Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Daly City CA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Daly City CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might 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 excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Daly City CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Daly City CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Daly City CA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Daly City CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Daly City CA.