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Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Los Altos CA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Los Altos CA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Los Altos CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Los Altos CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Los Altos CA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Los Altos CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be available in Los Altos CA.