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Contrasting Culinary Arts Colleges
By now you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you wish to earn, and whether or not you would like to enroll in a private or a public institution. Since there a large number of culinary arts institutions in the Rochester area and across the Country, you must create a checklist of important qualifications so that you can begin narrowing down your choices. A few obvious qualifiers, for instance location and cost are an excellent place to begin. But picking 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 considerations, for instance reputation and accreditation that you must assess also. Therefore, below are some crucial areas that you should research for each school as you compare them and make your final decision.
Accreditation. It's important that the culinary program you choose has some type of accreditation from either a regional or a national organization. As previously mentioned, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged authority, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a detailed assessment regarding their course of study, instructors and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive excellent training, but it may also help in securing a student loan or financial aid which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools frequently have the benefit of having modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been operating long enough to earn an accreditation or to develop a reputation. On the other hand, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a sustained history of excellence and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has operated, the more graduates the school can reach out to for its job assistance program. Certainly there is some give and take based on the age of the cooking schools. And older, more renowned schools usually update their facilities and equipment. The important takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. Initially, ask what the graduation rates are for the cooking schools you are evaluating. Low graduation rates are signs that numerous students were unhappy with either the institutes or the programs and quit before graduating. They may also signify that the instructors were not qualified to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools furnish their job placement rates also. If a college has a higher job placement rate, it will help confirm that it has a great or exceptional reputation within the cooking field, as well as a broad network of professional associations. Be suspicious of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The culinary college that you attend must be within driving distance of your Rochester residence, unless you are able to relocate. You may think about attending classes online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. Conversely, perhaps you have chosen to attend a specific culinary school located in a different state because of its reputation and courses offered. It would be a good idea to visit the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the location and your prospective living conditions. Check the training facilities in person to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that a number of schools focus their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective way to learn how to cook is with a lot of personalized instruction. If the cooking school you enroll in has bigger classes, you will most likely get minimal individual attention from the teachers. The best manner in which to assess the interaction and communication between instructors and students is to audit a few of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are happy with the level of attention they get in class as well as the overall training. Also, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their teaching philosophies are along with their backgrounds and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a culinary arts school if you will be unable to attend the classes. Therefore make certain that the school you select has available class scheduling that can accommodate your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on Saturdays or Sundays near Rochester NH because of your work schedule, make sure that the school you pick offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the culinary arts institute has a part-time option. Also, ask what the make-up policy is if you have to miss a class as a result of family, work or other responsibilities.
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