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Comparing Culinary Arts Colleges
At this point you should have decided on the type of degree that you wish to attain, and if you would like to enroll in a public or private institution. Since there are numerous culinary arts colleges in the Pasadena area and within the USA, you will want to develop a checklist of important qualifications so that you can begin narrowing your options. Certain obvious qualifiers, for instance cost and location are an excellent place to start. But picking a school because it is the closest or the most affordable is not the ideal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other variables, including reputation and accreditation that you need to review as well. So below are some key areas that you need to research for each school as you compare them and make your ultimate decision.
Accreditation. It's very important that the cooking institute you pick has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national authority. As aforementioned, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged authority, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a thorough assessment regarding their course of study, teachers and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help ascertain that you will receive excellent training, but it can also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are often not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools generally have the advantage of possessing modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been open long enough to garner an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. Conversely, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of excellence and received one or more accreditations.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 longer a school has operated, 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 usually modernize their facilities and equipment. The valuable takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an outstanding reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary arts schools you are evaluating. Lower graduation rates are signs that numerous students were unhappy with either the institutes or the training and quit before graduating. They might also suggest that the instructors were not competent 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 great or outstanding reputation within the culinary community, in addition to a wide network of professional relationships. Be suspicious of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary arts school that you attend should be within commuting distance of your Pasadena residence, unless you are able to relocate. You may look into attending school online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. On the other hand, maybe you have opted to enroll in a specific culinary arts institute located in a different state due to its ranking and programs offered. It would be a wise decision to pay a visit to 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 certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that some schools focus their job placement programs within their regional communities, so select a location where you will be happy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective method to learn how to cook is with a lot of one-on-one training. If the culinary arts school you enroll in has larger classes, you will probably get little individual attention from the teachers. The ideal means to evaluate the communication and interaction between teachers and students is to audit a few of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are happy with the level of attention they get in class as well as the overall training. Also, talk with several of the teachers and learn what their teaching approaches are along with their backgrounds and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a culinary arts school if you will be unable to attend the classes. Therefore confirm that the school you choose offers class scheduling that can fit in with your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Pasadena TX because of your work schedule, check that the school you decide on offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the culinary 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 responsibilities.
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