Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your New Trier IL home, in addition to the expense 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 reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in New Trier IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with New Trier IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in 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 launch a barber shop in New Trier IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a New Trier IL barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which New Trier IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be offered in New Trier IL.