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Contrasting Culinary Institutes
By now you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you want to attain, and if you would like to enroll in a private or a public college. Since there a large number of cooking programs in the Jonesboro area and within the USA, you must create a checklist of important qualifiers so that you can begin narrowing your options. Some obvious qualifications, including cost and location are a good place to start. But deciding on a school because it is the nearest or the cheapest is not the optimal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other criteria, including reputation and accreditation that you need to assess as well. Therefore, below are some critical areas that you should investigate for each school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate selection.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the cooking program you choose has some type of accreditation from either a regional or a national agency. As aforementioned, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged agency, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a thorough review pertaining to their curriculum, instructors and facilities. So not only does accreditation help establish that you will receive quality training, but it can also help in acquiring a student loan or financial assistance which are generally not accessible for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools often have the advantage of having modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been operating long enough to acquire an accreditation or to establish a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of success and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has operated, the more alumni the school can solicit for its job assistance program. Certainly there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more reputable schools typically update their equipment and facilities. The significant lesson is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an excellent reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts programs you are assessing. Low graduation rates are indications that many students were unhappy with either the schools or the programs and quit before graduating. They can also suggest that the teachers were not competent to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to supply their job placement rates also. If a school has a higher job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a great or outstanding reputation within the culinary community, as well as a broad network of professional contacts. Be suspicious of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The culinary institute that you enroll in must be within driving distance of your Jonesboro residence, unless you are willing to relocate. You may look into attending college online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. Alternatively, perhaps you have decided to attend a particular culinary school located in a different state because of its reputation and programs offered. It would be a wise decision to pay a visit to the campus before enrolling, to make sure that you are comfortable with the area and your potential living conditions. Tour the training facilities in person to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Remember also that many schools concentrate their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The most effective approach to learn how to cook is with lots of one-on-one training. If the cooking college you enroll in has large classes, you will most likely get limited individual attention from the instructors. The best way to assess the interaction between instructors and students is to sit in on some of the classes. Ask some of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are pleased with the level of attention they receive in class as well as the overall training. Also, speak with some of the teachers and find out what their teaching styles are along with their experiences and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a cooking institute if you will not be able to attend the classes. Therefore make certain that the school you decide on offers class scheduling that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on weekends near Jonesboro AR because of your work schedule, make certain that the school you choose offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend part-time, confirm that the cooking college has a part-time option. Also, find out what the make-up protocol is if you have to miss a class because of work, family or other commitments.
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