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Evaluating Culinary Schools
At this point you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you want to earn, and if you want to enroll in a public or private institution. Since there a large number of cooking programs in the Casper area and within the United States, you will want to develop a checklist of important qualifications so that you can begin narrowing down your options. Certain obvious qualifications, including location and cost are a good place to start. But picking a school because it is the nearest or the least expensive is not the best way to decide on your education. There are other considerations, such as reputation and accreditation that you need to assess also. So below are some critical areas that you need to research for every school as you compare and contrast them and make your final selection.
Accreditation. It's very important that the culinary program you choose has some type of accreditation from either a local or a national agency. As previously mentioned, the accrediting organization should be a U.S. Department of Education recognized authority, for instance the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a thorough assessment regarding their course of study, instructors and facilities. So not only does accreditation help establish that you will receive quality training, but it can also assist in obtaining a student loan or financial aid which are often not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established 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 establish a reputation. On the other hand, more established schools may still be using their original, outdated equipment, but have established a lengthy track record of excellence and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the longer a school has been in business, the more graduates the school can solicit for its job assistance 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 facilities and equipment. The important takeaway is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an excellent reputation, accreditation and a modern facility with newer equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the cooking programs you are evaluating. Lower graduation rates are indications that many students were unhappy with either the colleges or the training and dropped out. They might also signify that the teachers were not competent to teach the curriculum. Ask the schools to provide their job placement rates also. If a college has a higher job placement rate, it will help affirm that it has a good or exceptional reputation within the cooking community, in addition to a wide network of professional contacts. Be suspicious of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary college that you attend must be within driving distance of your Casper home, unless you have decided to relocate. You may look into attending college online, but you would still have to travel for your externship program. Conversely, maybe you have opted to attend a particular culinary institute located in a different state due to its ranking and courses offered. It would be a wise decision to check out the facility before enrolling, to make certain that you are comfortable with the area and your future living conditions. Tour the training facilities personally to make sure they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Keep in mind also that a number of schools target their job placement programs within their regional communities, so select a location where you will satisfied working.
Class Sizes. The most effective method to learn how to cook is with a lot of personalized training. If the culinary arts school you enroll in has large classes, you will probably get limited personal attention from the teachers. The ideal manner in which to evaluate the interaction between faculty and students is to sit in on several of the classes. Ask some of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are pleased with the level of attention they receive in class as well as the overall training. Also, speak with a couple of the teachers and determine what their teaching styles are together with their histories and credentials.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no sense in enrolling in a culinary institute if you will be unable to attend the classes. So make sure that the school you select offers class scheduling that can accommodate your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Casper WY due to your work schedule, check that the school you choose offers either weekend or night classes. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the cooking institute has a part-time option. Also, find out what the make-up policy is if you need to miss a class due to family, work or other obligations.
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