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Comparing Culinary Schools
At this point you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you wish to earn, and whether or not you would like to enroll in a public or private institution. Since there are numerous cooking programs in the Roosevelt area and within the USA, you will want to create a checklist of important qualifiers so that you can begin limiting your choices. A few obvious qualifiers, including cost and location are an excellent place to start. But selecting a school because it is the nearest or the least expensive is not the ideal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other criteria, for example reputation and accreditation that you need to review as well. So following are some crucial areas that you must research for each school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate decision.
Accreditation. It's essential that the cooking institute you select has some type of accreditation from either a local or a national organization. As previously mentioned, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a comprehensive assessment relating to their curriculum, instructors and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive exceptional training, but it may also help in obtaining a student loan or financial aid which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools generally have the advantage of possessing modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to garner an accreditation or to develop a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, dated equipment, but have established a sustained track record of success and received one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in business, the more graduates the school can reach out to for its job assistance program. Obviously there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more renowned schools usually update their equipment and facilities. The important takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. Initially, find out what the graduation rates are for the cooking institutes you are reviewing. Low graduation rates are signs that many students were dissatisfied with either the schools or the programs and dropped out. They might also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to provide their job placement rates as well. If a school has a higher job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a great or exceptional reputation within the cooking field, as well as a broad network of professional associations. Watch out for any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary college that you attend must be within commuting distance of your Roosevelt residence, unless you can move. You may think about attending school online, but you would still have to travel for your externship training. Alternatively, maybe you have chosen to go to a specific culinary arts school located in another state due to its prominence and courses offered. It would be a good idea to pay a visit to the campus before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the location and your future living conditions. Look over the training facilities in person to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Remember also that a number of schools focus their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so choose a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The ideal method to learn how to cook is with plenty of personalized instruction. If the culinary arts college you enroll in has large classes, you will most likely receive minimal personal attention from the instructors. The ideal means to evaluate the interaction and communication between teachers and students is to attend some of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are happy with the amount of attention they receive in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, speak with a couple of the teachers and find out what their teaching philosophies are along with their experiences and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a culinary college if you will not be able to attend the classes. Therefore make certain that the school you choose offers class scheduling that can accommodate your active lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Roosevelt NY due to your work schedule, check that the school you decide on offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend part-time, verify that the cooking college has a part-time offering. Also, ask what the make-up protocol is if you must miss a class as a result of work, family or other commitments.
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