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Comparing Culinary Programs
At this point you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you plan to attain, and whether or not you want to enroll in a public or private institute. Since there are numerous culinary colleges in the Clifton area and within the USA, you will want to create a checklist of essential qualifiers so that you can begin limiting your options. Some obvious qualifiers, such as location and cost are a good place to start. But choosing a school because it is the nearest or the most affordable is not the ideal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other criteria, for instance accreditation and reputation that you should evaluate as well. So following are some key areas that you should research for every school as you compare them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's very important that the culinary arts institute you pick has some type of accreditation from either a regional or a national organization. As previously mentioned, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education certified authority, such as the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a detailed evaluation relating to their curriculum, teachers and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive excellent training, but it may also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are often not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools often have the benefit of possessing modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been operating long enough to garner an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a lengthy track record of success and acquired one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has operated, the more alumni the school can solicit for its job assistance program. Obviously there is some give and take dependent on the age of the culinary arts schools. And older, more renowned schools typically modernize their facilities and equipment. The valuable lesson is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts schools you are looking at. Lower graduation rates are indicators that many students were unhappy with either the institutes or the courses and dropped out. They might also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools provide their job placement rates as well. If a school has a high job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a great or excellent reputation within the culinary community, as well as a large network of professional associations. Watch out for any school that will not provide this information.
Location. The culinary institute that you choose should be within driving distance of your Clifton residence, unless you are willing to move. You may consider attending classes online, but you would still have to travel for your externship training. On the other hand, maybe you have opted to enroll in a particular culinary institute located in a different state because of its ranking and programs offered. It would be a wise decision to visit the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the area and your future living conditions. Inspect the training facilities in person to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Consider also that some schools target their job assistance programs within their local communities, so pick a location where you will be happy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective approach to learn how to cook is with plenty of personalized instruction. If the culinary institute you enroll in has bigger classes, you will undoubtedly receive little individual attention from the teachers. The best manner in which to evaluate the interaction between faculty and students is to sit in on a few of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are pleased with the amount of attention they get in class as well as the overall training. Also, speak with a couple of the teachers and find out what their teaching philosophies are as well as their histories and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a culinary program if you will not be able to attend the classes. So confirm that the school you choose provides class scheduling that can work with your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on weekends near Clifton NJ due to your job schedule, check that the school you decide on offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the culinary program has a part-time option. Also, check to see what the make-up protocol is if you have to miss a class as a result of work, family or other responsibilities.
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