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Comparing Cooking Institutes
At this point you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you want to attain, and whether or not you would like to enroll in a public or private institution. Since there a large number of culinary arts colleges in the Hudson area and within the United States, you will want to develop a checklist of essential qualifiers so that you can begin narrowing your options. Certain obvious qualifications, for example location and cost are an excellent place to begin. But choosing a school because it is the nearest or the cheapest is not the best way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other variables, for instance reputation and accreditation that you need to review as well. Therefore, following are some critical areas that you must investigate for every school as you compare them and make your ultimate decision.
Accreditation. It's important that the culinary arts institute you select has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national agency. As aforementioned, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education certified authority, such as the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a thorough assessment regarding their course of study, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive quality training, but it can also help in securing a student loan or financial assistance which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools frequently have the benefit of possessing modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been operating long enough to earn an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. On the other hand, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of success and obtained one or more accreditations.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 placement program. Obviously there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary arts schools. And older, more highly regarded schools typically modernize their equipment and facilities. The valuable lesson is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an exceptional reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts schools you are assessing. Low graduation rates are indications that numerous students were dissatisfied with either the schools or the courses and quit before graduating. They can also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to teach the course of study. Ask the schools to provide their job placement rates as well. If a college has a high job placement rate, it will help confirm that it has a great or exceptional reputation within the culinary field, as well as a broad network of professional contacts. Be suspicious of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary college that you attend must be within commuting distance of your Hudson residence, unless you are willing to relocate. You may look into attending school online, but you would still have to travel for your externship training. Alternatively, maybe you have decided to go to a particular culinary institute located in a different state due to its reputation and programs offered. It would be a wise decision to visit the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the location and your prospective living conditions. Tour the training facilities in person to make sure they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Consider also that a number of schools concentrate their job assistance programs within their local communities, so choose a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective method to learn how to cook is with plenty of one-on-one training. If the culinary institute you enroll in has larger classes, you will most likely get little personal attention from the teachers. The best manner in which to evaluate the interaction and communication between instructors and students is to sit in on several of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are happy with the level of attention they receive in class in addition to the overall training. Also, speak with some of the instructors and determine what their teaching philosophies are together with their backgrounds and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a culinary arts college if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make certain that the school you select provides class scheduling that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on weekends near Hudson NH because of your job schedule, make certain that the school you pick offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the cooking college has a part-time offering. Also, ask what the make-up protocol is if you must miss a class due to family, work or other commitments.
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