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Researching Culinary Institutes
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 institution. Since there are numerous cooking colleges in the Lackawanna area and across the Country, you must create a checklist of important qualifiers so that you can start narrowing your options. Some obvious qualifiers, including location and cost are an excellent place to begin. But selecting a school because it is the closest or the cheapest is not the optimal way to decide on your education. There are other factors, for example reputation and accreditation that you need to review as well. So below are some key areas that you need to research for every school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's very important that the cooking college you select has some type of accreditation from either a local or a national authority. As previously stated, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged authority, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a thorough assessment pertaining to their curriculum, instructors and facilities. So not only does accreditation help establish that you will receive exceptional training, but it may also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are generally not accessible for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools generally have the benefit of possessing 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 earned one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has been in operation, the more alumni 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 highly regarded schools usually update their facilities and equipment. The valuable takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First off, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts institutes you are looking at. Lower graduation rates are indicators that a number of students were dissatisfied with either the institutes or the programs and dropped out. They might also signify that the teachers were not qualified to teach the course of study. Ask the schools to furnish their job placement rates as well. If a school has a higher job placement rate, it will help confirm that it has a good or excellent reputation within the culinary community, in addition to a broad network of professional associations. Be wary of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary institute that you attend should be within commuting distance of your Lackawanna residence, unless you can relocate. You may look into attending school online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, perhaps you have opted to enroll in a specific culinary school located in a different state due to its ranking and courses offered. It would be a wise decision to visit the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the area and your future living conditions. Check the training facilities in person to make certain they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Remember also that some schools concentrate their job placement programs within their regional communities, so select a location where you will be happy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective method to learn how to cook is with plenty of one-on-one instruction. If the cooking institute you enroll in has large classes, you will undoubtedly receive limited individual attention from the teachers. The best means to assess the interaction and communication between teachers and students is to sit in on some of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are pleased with the amount of attention they receive in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their teaching approaches are together with their histories and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a culinary arts program if you will not be able to attend the classes. So make certain that the school you pick offers class scheduling that can fit in with your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on Saturdays or Sundays near Lackawanna NY because of your work schedule, make certain that the school you decide on offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the cooking institute has a part-time alternative. Also, ask what the make-up policy is if you have to miss a class as a result of work, family or other obligations.
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