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Contrasting Culinary Schools
By now you should have decided on the type of degree that you want to attain, and whether or not you want to enroll in a public or private institution. Since there are numerous culinary programs in the Hobbs area and within the United States, you need to create a checklist of important qualifications so that you can start narrowing your choices. Some obvious qualifiers, for example location and cost are an excellent place to start. But deciding on a school because it is the nearest or the most affordable is not the optimal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other variables, such as reputation and accreditation that you must assess as well. Therefore, below are some critical areas that you should investigate for every school as you compare them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the culinary school you select has some type of accreditation from either a regional or a national agency. As previously stated, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a thorough review relating to their curriculum, instructors 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 assistance which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools generally have the advantage of possessing modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been open long enough to earn an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. On the other hand, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a lengthy history of success and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has been in operation, the more graduates the school can solicit 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 school of choice will have an excellent reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts programs you are evaluating. Lower graduation rates are signs that numerous students were dissatisfied with either the colleges or the training and dropped out. They can also signify that the teachers were not qualified to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools supply their job placement rates also. If a college has a higher job placement rate, it will help validate that it has a good or outstanding reputation within the cooking field, in addition to a wide network of professional contacts. Be wary of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary arts school that you enroll in must be within commuting distance of your Hobbs residence, unless you are willing to move. You may look into attending college online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. Alternatively, perhaps you have chosen to attend a particular culinary institute located in a different state due to its reputation and programs offered. It would be a good idea to check out the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the area and your potential living conditions. Inspect the training facilities personally to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is state of the art. Consider also that many schools concentrate their job placement programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will be happy working.
Class Sizes. The ideal method to learn how to cook is with plenty of one-on-one instruction. If the cooking institute you enroll in has larger classes, you will probably get little individual attention from the teachers. The best way to evaluate the interaction between faculty and students is to sit in on some of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are satisfied with the amount 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 together with their backgrounds and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a culinary school if you will not be able to attend the classes. So make certain that the school you pick offers class scheduling that can fit in with your active lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Hobbs NM because of your job schedule, check that the school you select offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, check that the culinary college has a part-time offering. Also, find out what the make-up policy is if you need to miss a class due to family, work or other commitments.
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