Courses Taken include the culinary course you are currently enrolled in Current Culinary Teacher s Name this information is required to verify you are a student in a C-CAP school Cumulative GPA Your GPA from 9th grade to the present. This number can be found on your high school transcript and can also be obtained from your high school guidance counselor. SAT or ACT Scores enter your scores for either the SAT or the ACT

4 Professional Work Experience Please list all paid and unpaid jobs you have held during the past three years. Please only list professional work experience in a place of business. Attaching a resume to your application is highly encouraged but not required. Professional work experience includes: Paid or unpaid work at a professional place of business Examples include hotel, restaurant, grocery store, etc. Professional work experience does NOT include: School cafes Volunteer experience Babysitting **Note: these should be listed in the Activities section Please enter the following information: Place of Employment and Supervisor s Name the name of the business you worked for and your direct supervisor s name to verify your employment Position/Specific Nature of the Work the position you held and/or a brief description of your duties Approximate Dates the approximate dates of your employment, example: 9/1/08 12/15/08; if you are listing a position you currently hold, enter your start date and write present, example: 9/1/08 - Present Hours per Week the average number of hours your worked per week Family Data Who is considered your parent or guardian? The individual(s) that is legally responsible for you and/or the individual(s) that provide you with financial assistance Includes mother, father, step parents, foster parents, legal guardians, grandparents or other relatives Please enter the following information: With whom do you live please check the most appropriate box Parent/Guardian Last Name, First Name Current Phone Number where we can reach the individual in case of emergency Occupation the position your parent or guardian currently holds at his or her place of employment Name of Employer the name of the business or person your parent or guardian works for College Background please indicate whether your parent/guardian attended and/or graduated from college. This is to alert C-CAP if you are the first in your family to attend post-secondary school. Siblings please indicate how many siblings you live with and how many siblings are currently enrolled in college. This is to alert C-CAP if you are the first in your family to attend post-secondary school. Activities Please list your principal extracurricular, community, volunteer and family activities in the order of interest to you. These include school cafes, informal jobs (such as babysitting), sports, hobbies, musical instruments, volunteer activities, etc. Grade Level the year of high school your were in when you participated in this activity Activity/Brief Description the name of the activity and/or the organization your participated with and a brief description Approximate Dates the approximate dates of your partcipation, example: 9/1/08 12/15/08; if you are listing a position you currently hold, enter your start date and write present, example: 9/1/08 - Present

5 What is a post-secondary school? A post-secondary school is a school that provides education after high school. This can include a college, university, or vocational education and training school. Post-Secondary Schools Please list the top four post-secondary schools you plan to apply to in order of preference. You must include one community college. Indicate the major or program and the degree you will apply for. Please note that C-CAP scholarships can only be used towards culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism programs. Post-Secondary School enter the full name of the post-secondary school Major/Program of Study enter the major or program of study you plan to pursue (i.e. Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, etc) Degree please check the degree you will pursue Status please check the status of your application Post-Secondary Characteristics C-CAP encourages our applicants to compare and contrast their post-secondary options based on a variety of criteria. To assist you with your research and decision-making, we have provided a list of post-secondary characteristics and their types. Please check the boxes that best identify your preferences for each characteristic. Please answer the follow-up questions in the space provided. Be sure to answer honestly and accurately and to write legibly. Personal Essay The personal essay helps us become acquainted with who you are as a person and a student, apart from grades, test scores, and work history. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. Please carefully read the essay prompt provided in the application. Write a clear, creative essay answering each of the topics listed. Requirements and guidelines have been provided below and in the application to assist you. Essay requirements Two copies of the essay Copies of drafts 350 words or more Typewritten on white, unlined paper First name, last name and the date on each page of the essay What C-CAP is looking for: The applicant s story in his or her own words The essay addresses each of the questions and topics listed above Clear and effective communication of ideas No spelling or grammar errors Creativity Applicant uses specific examples from life experience to support his or her ideas Writing Tips Take some time (a day or more) to think about your essay topic. When you sit down to write, first jot down the most important ideas and details you want to include in your essay. Write them on a separate sheet of scratch paper, so you can refer to them while you write. When you ve finished your essay, it should follow this format: Introduction of yourself and your main ideas Discussion of your main ideas and details Conclusion that ties it all together

6 Letters of Recommendation Each applicant must submit two letters of recommendation. A letter of recommendation form must be included with each letter of recommendation. Both letters of recommendation and forms must be attached to your C-CAP application upon submission. Your letters of recommendation must be typewritten on letterhead by: 1. Teacher A teacher who can write about your technical (culinary) skills and/or performance as a student - i.e. culinary instructor, teacher, high school guidance counselor 2. Applicant s choice A person who can write about your technical (culinary) skills, work ethic and your character/personality Letters of recommendation will be accepted from the following: Employer (current or previous) High school guidance counselor High school teacher Career counselor/advisor Mentor Religious advisor (your priest, rabbi, etc.) Community leader or organization Culinary instructor (other than your high school teacher) Letters of recommendation will NOT be accepted from the following: Parent/Guardian Friend Relative (including, but not limited to: brothers/sisters, cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc.) Your local C-CAP Coordinator Media Release Forms The Media Release Form tells C-CAP whether or not we have your permission to post your image on the C-CAP website and in print materials as well as share your image with the media such as newspapers, magazines, and television news. Student s Name your first and last name Have your parent or guardian check off the yes or no box Parent/Guardian Signature your parent or guardian s signature; if the applicant is 18 years or older, s/he may sign the form Parent/Guardian Name first name and last name of the parent or guardian that signed the form Date Signed the date the form was signed High School Transcript Please attach a copy of your most recent high school transcript to your C-CAP application. You can obtain your transcript from your high school guidance counselor. Official and unofficial copies are acceptable and your transcript may be more than one page. Your transcript should include all grades received from ninth grade to the present year as well as your cumulative GPA. If you are a GED student, you need to submit a high school transcript up until the time you left school and your GED score. If you have not yet taken your GED, please inform your local C-CAP Program Coordinator. You must have taken your GED and shared your results with C-CAP no later than the final competition. Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) All senior C-CAP competitors are required to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, The application and instructions will be made available on January 1, 2010 on the FAFSA website at It is highly recommended that applicants apply for the FAFSA online. For questions about the FAFSA or for assistance, please contact your high school guidance counselor, your culinary instructor or your local C-CAP Program Coordinator. After submitting the FAFSA to the Department of Education, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) by mail or within 3-5 weeks of your submission. Senior competitors are required to submit a copy of their Student Aid Report (SAR) to C-CAP on or before the final competition. Special circumstances must be brought to the attention of the C-CAP Coordinator and College Advisor prior to the preliminary competition or as soon as possible.

7 C-CAP COMPETITION APPLICATION CHECKLIST In order to apply for entry into the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships, you must submit the documents listed below. This checklist must be signed and dated by the applicant, his or her parent/guardian, and the applicant s current culinary teacher. Please note: late, incomplete, or unsigned applications will NOT be accepted. Contact your C-CAP Program Coordinator immediately before the deadline if you are unable to obtain any of the documents listed below. Applicant Name Application Deadline Please submit one original C-CAP application packet to the C-CAP NY coordinator on or before the due date. Keep one copy of the application for your records. Please do not submit your application in binders, folders, or covers. Each packet MUST include the documents listed below. C-CAP Competition Application Checklist Competition Application Form (three pages) Personal Essay AND one or more drafts Letters of Recommendations One (1) form and letter of recommendation from a teacher One (1) form and letter of recommendation from the applicant s choice Media Release Form High School Transcript By signing this checklist I am stating that all documents included in this application are my original work and/or were completed by the individuals requested per the application instructions. All signatures, letters of recommendation, and transcripts are authentic. The application is complete and accurate and all required documents listed above are included. Applicant Signature Date By signing this checklist I am stating that, to the best of my knowledge, all documents included in this application are the original work of the applicant and/or were completed by the individuals requested per the application instructions. The application is complete and accurate and all required documents are included. Parent/Guardian Signature Date Culinary Instructor Signature Date

8 FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY C-CAP COMPETITION APPLICATION PERSONAL DATA Last Name First Name Middle Birth Date mm/dd/yyyy Social Security Number Gender Male Female Citizenship U.S. citizen U.S. Permanent Resident Visa Non-Resident Other Ethnicity Please select one or more of the following that best describes you. American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White Other Please check here if you prefer not to respond Address Home Address Number and Street Apt # City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone ACADEMICS High School Year in School Number Culinary Courses Taken Expected Graduation Date Culinary Instructor mm/dd/yyyy (current semester or year) Cumulative GPA SAT or ACT Scores Reading English/Writing Math Science PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE Please list all paid and unpaid jobs you have held during the past three years. Please only list professional work experience in a place of business. Informal work experience (i.e. school cafes, volunteering, babysitting, etc.) should be included under the Activities section on the following page. Attaching a resume to your application is highly encouraged but not required. Place of Employment and Supervisor s Name Position/Specific Nature of Work Approximate Dates Hours per Week

9 Household FAMILY DATA With whom do you live? Parent 1 Parent 2 Both Legal Guardian Other Parent/Guardian 1 Parent/Guardian 2 Last Name First Name Last Name First Name Home Phone Home Phone Relationship to applicant Relationship to applicant Occupation Occupation Name of Employer Name of Employer College Background Attended some college Did not attend college Graduated college College Background Attended some college Did not attend college Graduated college Siblings How many siblings live in the household? How many siblings are currently enrolled in college? ACTIVITIES Please list your principal extracurricular, community, volunteer and family activities in the order of interest to you. These include school cafes, informal jobs (such as babysitting), sports, hobbies, musical instruments, volunteer activities, etc. Grade Level Activity/ Brief Description Approximate Dates POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS Please list the top four post-secondary schools you plan to apply to in order of preference. You must include one community college. Indicate the major or program and the degree you will apply for. Please note that the C-CAP scholarships can only be used towards culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism programs. Post-Secondary School Major/ Program of Study Degree Status Bachelors Associates Certificate/Diploma Bachelors Associates Certificate/Diploma Bachelors Associates Certificate/Diploma Bachelors Associates Certificate/Diploma Plan to apply Already applied Accepted Plan to apply Already applied Accepted Plan to apply Already applied Accepted Plan to apply Already applied Accepted

10 POST-SECONDARY CHARACTERISTICS Below are several characteristics of post-secondary programs that we encourage our competitors to consider when they are researching their college options. Please read the characteristics and their definitions. Check the boxes that best identify your preferences. If you don t have a preference, please check no preference. Characteristic Definition Type / Preference Cost of Attendance Major The total cost of attending school EACH YEAR. Includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies (Check all that apply) The program of study you are interested in (Check all that apply) $1,500 9,999 $20,000 29,999 $10,000 19,999 $30,000+ No Preference Culinary Arts Baking and Pastry Arts Hospitality Management Other Type of Curriculum The way classes and the coursework are taught Mostly hands-on Mostly lectures, reading, and writing Combination No Preference Length of Program Length of the program from start date to graduation 6 months 1 yr 4 yrs 2 yrs No preference Campus Demographics Distance from Home How diverse the student population is Very diverse Somewhat diverse Not diverse No preference How far away the school is from home Local In state Out of state No Preference Type of Area The setting in which the campus is located Urban Suburban Rural No preference Study Abroad An academic program that allows students to study and/or work in another country Available No preference Externship/ Internships A paid or unpaid work requirement usually for a certain number of hours Available No preference Extracurricular Activities Culinary competition teams, sports teams, and student organizations are available on campus Available No preference Other Please choose the three characteristics from the list above that are most important to you in order of importance

11 PERSONAL ESSAY The personal essay helps us become acquainted with who you are as a person and a student, apart from grades, test scores, and work history. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. Please carefully read the essay prompt. Write a clear, creative essay answering each of the topics below. Requirements and guidelines have been provided to assist you. Discuss how a negative experience (disability, illness, personal challenge, or failure) has had a positive influence on your life. Your essay should include the following: A description of the negative experience A description of the impact it had on you An explanation of how it had a positive influence on you What you learned from the experience Specific examples of how you applied what you learned from this experience to real-life scenarios An explanation of how you can apply what you learned from this experience to your upcoming college experience Essay requirements Two copies of the essay Copies of drafts 350 words or more Typewritten on white, unlined paper First name, last name and the date on each page of the essay A Good C-CAP Essay Will 1. Answer each of the topics listed above The essay prompt lists several requirements. Be sure that your essay touches upon each question and topic listed in the prompt. 2. Tell us your story You can distinguish yourself through your story; your story is unique. Tell us what makes you, you. This is your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process, to let us know who you are, where you ve been and where you re going. 3. Be specific Give specific examples from your life to support your arguments. 4. Begin with a strong opening paragraph The opening paragraph is very important. It will grab the reader's attention or lose it. Concentrate on writing a strong introduction. If writing is not your strength, ask an English teacher to help you. 5. Have few to no spelling or grammar errors Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Have an English teacher in your school help you proofread. Spell check does not catch everything.

12 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION A recommendation letter is a written reference that offers information about your character, personality and work ethic. A letter of recommendation helps us to get to know you better through someone who has worked with you in a professional, personal or academic setting. Each applicant must submit two typewritten letters of recommendation on letterhead. A letter of recommendation form must be included with each letter of recommendation. Both letters of recommendation and forms (see next two pages of application) must be attached to your C-CAP application upon submission. Your letter of recommendations must be typewritten on letterhead by: 1. Teacher A teacher that can write about your technical (culinary) skills and/or performance as a student - i.e. culinary instructor, teacher, high school guidance counselor 2. Applicant s choice A person that can write about your technical (culinary) skills, work ethic and your character/personality i.e. employer, mentor, religious advisor, high school guidance counselor, career counselor. Letters of recommendation will NOT be accepted from the following individuals: Parent/Guardian Friend Relative (including, but not limited to: brothers/sisters, cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc.) Your local C-CAP Coordinator GUIDELINES FOR RECOMMENDATIONS Whom to ask Ask someone who is reliable and will write positive things about you. Consider their spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing skills. Ask someone who is familiar with you and knows you well enough to include personal anecdotes in the letter. How and when to ask If possible, ask in person so you can hand deliver the form and if they have questions you can answer them right away. Explain what the recommendation is for and explain why you have chosen him or her to write it. Be sure to give your recommenders at least two weeks to write the recommendation and return it to you. Give them a specific due date that it should be back in your hands. Additional suggestions Often recommenders don t know what to say in a recommendation. It s ok to offer suggestions, such as I loved working at the school cafe and I learned so much! I was especially excited to assist with menu planning. Can you talk about that in your recommendation? Remind them that specific examples are always best. It s great to say a student is hard working but it s even better to demonstrate that quality through an example.

13 LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FORM 1 FROM A TEACHER The C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships is an opportunity for motivated public high school students who wish to pursue a career in the culinary or hospitality-related field to earn scholarships for post-secondary hospitality programs. C-CAP provides awards and scholarships ranging from $500 to full-tuition and assists and advises students through the transition from high school to college and the industry. Participants compete in a timed cooking competition that tests their abilities to memorize and follow recipes, work under pressure, and display proper knife skills, basic culinary techniques, and safety and sanitation. Award results are based on the participant s performance at competition, essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and participation in C-CAP activities. Your Name Your Occupation Your Title What is your relationship to the applicant? How long have you known the applicant? Phone Number Signature Address Date Please provide a typewritten letter of recommendation (preferably on letterhead) that gives a description of the student as a motivated individual who plans to attend a post-secondary institution. GUIDELINES FOR RECOMMENDATION The following are guidelines to help you prepare a letter of recommendation on behalf of a student applying for the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships: Be specific. Give specific stories or anecdotes about things the person did to give you your impression. Describe the student s academic performance (if applicable) and intellectual promise. Provide an assessment of the student s personal characteristics, such as motivation, maturity, integrity, independence, originality, initiative, leadership potential, capacity for growth, and enthusiasm. Tell us about the student s work ethic, attitude, and quality of work. Tell us about your perception of the student s passion for food and desire for a career in the foodservice and hospitality industry. Include any other information (such as special talents) that will help the C-CAP staff to differentiate him or her from other students. Please return this form and your letter of recommendation to the student by. Page 6

14 LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FORM 2 STUDENT S CHOICE The C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships is an opportunity for motivated public high school students who wish to pursue a career in the culinary or hospitality-related field to earn scholarships for post-secondary hospitality programs. C-CAP provides awards and scholarships ranging from $500 to full-tuition and assists and advises students through the transition from high school to college and the industry. Participants compete in a timed cooking competition that tests their abilities to memorize and follow recipes, work under pressure, and display proper knife skills, basic culinary techniques, and safety and sanitation. Award results are based on the participant s performance at competition, essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and participation in C-CAP activities. Your Name Your Occupation Your Title What is your relationship to the applicant? How long have you known the applicant? Phone Number Signature Address Date Please provide a typewritten letter of recommendation (preferably on letterhead) that gives a description of the student as a motivated individual who plans to attend a post-secondary institution. GUIDELINES FOR RECOMMENDATION The following are guidelines to help you prepare a letter of recommendation on behalf of a student applying for the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships: Be specific. Give specific stories or anecdotes about things the person did to give you your impression. Describe the student s academic performance (if applicable) and intellectual promise. Provide an assessment of the student s personal characteristics, such as motivation, maturity, integrity, independence, originality, initiative, leadership potential, capacity for growth, and enthusiasm. Tell us about the student s work ethic, attitude, and quality of work. Tell us about your perception of the student s passion for food and desire for a career in the foodservice and hospitality industry. Include any other information (such as special talents) that will help the C-CAP staff to differentiate him or her from other students. Please return this form and your letter of recommendation to the student by. Page 7

15 STUDENT MEDIA RELEASE STUDENT S NAME (Please Print) I hereby give absolute and irrevocable permission to C-CAP to make the information contained in the C-CAP student profile form, student essay, as well as the name, voice, and/ or likeness of the student named above, available to the media for the purposes of publicizing and promoting C-CAP programs. I understand that this information, and any photos or video or other recordings taken by C-CAP or the media, or portions thereof, may appear in various media which may include, but is not limited to, print, internet, other digital media, television, and/or cable. I further understand that participation is voluntary and without compensation. I hereby release C-CAP, the schools at which events are held, photographers, videographers and interviewers from any future claims, as well as from any liability arising from the use of said information, photography and/or videography. YES I give permission to C-CAP as explained above. NO I do NOT give permission. PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE (or student signature, if over 18) PRINTED PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME DATE SIGNED Page 8