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Researching Culinary Programs
At this point 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 school. Since there are numerous culinary institutions in the Rego Park area and across the United States, you will want to create a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can start narrowing down your options. Certain obvious qualifiers, for instance location and cost are an excellent place to begin. But selecting a school because it is the nearest or the most affordable is not the best way to decide on your education. There are other considerations, for example accreditation and reputation that you should review also. So following are some crucial areas that you need to research for each school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the culinary institute you choose has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national authority. As previously stated, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a comprehensive review pertaining to their curriculum, instructors and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help ensure that you will receive exceptional training, but it may also help in acquiring a student loan or financial assistance which are generally not accessible for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools often have the benefit of having 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, more established schools may still be using their original, dated equipment, but have established a sustained track record of excellence and acquired one or more accreditations. Also, the longer 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 schools. And older, more highly regarded schools commonly update their facilities and equipment. The significant 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, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary colleges you are reviewing. Lower graduation rates are indications that many students were dissatisfied with either the schools or the training and quit before graduating. They might also signify that the teachers were not competent to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools furnish their job placement rates as well. If a school has a higher job placement rate, it will help affirm that it has a good or excellent reputation within the culinary field, in addition to a broad network of professional relationships. Be suspicious of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary school that you enroll in should be within commuting distance of your Rego Park residence, unless you can move. You may consider attending classes online, but you would still have to travel for your externship training. Conversely, perhaps you have chosen to enroll in a specific culinary college located in a different state because of its prominence and programs 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. Inspect the training facilities in person to make certain they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that many schools focus their job placement programs within their local communities, so pick a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The best method to learn how to cook is with lots of personalized instruction. If the culinary program you enroll in has larger classes, you will probably get little individual attention from the instructors. The optimal way to assess the interaction between faculty and students is to attend several 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 get in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, talk with several of the teachers and find out what their teaching approaches are as well as their backgrounds and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a culinary arts program if you will be unable to attend the classes. So confirm that the school you pick offers class scheduling that will work with your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Rego Park NY because of your job schedule, make sure that the school you decide on offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend part-time, verify that the culinary arts school has a part-time alternative. Also, check to see 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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