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Researching Cooking Schools
By now you should have decided on the type of degree that you plan to earn, and if you want to enroll in a public or private institution. Since there are numerous culinary arts programs in the Elmwood Park area and across the Country, you must develop a checklist of essential qualifiers so that you can begin narrowing your options. A few obvious qualifications, for example location and cost are an excellent place to start. But picking a school because it is the closest or the least expensive is not the best way to decide on your education. There are other variables, for example accreditation and reputation that you must evaluate also. Therefore, below are some key areas that you must research for every school as you compare them and make your final choice.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the cooking institute you choose has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national agency. As mentioned previously, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized authority, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a detailed review pertaining to their curriculum, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help ascertain that you will receive quality training, but it can also assist in securing a student loan or financial aid which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools often have the advantage of having modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to earn an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. Conversely, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a sustained track record of success and earned one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has operated, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job placement program. Obviously there is some give and take based on the age of the cooking schools. And older, more highly regarded schools typically update their facilities and equipment. The important lesson is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary institutes you are assessing. Lower graduation rates are signs that numerous students were dissatisfied with either the institutes or the training and dropped out. They may also suggest that the teachers were not competent to teach the course of study. Ask the schools to provide their job placement rates as well. If a college has a higher job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a great or exceptional reputation within the cooking field, as well as a large network of professional relationships. Watch out for any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The culinary college that you choose must be within commuting distance of your Elmwood Park residence, unless you can move. You may consider attending classes online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, perhaps you have chosen to attend a particular culinary college located in a different state due to its ranking and programs offered. It would be a good idea to pay a visit to the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the location and your prospective living conditions. Inspect the training facilities in person to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Consider also that many schools target their job assistance programs within their local communities, so pick a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective way to learn how to cook is with plenty of personalized training. If the cooking college you enroll in has large classes, you will most likely receive little personal attention from the teachers. The best means to assess the communication and interaction between faculty and students is to sit in on several of the classes. Ask some of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are happy with the amount of attention they receive in class in addition to the overall training. Also, speak with several of the instructors and learn what their teaching approaches are together with their backgrounds and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a cooking college if you will not be able to attend the classes. So make sure that the school you decide on offers class scheduling that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Elmwood Park NJ because of your work schedule, verify that the school you decide on offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify that the culinary institute has a part-time offering. Also, find out what the make-up protocol is if you have to miss a class because of work, family or other responsibilities.
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