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Comparing Culinary Arts Institutes
At this point you should have decided on the type of degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to enroll in a public or private school. Since there are numerous culinary institutions in the Sachse area and across the Country, you will want to create a checklist of important qualifications so that you can begin limiting your options. A few obvious qualifications, including location and cost are a good place to begin. But picking a school because it is the nearest or the cheapest is not the ideal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other considerations, for example accreditation and reputation that you need to assess as well. So below are some crucial areas that you should research for each school as you compare them and make your final choice.
Accreditation. It's very important that the cooking institute you decide on has some form of accreditation from either a local or a national organization. As mentioned previously, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education certified organization, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a detailed review relating to their curriculum, instructors and facilities. Therefore not only does accreditation help confirm that you will receive excellent training, but it can also help in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools frequently have the benefit of having modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been open 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 Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a sustained history of excellence and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has been in operation, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job placement program. Certainly there is some give and take dependent on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more renowned schools typically update their facilities and equipment. The important 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 modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. Initially, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary institutions you are reviewing. Lower graduation rates are indications that numerous students were unhappy with either the colleges or the programs and dropped out. They can also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to teach the course of study. Request that the schools supply their job placement rates also. If a college has a high job placement rate, it will help confirm that it has a great or outstanding reputation within the culinary arts field, as well as a broad network of professional contacts. Be wary of any school that will not furnish this information.
Location. The culinary institute that you attend should be within driving distance of your Sachse home, unless you are willing to relocate. You may look into attending school online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. Alternatively, maybe you have decided to enroll in a particular culinary college located in another state because of its prominence and programs offered. It would be a wise decision to check out the campus before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the area and your potential living conditions. Check the training facilities personally to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Remember also that some schools focus their job placement programs within their local communities, so select a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The best approach to learn how to cook is with plenty of personalized instruction. If the culinary arts institute you enroll in has large classes, you will most likely receive minimal individual attention from the instructors. The best means to assess the communication and interaction between instructors and students is to attend a few of the classes. Ask some of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are satisfied with the level of attention they receive in class as well as the entire course of training. Also, talk with a few of the teachers and learn what their teaching philosophies are together with their backgrounds and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no benefit to in enrolling in a cooking institute if you will not be able to attend the classes. So make certain that the school you decide on offers class scheduling that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on Saturdays or Sundays near Sachse TX due to your work schedule, confirm that the school you select offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend part-time, check that the culinary arts college has a part-time alternative. Also, check to see what the make-up policy is if you must miss a class due to family, work or other responsibilities.
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