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Comparing Culinary Colleges
By now you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you plan to attain, and whether or not you want to enroll in a public or private school. Since there are numerous culinary arts institutions in the San Benito area and across the USA, you need to develop a checklist of important qualifications so that you can begin narrowing your options. Some obvious qualifiers, including location and cost are a good place to begin. But deciding on a school because it is the nearest or the most affordable is not the best way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other factors, for example reputation and accreditation that you need to evaluate as well. Therefore, following are some key areas that you will need to research for every school as you compare and contrast them and make your ultimate selection.
Accreditation. It's essential that the culinary college you decide on has some form of accreditation from either a local or a national agency. As previously stated, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized authority, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have successfully completed a detailed evaluation relating to their course of study, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help ascertain that you will receive quality training, but it may also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are often not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools often have the benefit of possessing modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been in operation long enough to acquire 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 Conversely, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a long track record of success and received one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in business, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job placement program. Obviously there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more highly regarded schools commonly update their equipment and facilities. The significant lesson 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. First off, find out what the graduation rates are for the culinary colleges you are reviewing. Lower graduation rates are red flags that many students were dissatisfied with either the colleges or the training and dropped out. They might also indicate that the teachers were not competent to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to furnish 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 exceptional reputation within the cooking community, as well as a large network of professional relationships. Be skeptical of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary arts school that you attend must be within commuting distance of your San Benito residence, unless you have decided to move. You may look into attending classes online, but you would still need to travel for your externship training. Alternatively, perhaps you have chosen to attend a particular culinary arts school located in another state due to its ranking and courses offered. It would be a good idea to check out the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are satisfied with the area and your prospective living conditions. Inspect the training facilities personally to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that many schools focus their job assistance programs within their local communities, so choose a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The most effective approach to learn how to cook is with lots of one-on-one instruction. If the culinary arts college you enroll in has larger classes, you will most likely receive minimal personal attention from the instructors. The best manner in which to assess the communication and interaction between teachers and students is to audit some of the classes. Ask some of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain 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 find out what their teaching styles are together with their experiences and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a cooking school if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make sure that the school you decide on offers class scheduling that can work with your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend at night or on Saturdays or Sundays near San Benito TX because of your job schedule, check that the school you select offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the culinary arts institute has a part-time option. Also, check to see what the make-up protocol is if you have to miss a class due to work, family or other responsibilities.
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