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Comparing Culinary Institutes
By now you should have decided on the type of degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to enroll in a private or a public college. Since there are numerous culinary arts institutions in the Pennsauken area and across the United States, you will want to develop a checklist of essential qualifiers so that you can begin narrowing your options. Some obvious qualifications, for instance cost and location are an excellent place to start. But choosing 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 variables, including accreditation and reputation that you must evaluate also. So following are some crucial areas that you must investigate for each school as you compare them and make your ultimate decision.
Accreditation. It's very important that the culinary arts program you pick has some type of accreditation from either a local or a national organization. As mentioned previously, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized authority, such as the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a comprehensive evaluation pertaining to their course of study, teachers and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help ensure that you will receive exceptional training, but it may also assist in securing a student loan or financial aid which are often not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools generally have the advantage of possessing modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to acquire an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. On the other hand, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of success and obtained one or more accreditations.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 longer a school has been in operation, the more alumni the school can reach out to for its job placement program. Naturally there is some give and take dependent on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more renowned schools typically modernize their equipment and facilities. The valuable takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an outstanding 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 evaluating. Lower graduation rates are indications that many students were unhappy with either the institutes or the training and quit before graduating. They might also suggest that the teachers were not competent to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to furnish their job placement rates also. If a school has a high job placement rate, it will help affirm that it has a great or excellent reputation within the culinary arts field, as well as a wide network of professional associations. Be wary of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The cooking institute that you choose must be within commuting distance of your Pennsauken home, unless you can move. You may think about attending college online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, maybe you have decided to attend a specific culinary college located in another state because of its ranking and programs offered. It would be a good idea to pay a visit to the campus before enrolling, to make sure that you are satisfied with the area and your prospective living conditions. Check the training facilities in person to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is state of the art. Keep in mind also that a number of schools target their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so choose a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The best method to learn how to cook is with a lot of one-on-one instruction. If the culinary school you enroll in has larger classes, you will undoubtedly receive little personal attention from the instructors. The optimal manner in which to evaluate the interaction and communication 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 happy with the level of attention they receive in class as well as the overall training. Also, talk with a couple of the instructors and learn what their teaching styles are along with their experiences and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a cooking school if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make sure that the school you pick has available class scheduling that will work with your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on Saturdays or Sundays near Pennsauken NJ because of your job schedule, confirm that the school you decide on offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the culinary arts institute has a part-time alternative. Also, ask what the make-up policy is if you have to miss a class because of family, work or other commitments.
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