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Contrasting Culinary Institutes
By now you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you plan to attain, and if you would like to enroll in a private or a public college. Since there are numerous cooking institutions in the Melrose area and within the Country, you will want to develop a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can start limiting your choices. Some obvious qualifiers, including cost and location are a good place to start. But choosing a school because it is the closest or the cheapest is not the ideal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other factors, such as reputation and accreditation that you should evaluate also. So below are some key areas that you will need to research for every school as you compare them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the culinary arts school you pick has some type of accreditation from either a regional or a national agency. As previously stated, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized organization, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a comprehensive review regarding their curriculum, instructors and facilities. So not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive exceptional training, but it can also help in securing a student loan or financial assistance which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools generally have the advantage of having modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been operating 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 Conversely, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long history of excellence and received one or more accreditations.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 longer a school has been in operation, the more graduates the school can reach out to for its job placement program. Naturally there is some give and take based on the age of the cooking schools. And older, more highly regarded schools usually update their equipment and facilities. The significant lesson is that in the best case scenario, your school of choice will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the cooking institutions you are examining. Lower graduation rates are indicators that many students were unhappy with either the colleges or the programs and quit before graduating. They may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to teach the course of study. Ask the schools to provide their job placement rates also. If a school has a higher 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 wary of any school that will not provide this information.
Location. The culinary arts college that you attend should be within driving distance of your Melrose home, unless you can move. You may think about attending classes online, but you would still need to travel for your externship training. Alternatively, perhaps you have opted to go to a particular culinary arts school located in another state because of its reputation and courses offered. It would be a wise decision to pay a visit to the campus before enrolling, to make sure that you are satisfied with the location and your future living conditions. Tour the training facilities personally to make certain they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that many schools concentrate their job placement programs within their local communities, so select a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The best approach to learn how to cook is with lots of one-on-one instruction. If the culinary school you enroll in has bigger classes, you will most likely receive minimal personal attention from the teachers. The best manner in which to assess the communication and interaction between teachers and students is to sit in on a few of the classes. Ask some 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 overall training. Also, talk with a couple of the instructors and learn what their teaching approaches are along with their backgrounds and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a culinary college if you will be unable to attend the classes. So confirm that the school you pick provides class scheduling that will work with your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Melrose NY because of your work schedule, confirm that the school you choose offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, check that the culinary arts school has a part-time alternative. Also, find out what the make-up protocol is if you have to miss a class as a result of family, work or other responsibilities.
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