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Comparing Culinary Programs
At this point you should have decided on the type of degree that you wish to earn, and whether or not you would like to enroll in a private or a public school. Since there a large number of culinary institutions in the Bellaire area and within the United States, you will want to create a checklist of important qualifications so that you can begin narrowing down your options. Certain obvious qualifiers, for instance location and cost are a good place to begin. But selecting a school because it is the nearest or the most affordable is not the optimal way to decide on your education. There are other factors, for instance reputation and accreditation that you must review also. Therefore, below are some crucial areas that you will need to investigate for every school as you compare them and make your final decision.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the cooking institute you select has some form of accreditation from either a local or a national agency. As previously mentioned, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education certified organization, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a detailed review regarding their curriculum, instructors and facilities. So not only does accreditation help ascertain that you will receive excellent training, but it can also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial assistance which are generally not accessible 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 earn an accreditation or to develop a reputation. On the other hand, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of excellence and received one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has operated, the more alumni 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 typically update their equipment and facilities. The significant lesson is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an exceptional reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the cooking programs you are looking at. Low graduation rates are signs that numerous students were unhappy with either the schools or the training and quit before graduating. They might also indicate that the instructors were not competent to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to supply their job placement rates as well. If a school has a high job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a good or outstanding reputation within the culinary arts community, as well as a large network of professional relationships. Be skeptical of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The culinary arts school that you attend must be within driving distance of your Bellaire home, unless you have decided to move. You may look into attending school online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, perhaps you have decided to enroll in a specific culinary institute located in another state due to its reputation and programs offered. It would be a good idea to visit the campus before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the area and your prospective 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 focus their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so select a location where you will be happy working.
Class Sizes. The best method to learn how to cook is with plenty of personalized instruction. If the cooking program you enroll in has bigger classes, you will probably get little personal attention from the instructors. The best way to assess the interaction between teachers and students is to sit in on several 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 receive in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their teaching approaches are as well as their histories and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a cooking program if you will not be able to attend the classes. So confirm that the school you select offers class scheduling that will accommodate your active lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on weekends near Bellaire TX because of your work schedule, confirm that the school you select offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the culinary school has a part-time alternative. Also, ask what the make-up protocol is if you have to miss a class due to family, work or other commitments.
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