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Evaluating Culinary Programs
At this point you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you want to attain, and whether or not you would like to enroll in a public or private college. Since there a large number of culinary institutions in the Clifton Park area and within the Country, you must develop a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can begin narrowing down your options. Certain obvious qualifications, such as location and cost are an excellent place to begin. But deciding on a school because it is the closest or the most affordable is not the best way to decide on your education. There are other considerations, including accreditation and reputation that you should evaluate as well. Therefore, following are some crucial areas that you need to investigate for every school as you compare and contrast them and make your final decision.
Accreditation. It's essential that the culinary school you pick has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national agency. As previously stated, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged authority, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a detailed evaluation regarding their course of study, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help ensure that you will receive exceptional training, but it can also assist in obtaining a student loan or financial assistance which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools frequently have the advantage of having modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been open long enough to acquire 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 On the other hand, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long history of success and received one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has operated, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job assistance program. Certainly there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more highly regarded schools typically modernize their facilities and equipment. The important 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 modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. Initially, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts schools you are examining. Low graduation rates are red flags that numerous 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 curriculum. Request that the schools supply their job placement rates as well. If a school has a higher job placement rate, it will help confirm that it has a great or excellent reputation within the culinary arts community, in addition to a wide network of professional connections. Be suspicious of any school that will not provide this information.
Location. The culinary institute that you attend must be within commuting distance of your Clifton Park residence, unless you are able to move. You may think about attending classes online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. Conversely, maybe you have decided to enroll in a particular culinary arts institute located in a different state due to its reputation and courses offered. It would be a good idea to visit the campus before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the location and your prospective living conditions. Tour the training facilities in person to make certain they are modern and that the equipment is state of the art. Remember also that some 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 a lot of personalized training. If the culinary institute you enroll in has large classes, you will probably receive minimal personal attention from the teachers. The optimal manner in which to evaluate the interaction and communication 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 satisfied with the level of attention they get in class in addition to the overall training. Also, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their teaching styles are together with their experiences and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a culinary arts institute if you will be unable to attend the classes. Therefore make certain that the school you choose provides class scheduling that can accommodate your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on weekends near Clifton Park NY because of your job schedule, make certain that the school you decide on offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the cooking program has a part-time alternative. Also, ask what the make-up policy is if you need to miss a class as a result of work, family or other obligations.
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