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Comparing Culinary Institutes
At this point you should have decided on the type of degree that you wish to attain, and whether or not you would like to enroll in a public or private institute. Since there a large number of culinary arts schools in the Kew Gardens area and within the United States, you must develop a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can start narrowing your options. Some obvious qualifications, such as location and cost are an excellent place to start. But deciding on a school because it is the nearest or the cheapest is not the best way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other variables, including reputation and accreditation that you must review also. So below are some key areas that you must research for every school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate selection.
Accreditation. It's very important that the culinary arts institute you select has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national organization. As aforementioned, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education certified agency, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a detailed assessment regarding their curriculum, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help establish that you will receive exceptional training, but it may also help in obtaining a student loan or financial assistance which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools generally have the benefit of possessing modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to garner an accreditation or to develop a reputation. Conversely, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long history of excellence and received one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has been in business, the more alumni the school can reach out to for its job placement program. Certainly there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary arts schools. And older, more highly regarded schools typically update their facilities and equipment. The valuable takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your school of choice will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First off, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts institutes you are assessing. Low graduation rates are indications that a number of students were dissatisfied with either the colleges or the courses and quit before graduating. They can also signify that the instructors were not qualified to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools supply their job placement rates as well. If a school has a high job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a great or exceptional reputation within the cooking community, as well as a broad network of professional connections. Be wary of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The cooking institute that you enroll in should be within driving distance of your Kew Gardens home, unless you are able to move. You may consider attending college online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, perhaps you have chosen to attend a particular culinary arts institute located in another state because of its reputation and programs offered. It would be a good idea to pay a visit to the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the area and your potential living conditions. Tour the training facilities in person to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that some schools focus their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The best method to learn how to cook is with plenty of personalized instruction. If the culinary institute you enroll in has bigger classes, you will probably get minimal personal attention from the instructors. The best manner in which to evaluate the interaction between faculty 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 level of attention they get in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, speak with a few of the teachers and find out what their teaching philosophies are as well as their histories and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a cooking school if you will be unable to attend the classes. Therefore make certain that the school you choose has available class scheduling that can fit in with your active lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on weekends near Kew Gardens NY due to your work schedule, make certain that the school you choose offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the cooking program has a part-time offering. Also, ask what the make-up policy is if you need to miss a class as a result of family, work or other responsibilities.
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