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Contrasting Culinary Colleges
At this point you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you plan to earn, and if you would like to enroll in a public or private institute. Since there a large number of culinary institutions in the Eau Claire area and across the Country, you need to create a checklist of essential qualifications so that you can start narrowing your choices. Some obvious qualifiers, including location and cost are a good place to start. But choosing a school because it is the closest or the cheapest is not the optimal way to decide on your education. There are other criteria, such as accreditation and reputation that you need to review also. So following are some key areas that you should research for each school as you compare them and make your final decision.
Accreditation. It's very important that the culinary arts school you pick has some type of accreditation from either a local or a national agency. As mentioned previously, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized organization, for example the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a detailed evaluation pertaining to their curriculum, instructors and facilities. So not only does accreditation help ensure that you will receive excellent training, but it may also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools.
Age. Newer schools generally have the advantage 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 Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a lengthy track record of excellence and received one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has operated, the more alumni the school can solicit for its job assistance program. Naturally there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary schools. And older, more reputable schools usually modernize their facilities and equipment. The valuable takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your school of choice will have an exceptional reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the culinary colleges you are reviewing. Low graduation rates are indicators that a number of students were unhappy with either the institutes or the programs and quit before graduating. They may also suggest that the teachers were not competent to teach the course of study. Request that the schools supply their job placement rates as well. If a school has a high job placement rate, it will help confirm that it has a great or outstanding reputation within the cooking field, in addition to a wide network of professional associations. Watch out for any school that will not provide this information.
Location. The cooking institute that you enroll in should be within commuting distance of your Eau Claire residence, unless you are willing to relocate. You may think about attending school online, but you would still need to travel for your externship program. Alternatively, perhaps you have chosen to attend a particular culinary institute located in another state because of its ranking and courses offered. It would be a good idea to visit the campus before enrolling, to make sure that you are satisfied with the location and your future living conditions. Inspect the training facilities in person to make certain they are modern and that the equipment is state of the art. Remember also that a number of schools target their job placement programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will enjoy working.
Class Sizes. The most effective way to learn how to cook is with plenty of one-on-one instruction. If the culinary institute you enroll in has bigger classes, you will most likely receive minimal personal attention from the instructors. The ideal means to evaluate the interaction and communication between teachers and students is to sit in on several of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Ascertain if they are satisfied with the amount of attention they get in class in addition to the overall training. Also, talk with a few of the instructors and determine what their teaching styles are along with their experiences and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a cooking college if you will not be able to attend the classes. So confirm that the school you select provides class scheduling that can fit in with your busy lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Eau Claire WI because of your work schedule, check that the school you pick offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend part-time, confirm that the culinary school has a part-time option. Also, find out what the make-up policy is if you have to miss a class because of family, work or other commitments.
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