How to Pick the Best Barber School Near White Plains New York

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near White Plains NY, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your White Plains home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your White Plains NY home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in White Plains NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with White Plains NY barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of 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, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in White Plains NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a White Plains NY barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which White Plains NY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in White Plains NY.

How to Train in Barbering in White Plains

Enroll in the Right White Plains Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in White Plains New York.

White Plains Barber Colleges | White Plains How To Become A Barber