5 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Cosmetology School in Renton

If you’re passionate about hair, makeup, and beauty, you may be interested in going through a cosmetology program to set you up for a successful career in the field. When you’re looking for the right school, it’s important that you ask all the right questions, which may include these.

Not all beauty schools are created equal. Even more so than in some other fields, it’s extremely important that you ask questions during the application process to ensure that you have the real-world experience that will allow you to take your education and turn it into a career. Regardless of what cosmetology career looks like as your dream career, here are five questions you can ask to make sure you’re choosing the right school.

1. What level of commitment is expected from students?

It’s very common for beauty schools to operate only on a full-time basis. Not all schools are prepared for a student body that is only available part-time. If you have a family, work, or other commitments, some beauty schools may expect you to take time off to attend class.

However, this isn’t the case for every school. Some schools may provide night courses, weekend classes, or part-time schedules that can help students who aren’t able to go full-time during the normal 9–5 schedule. Especially if you’re hoping to move into the beauty industry because of its flexibility, these schedule options can be very important.

2. How expensive is the course?

Asking about costs early on can feel shallow, but it’s extremely important for many students. Your financial options may be limited; while you may be excited about a rewarding career, you may also not have a lot of money set aside to pay for schooling right now. No matter how much you want that beauty school diploma, it may not be available if you don’t have the money.

The good news is that, in most cases, there are plenty of financial aid opportunities available. This may include scholarships, payment plans, and federal financial aid for some schools. This is one of the things you can ask the recruiter when you have a meeting with them.

3. What does the curriculum cover?

Most of the time, the only requirement for a beauty school’s curriculum is that they prepare you to pass the written and practical exam for a cosmetology license. This usually means giving you a certain number of hands-on apprenticeship hours and teaching you the very basics. However, if you’re looking to pursue a career in beauty, the basics probably won’t meet your needs.

You should know your career goals before you ask this question because different skills may be important for different careers. A general cosmetologist may need to know hair coloring, while a spa worker may also need to know hair removal, and an on-set movie cosmetologist may also be expected to have some nail tech experience.

4. What qualifications are required for the instructors?

It’s important that you’re able to get information from experienced instructors who understand the beauty industry and know how to prepare you for your licensing exam. While there may not be many specific requirements for beauty school instructors, you should expect that they’re themselves licensed and have some experience in the field.

Different schools will have different requirements to be a general instructor and an assistant instructor. However, you should generally feel confident that the people they’ve chosen will be able to guide you toward becoming a successful beauty professional in your field.

5. What are the school’s facilities like?

Early on in the enrollment process, you’ll likely get a chance to tour the school that you’re thinking about attending. During this tour, it’s important that you take a look at all the facilities. Does it seem like there’s enough space for you to learn? Are the facilities clean and well-attended?

During your school education, you’re also going to need hands-on experience. That means it’s important to look into the student salon options at your school. What are the hours? Do they meet your needs? What are the program options when it comes to utilizing these facilities? Can you choose to work at the student salon for more than your required hours? For those taking evening courses, what times are available to get this experience?

Get the full cosmetology school experience

To get the best possible cosmetology school experience, it’s important that you attend a school that meets your needs. The good news is that there are many different cosmetology schools out there and, therefore, many different opportunities. If you’re looking for a great cosmetology school in Renton, check out Evergreen Beauty College’s Renton campus. Evergreen Beauty College will provide you with a great starting point for your future career.

FAQ: Looking for a cosmetology school in Renton

What prerequisites do you need to have before attending cosmetology school?

Most of the time, the only prerequisites you need are to have a GED or high school diploma and to be at least 18 years old. In almost every case, you don’t need any existing cosmetology experience to enroll in cosmetology school. If you do need any kind of experience, the recruitment specialist will let you know when you start the process.

What programs are available for cosmetologists?

There are many different programs available for people who want to become part of the beauty industry. Those programs may include barbering, esthetics, cosmetology, hair styling, and nail technician programs, among others. If you’re hoping to specialize in a specific cosmetology field, it may be a good idea to look at a program that will provide you with hours of training in that specialty.

How do I decide between different cosmetology schools?

The choice of what cosmetology school is “the best” is an incredibly personal one. Many different schools will provide you with a very high-quality beauty education. You may want to consider components like the physical location of the school, the cost of attending school, the financial aid options, the specialties available, and the beauty experts on their team.