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Comparing Culinary Colleges
At this point you should have decided on the type of degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to enroll in a private or a public school. Since there are numerous cooking institutions in the Richardson area and across the USA, you will want to develop a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can begin limiting your choices. A few obvious qualifiers, for example location and cost are an excellent place to start. But picking 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 criteria, including accreditation and reputation that you should evaluate also. So following are some crucial areas that you will need to research for each school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate selection.
Accreditation. It's imperative that the culinary arts institute you choose has some type of accreditation from either a regional or a national organization. As previously stated, the accrediting authority should be a U.S. Department of Education certified authority, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a thorough evaluation pertaining to their curriculum, instructors and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help establish that you will receive quality training, but it may also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial assistance which are generally not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools frequently have the advantage of possessing modern facilities and equipment. However, they may not have been open long enough to acquire an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. On the other hand, more established 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 much more a school has been in business, 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 cooking schools. And older, more highly regarded schools usually update their facilities and equipment. The significant takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your selected school will have an exceptional reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First off, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary schools you are reviewing. Low graduation rates are signs that a number of students were dissatisfied with either the institutes or the training and quit before graduating. They might also indicate that the instructors were not competent to teach the course of study. Ask the schools to furnish their job placement rates also. If a school has a higher job placement rate, it will help verify that it has a great or outstanding reputation within the culinary arts field, as well as a large network of professional associations. Be wary of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The cooking college that you attend must be within commuting distance of your Richardson residence, unless you are willing to relocate. You may think about attending classes online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. Conversely, perhaps you have chosen to go to a particular culinary school located in a different state because of its prominence and programs offered. It would be a wise decision to pay a visit to the campus before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the area and your prospective living conditions. Look over the training facilities in person to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is state of the art. Remember also that many schools focus their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so select a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective way to learn how to cook is with a lot of one-on-one instruction. If the culinary arts college you enroll in has large classes, you will undoubtedly receive little individual attention from the instructors. The optimal means to evaluate the interaction and communication between instructors and students is to sit in on several 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 receive in class in addition to the entire course of training. Also, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their teaching styles are along with their experiences and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a culinary arts school if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make certain that the school you select has available class scheduling that can work with your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on weekends near Richardson TX because of your work schedule, confirm that the school you pick offers either weekend or evening classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, check that the cooking institute has a part-time option. Also, find out what the make-up protocol is if you need to miss a class as a result of family, work or other obligations.
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