Choosing a Culinary College

Here are six key criteria that can help you assess the quality of different schools and decide which college program is right for you:

1 - Choose a college that will give you the greatest possible chance for success

• Select schools with high graduation rates and high employment rates.
• Look for opportunities for long-term career success with attractive salaries.
• Look for large, successful alumni networks that provide mentoring and help for career advancement.
• Nationally recognized, highly regarded schools provide you with access to national and international career opportunities.
• Regional schools do not offer these benefits.

2 - Choose a school that emphasizes hands-on, in-kitchen learning and real restaurant experiences

• Look for a high level of teaching kitchens and in-kitchen instruction hours.
• Seek schools that have a variety of first-class restaurants on campus for professional training.
• Select programs that include scheduled externships at leading restaurants, hotels, and resorts for real-world experience and industry connections.

3 - Choose a school with a large faculty of experienced, diverse, and accomplished chefs

• Find out how many faculty members are Master Chefs and Bakers.
• Make sure the faculty includes Certified Hospitality Educators (C.H.E.s) to be effective teachers.
• Look for a diverse faculty that represents a variety of cultures and culinary experiences to enrich your education.
• Make sure the school's "celebrity" chef faculty members actually teach, not just endorse the school.
• Compare student/faculty ratios to find programs that provide individual mentoring.
• Learn what the faculty and college have published. Accomplished educators are often authors of leading culinary texts as well.

4 - Choose an accredited college offering both associate and bachelor's degree programs

• Associate degree programs should provide fundamental skills, techniques, and cuisine studies that prepare you for a variety of foodservice jobs, and require approximately two years to complete.
• Bachelor's degree programs should provide the same foundation plus build operational and management knowledge to prepare you for leadership in and beyond the foodservice kitchen, and require approximately four years to complete.
• The college should be accredited by the leading regional accrediting commission for higher education. This validates the quality of the education provided, adds to the long-term value and marketability of your degree, and allows you to pursue advanced degrees at top colleges and universities.

5 - Choose a college offering a vital campus community and access to career and cultural resources

• The college should have a diverse student body and a variety of clubs, special events, and sports.
• The availability of attractive campus housing and recreational facilities contributes to a dynamic, fun student life experience.
• Look for a college that has access to a major city where you can benefit from additional entertainment, cultural learning, and exposure to leading foodservice businesses.

6 - Choose a college that offers superior value, backed by a complete financial aid program

• You are investing in higher education. Choose the program that offers the educational experience and industry access that maximizes your career potential.
• Look for a professional, experienced financial aid staff ready to address your needs.
• Look for the availability of college scholarships to supplement federal and state programs.
• Select a program that provides continuing support for each year of study, not just the first year.
• To research cooking schools, start at top guides like ShawGuides The Guide To Cooking Schools (also www.shawguides.com, cooking and wine schools - career) and Peterson's Culinary Schools guide (www.culinaryschools.com) to identify schools of interest. Then visit the schools' websites and request viewbooks and catalogues to learn about their programs and resources.

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