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Comparing Culinary Colleges
By now you should have decided on the type of degree that you want to attain, and if you would like to enroll in a public or private school. Since there are numerous cooking institutions in the Niskayuna area and within the USA, you need to create a checklist of important qualifiers so that you can begin narrowing your choices. Some obvious qualifications, for example cost and location are an excellent place to start. But choosing a school because it is the closest or the most affordable is not the best way to decide on your education. There are other variables, such as accreditation and reputation that you must assess as well. Therefore, following are some key areas that you need to research for every school as you compare and contrast them and make your final choice.
Accreditation. It's important that the cooking college you select has some form of accreditation from either a local or a national authority. As mentioned previously, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency, such as the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a comprehensive evaluation regarding their course of study, teachers and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive quality training, but it may also help in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are generally not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools generally have the benefit of having modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been operating long enough to earn an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of success and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has been in business, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job placement program. Obviously there is some give and take dependent on the age of the culinary arts schools. And older, more highly regarded schools usually modernize their equipment and facilities. The valuable takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary schools you are evaluating. Lower graduation rates are indications that a number of students were unhappy with either the colleges or the programs and dropped out. They might also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools supply their job placement rates as well. If a college has a higher job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a great or excellent reputation within the culinary arts field, as well as a broad network of professional connections. 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 Niskayuna residence, unless you are able to move. You may consider attending classes online, but you would still have to travel for your externship training. Alternatively, maybe you have chosen to go to a particular culinary arts institute located in a different state due to its ranking and programs offered. It would be a good idea to pay a visit to the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the location and your potential living conditions. Look over the training facilities personally to make sure they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Consider also that a number of schools target their job placement programs within their regional communities, so select a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The ideal way to learn how to cook is with a lot of personalized instruction. If the culinary arts program you enroll in has larger classes, you will undoubtedly get minimal individual attention from the instructors. The ideal manner in which to assess the interaction and communication between instructors and students is to sit in on several of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are pleased with the level of attention they receive in class as well as the entire course of training. Also, speak with some of the instructors and determine what their teaching styles are along with their histories and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a culinary school if you will not be able to attend the classes. So confirm that the school you pick offers class scheduling that will fit in with your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Niskayuna NY due to your job schedule, confirm that the school you choose offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend part-time, verify that the cooking school has a part-time option. Also, ask what the make-up policy is if you have to miss a class due to family, work or other commitments.
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