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Researching Cooking Colleges
By now you should have decided on the type of degree that you plan to earn, and if you want to enroll in a private or a public school. Since there a large number of cooking schools in the Wappinger area and across the United States, you need to create a checklist of essential qualifiers so that you can begin narrowing down your choices. Some obvious qualifiers, for instance location and cost are a good place to start. But picking a school because it is the nearest or the most affordable is not the ideal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other variables, including accreditation and reputation that you need to review also. So below are some key areas that you should investigate for each school as you compare them and make your ultimate choice.
Accreditation. It's important that the cooking institute you pick has some type of accreditation from either a local or a national agency. As previously stated, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged agency, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a thorough assessment relating to their course of study, instructors and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive quality training, but it may also assist in obtaining a student loan or financial aid which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools frequently have the advantage of having modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been open long enough to acquire an accreditation or to develop a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a lengthy history of excellence and earned one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in business, 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 cooking schools. And older, more highly regarded schools typically update their facilities and equipment. The valuable takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an excellent reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary colleges you are evaluating. Lower graduation rates are indications that many students were unhappy with either the schools or the training and dropped out. They might also suggest 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 high job placement rate, it will help validate that it has a good or exceptional reputation within the culinary arts community, in addition to a large network of professional contacts. Be wary of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The cooking school that you choose should be within driving distance of your Wappinger home, unless you have decided to move. You may think about attending college online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, maybe you have decided to go to a particular culinary institute located in another state due to its reputation and courses offered. It would be a wise decision to visit the campus before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the area and your prospective living conditions. Check the training facilities personally to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Consider also that some schools target their job placement programs within their local communities, so select a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The ideal approach to learn how to cook is with lots of one-on-one instruction. If the culinary arts program you enroll in has bigger classes, you will most likely receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. The optimal means to evaluate the communication and interaction between instructors and students is to attend a few of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are pleased with the level of attention they get in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, talk with a couple of the teachers and learn what their teaching philosophies are as well as their histories and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a culinary arts institute if you will be unable to attend the classes. Therefore make sure that the school you decide on provides class scheduling that can work with your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on Saturdays or Sundays near Wappinger NY because of your job schedule, confirm that the school you choose offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend part-time, confirm that the culinary program has a part-time option. Also, check to see what the make-up policy is if you must miss a class as a result of work, family or other obligations.
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