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Researching Culinary Arts Colleges
By now you should have decided on the type of degree that you plan to attain, and whether or not you want to enroll in a private or a public institution. Since there are numerous culinary programs in the Grand Island area and across the United States, you must create a checklist of important qualifiers so that you can begin limiting your options. Certain obvious qualifications, for example location and cost are a good place to begin. But deciding on a school because it is the nearest or the most affordable is not the optimal way to decide on your education. There are other considerations, for example reputation and accreditation that you should evaluate as well. So following are some critical areas that you will need to research for every school as you compare them and make your final selection.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the cooking college you decide on has some type of accreditation from either a local or a national agency. As previously stated, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized authority, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a detailed review pertaining to their course of study, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help establish that you will receive quality training, but it can also assist in securing a student loan or financial assistance which are frequently not accessible 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 garner an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. On the other hand, older schools may still be using their original, dated equipment, but have established a lengthy track record of success and received 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. Certainly there is some give and take dependent on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more reputable schools usually update their equipment and facilities. The significant takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an excellent reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts institutes you are examining. Lower graduation rates are indications that a number of students were dissatisfied with either the institutes or the training and dropped out. They can also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to supply their job placement rates as well. If a college has a high job placement rate, it will help affirm that it has a good or exceptional reputation within the culinary community, as well as a large network of professional associations. Be wary of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The cooking college that you attend must be within commuting distance of your Grand Island home, unless you are willing to move. You may consider attending college online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. Conversely, perhaps you have decided to attend a specific culinary institute located in another state due to its reputation and programs offered. It would be a wise decision to visit the facility before enrolling, to make sure that you are comfortable with the location and your potential living conditions. Inspect the training facilities in person to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Consider also that a number of schools target their job assistance programs within their local communities, so select a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The ideal approach to learn how to cook is with a lot of one-on-one training. If the culinary school you enroll in has large classes, you will most likely get minimal individual attention from the teachers. The best means to assess the communication and interaction between faculty and students is to sit in on several of the classes. Ask some of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are pleased with the amount of attention they get in class in addition to the overall training. Also, talk with several of the instructors and find out what their teaching approaches are along with their backgrounds and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a culinary arts program if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make sure that the school you decide on has available class scheduling that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Grand Island NY because of your work schedule, confirm that the school you pick offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the culinary college has a part-time option. Also, find out what the make-up protocol is if you need to miss a class because of work, family or other responsibilities.
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