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Researching Cooking Schools
At this point you should have decided on the type of degree that you plan to attain, and if you would like to enroll in a private or a public school. Since there a large number of culinary schools in the Hauppauge area and across the Country, you must create a checklist of important qualifications so that you can start narrowing down your options. Some obvious qualifications, for instance location and cost are a good place to start. But choosing a school because it is the closest or the least expensive is not the best way to decide on your education. There are other considerations, for example accreditation and reputation that you need to assess also. So following are some crucial areas that you must investigate for each school as you compare and contrast them and make your final decision.
Accreditation. It's essential that the culinary arts program you decide on has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national authority. As previously mentioned, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged agency, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a detailed review regarding their course of study, instructors and facilities. So not only does accreditation help establish that you will receive exceptional training, but it may also assist in securing a student loan or financial assistance which are generally not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools generally have the advantage of possessing modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been operating 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 excellence and received one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in business, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job placement program. Naturally there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more renowned schools usually modernize their facilities and equipment. The significant takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your school of choice will have an exceptional reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the cooking programs you are assessing. Lower graduation rates are indicators that many students were unhappy with either the colleges or the programs and dropped out. They can also signify that the instructors were not competent to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to 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 exceptional reputation within the culinary arts community, as well as a broad network of professional associations. Be suspicious of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary institute that you attend must be within commuting distance of your Hauppauge residence, unless you have decided to move. You may look into attending college online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. Conversely, perhaps you have decided to go to a specific culinary institute located in another state because of its prominence and courses offered. It would be a good idea to visit the campus before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the location and your potential living conditions. Tour the training facilities in person to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that some schools focus their job placement programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The most effective method to learn how to cook is with lots of personalized instruction. If the culinary arts program you enroll in has large classes, you will probably receive minimal individual attention from the instructors. The best way to assess the interaction between teachers 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 pleased with the level of attention they get in class as well as the entire course of training. Also, talk with some of the teachers and learn what their teaching approaches are together with their experiences and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a culinary college if you will be unable to attend the classes. Therefore make sure that the school you select has available class scheduling that will work with your active lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on Saturdays or Sundays near Hauppauge NY due to your job schedule, make sure that the school you select offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend part-time, check that the culinary college has a part-time alternative. Also, check to see what the make-up policy is if you must miss a class because of family, work or other obligations.
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