Guide to Choosing a School That’s Right For You

Hello Queens! We have a juicy topic for you today. There’s so much to think about when it comes to choosing a school– the first thing being kind of an important question: What passion would you like to pursue? If you don’t know the answer to this, congratulations! You are a normal human! Some people have NO idea what they are passionate about until they comb through the thick forest of self-exploration leading to some level of clarity.

That takes WORK. To the tune of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”: R-E-S-E-A-R-CH! (Just pretend it works?) But for real, if you’re ready to start the journey to get licensed, you HAVE to be prepared to do your research. Do you know what your State Licensing Requirements are? Do you understand the process of getting Licensed? These are some broad questions to start with. Many people start school with no idea of the time and effort it will take to graduate. Make sure you are motivated and mentally prepared to dedicate yourself to your education.

Maybe you’ll find interest in Nail Technology; maybe you’ll be into Esthetics or Hair Braiding; regardless of what direction you want to go in, your next step is going to be searching for schools in your area. And when we say searching, we pretty much mean online stalking. You have to dig deep to find all the information you can about your potential new schools! Most businesses now have Websites, Facebook pages, Instagram accounts, Twitter accounts, or some sort of social media presence– the schools you’re looking at should have ample information online for you to peruse. If they don’t, turn to Google reviews or Yelp reviews.

Here are a few things to pay attention to:

— Accreditation Information: This will indicate whether or not the school is eligible to accept Financial Aid. If you can’t find this information on the school’s website, you can go to NACCAS.com and search that school to find out if they are accredited or not. It doesn’t label a school good or bad, as accreditation is an intense, lengthy process for schools to go through. But, if you are interested in applying for Financial Aid to pay for your education, it will be an important factor in your decision.

— Licensing Exam Pass Rate: This tells you the percentage of students who have attended a specific school that have passed their exam and obtained their license successfully. It’s a good indication of the quality of education you can expect to receive at a certain school.

— Business Training: It is always a plus if a school offers a business unit or lesson within the curriculum. You will need this knowledge to succeed in the industry. Curriculum details should be readily available on the school’s website.

SO! You’ve done your research. You’ve got notes. You’ve got questions. It’s time to tour the school[s] you’ve decided on! This is when you’ll be able to find the perfect vibe, Queens. We highly encourage talking to instructors, students, and even staff at the campuses you tour. You’re likely going to be spending a good portion of your days at school, so you want to make sure it feels comfy. Of course, with time comes comfort, but y’all have got to read the room. Observe the attitudes of the students. Observe the way the instructors and students interact. Listen to the noise level. Are we working hard or are we hardly working people?? You know yourselves better than anyone. You know what surroundings you’re comfortable in. We suggest observing a class activity, or speaking with students to get a clear image of the atmosphere. One of the most important things to see is the “Student Salon,” or practical learning area, where students can complete hands-on practical work to build their professional portfolios. See what the school has to offer for YOUR desired program!

Okay Queens, that’s all we got for you today. Thanks for sticking with us! We love sharing knowledge with you. Stay tuned for next week, QTs 🙂

Toodles! <3