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Contrasting Culinary Arts Schools
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 institute. Since there are numerous culinary programs in the Elmont area and across the Country, you must create a checklist of important qualifiers so that you can begin narrowing your choices. A few obvious qualifications, for instance cost and location are a good place to start. But deciding on a school because it is the closest or the most affordable is not the ideal way to decide on your education. There are other considerations, including reputation and accreditation that you should review also. So below are some key areas that you need to research for each school as you compare them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's very important that the culinary institute you select has some type of accreditation from either a regional or a national agency. As mentioned previously, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged authority, such as the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a thorough review pertaining to their curriculum, teachers and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help ensure that you will receive excellent training, but it can also help in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools often have the benefit of having modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to acquire an accreditation or to establish a reputation. Conversely, more established schools may still be using their original, dated equipment, but have established a lengthy track record of excellence and obtained 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 dependent on the age of the culinary arts schools. And older, more reputable schools typically update their facilities and equipment. The significant lesson 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, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary schools you are reviewing. Low graduation rates are indicators that numerous students were unhappy with either the institutes or the training and dropped out. They may also signify that the teachers were not qualified to teach the course of study. Request that the schools provide 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, in addition to a broad network of professional relationships. Be wary of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary institute that you choose must be within commuting distance of your Elmont residence, unless you are willing to move. You may think about attending school online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, perhaps you have chosen to go to a particular culinary institute located in another state due to its prominence and courses offered. It would be a wise decision to pay a visit to the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the location and your potential living conditions. Check the training facilities in person to make sure they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that many schools target their job assistance programs within their local communities, so select a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The best approach to learn how to cook is with a lot of one-on-one training. If the culinary college you enroll in has large classes, you will probably receive minimal personal attention from the instructors. The optimal way to evaluate the interaction and communication between instructors 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 amount of attention they get in class as well as the overall training. Also, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their teaching approaches are as well as their experiences and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a cooking school if you will not be able to attend the classes. Therefore make certain that the school you select provides class scheduling that can work with your active lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on weekends near Elmont NY because of your work schedule, verify that the school you pick offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the culinary school has a part-time alternative. Also, find out what the make-up protocol is if you need to miss a class due to family, work or other responsibilities.
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