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Comparing Culinary Arts Programs
At this point you should have decided on the type of degree that you plan to earn, and if you would like to enroll in a public or private college. Since there are numerous culinary arts programs in the Raritan area and within the Country, you need to develop a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can start narrowing your choices. Some obvious qualifications, for instance location and cost are an excellent place to begin. But choosing a school because it is the closest or the cheapest is not the best way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other variables, for instance reputation and accreditation that you need to assess also. Therefore, below are some critical areas that you need to investigate for every school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's important that the cooking institute you select has some form of accreditation from either a local or a national authority. As previously stated, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged organization, for instance 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 ascertain that you will receive exceptional training, but it can also assist in obtaining a student loan or financial assistance which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools generally have the benefit of possessing modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to garner an accreditation or to develop a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, dated equipment, but have established a sustained track record of excellence and acquired one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in operation, the more alumni the school can solicit for its job placement program. Naturally there is some give and take based on the age of the cooking schools. And older, more reputable schools commonly update their equipment and facilities. The important lesson is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an exceptional reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts institutions you are assessing. Low graduation rates are indications that a number of students were unhappy with either the schools or the courses and dropped out. They can also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to teach the course of study. Request that the schools furnish their job placement rates also. If a school has a higher job placement rate, it will help affirm that it has a good or outstanding reputation within the culinary field, as well as a broad network of professional relationships. Be suspicious of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The cooking institute that you enroll in must be within commuting distance of your Raritan home, unless you are able to move. You may think about attending school online, but you would still have to travel for your externship training. On the other hand, maybe you have decided to enroll in a particular culinary school located in a different state due to its ranking and courses offered. It would be a wise decision to check out the facility before enrolling, to make sure that you are satisfied with the location and your future living conditions. Tour the training facilities in person to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is state of the art. Remember also that a number of schools concentrate their job assistance programs within their local communities, so select a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The most effective method to learn how to cook is with plenty of personalized training. If the cooking school you enroll in has larger classes, you will probably get little personal attention from the instructors. The optimal way to assess the interaction between faculty 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 pleased with the level of attention they receive in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, speak with a couple of the teachers and determine what their teaching approaches are together with their histories and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a culinary arts program if you will be unable to attend the classes. So confirm that the school you select offers class scheduling that can accommodate your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on weekends near Raritan NJ because of your job schedule, make sure that the school you pick offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the cooking program has a part-time alternative. Also, check to see what the make-up protocol is if you need to miss a class because of family, work or other obligations.
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