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Things to Ask Trade Schools
After you have selected the vocation and type of degree or certificate that you would like to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many vocational schools in the San Rafael CA area and throughout the United States to select from. That's why it is imperative to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school comparisons. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the initial two aspects you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. A large number of San Rafael CA area trade programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make sure that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states mandate that the training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One indicator to help determine the quality of a trade school near San Rafael CA is how long it has been in operation. A negatively rated or a fly by night school normally will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the best of schools had to start from their opening day of training, so use it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the tech schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may signify that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It may also mean that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It's similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs in the San Rafael CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of companies or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with San Rafael CA area contractors in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local San Rafael CA contracting company if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in California and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near San Rafael CA, verify that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.