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Comparing Culinary Arts Schools
By now you should have decided on the type of degree that you want to attain, and if you want to enroll in a public or private institute. Since there a large number of cooking programs in the Lindenwold area and across the United States, you need to create a checklist of important qualifications so that you can start narrowing your options. Certain obvious qualifiers, for example 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 decide on your education. There are other factors, for example accreditation and reputation that you must assess also. Therefore, below are some crucial areas that you will need to research for each school as you compare and contrast them and make your final selection.
Accreditation. It's very important that the culinary arts school you pick has some form of accreditation from either a local or a national organization. As previously stated, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged agency, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a detailed assessment pertaining to their curriculum, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive exceptional training, but it can also help in obtaining a student loan or financial aid which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools often have the benefit of possessing modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been operating long enough to garner an accreditation or to establish a reputation. Conversely, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a lengthy track record of excellence and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in operation, the more alumni 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 reputable schools usually modernize their equipment and facilities. The significant takeaway 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 off, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts programs you are reviewing. Low graduation rates are indications that a number of students were unhappy with either the institutes or the programs and quit before graduating. They can also suggest that the teachers were not competent to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools furnish their job placement rates as well. If a college has a high job placement rate, it will help affirm that it has a great or excellent reputation within the culinary community, as well as a wide network of professional associations. Be wary of any school that will not provide this information.
Location. The cooking school that you choose should be within commuting distance of your Lindenwold residence, unless you can move. You may look into attending school online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. Alternatively, perhaps you have opted to go to a particular culinary school located in another state due to its prominence and programs 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 future living conditions. Inspect the training facilities personally to make certain they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that a number of schools focus their job placement programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The best approach to learn how to cook is with a lot of one-on-one instruction. If the cooking program you enroll in has large classes, you will probably receive minimal personal attention from the teachers. The ideal means to assess the interaction and communication between teachers and students is to attend some 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 get in class as well as the overall training. Also, speak with some of the teachers and determine what their teaching styles are along with their backgrounds and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a cooking school if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make sure that the school you choose provides class scheduling that can work with your active lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Lindenwold NJ because of your work schedule, check that the school you pick offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the culinary arts institute has a part-time option. Also, find out what the make-up protocol is if you need to miss a class due to work, family or other responsibilities.
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