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Comparing Culinary Arts 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 public or private college. Since there a large number of cooking programs in the Fresno area and across the United States, you will want to create a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can begin narrowing your choices. Some obvious qualifiers, for example location and cost are a good place to begin. But selecting a school because it is the closest or the least expensive is not the optimal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other variables, for example reputation and accreditation that you should assess as well. So below are some critical areas that you need to investigate for every school as you compare them and make your final decision.
Accreditation. It's essential that the cooking college you choose 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 certified organization, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a comprehensive assessment relating to their curriculum, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help ensure that you will receive excellent training, but it may also help in acquiring a student loan or financial assistance which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools frequently have the benefit of having modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to earn an accreditation or to establish a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of excellence and earned one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in operation, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job assistance program. Certainly there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more highly regarded schools commonly modernize their facilities and equipment. The important takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts programs you are reviewing. Low graduation rates are red flags that numerous students were unhappy with either the schools or the courses and quit before graduating. They might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to teach the course of study. Request that the schools provide their job placement rates also. If a college has a high job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a good or outstanding reputation within the culinary community, as well as a large network of professional associations. Be suspicious of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The culinary school that you attend should be within driving distance of your Fresno residence, unless you are willing to relocate. You may consider attending school online, but you would still need to travel for your externship training. Conversely, maybe you have decided to attend a particular culinary college located in another state because of its prominence and courses offered. It would be a good idea to check out the campus before enrolling, to make sure that you are satisfied with the location and your prospective living conditions. Check the training facilities in person to make sure they are modern and that the equipment is contemporary. Remember also that some schools concentrate their job placement programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The ideal approach to learn how to cook is with a lot of personalized training. If the culinary arts college you enroll in has larger classes, you will most likely receive little individual attention from the teachers. The best manner in which to assess the interaction and communication between instructors and students is to sit in on a few of the classes. Ask some of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are satisfied with the amount of attention they receive in class as well as the entire course of training. Also, speak with some of the teachers and determine what their teaching philosophies are together with their histories and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a cooking institute if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make certain that the school you pick has available class scheduling that can accommodate your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Fresno TX because of your work schedule, check that the school you decide on offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify that the cooking college has a part-time alternative. Also, check to see what the make-up policy is if you have to miss a class due to family, work or other commitments.
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