How to Choose the Right Beauty School for You
Written by Sarah Mattie, Lead Editor of Beauty Schools Directory
If you’re here, chances are you’re ready to jump into beauty school! Starting beauty school is such an important step and an investment in yourself.
Taking the time to properly research and choose the best beauty school for you is so important. Even if there are some well-known schools in your area, it’s a mistake to automatically assume that those are the “best” schools.
Here, we’ll talk about some significant things to consider when choosing a beauty school that’s the right fit for you.
Practical Considerations: What Do You Need from a Beauty School?
Before you can follow your heart in picking a great beauty school, you need to follow your head. This means figuring out what you need from a beauty program before digging into options.
Here are the types of things to consider when deciding on a beauty school.
Programs Offered: Does the school have a program in the field you want? Even if you live right down the street from an awesome cosmetology school, if you want to be a barber and the school doesn’t offer a barbering program, that school isn’t for you.
Class Schedules Offered: If you’re a stay-at-home parent or have work schedules to
accommodate, you may be looking for particular class schedules, such as evening classes. On the other hand, if you work nights or weekends, classes that meet during those hours are probably off-limits.
Luckily, many beauty schools have a couple of class schedules available; be sure to look at those class schedule options.
Cost: Know how much you can afford to spend on beauty school. This may mean taking certain schools you love out of the running.
That said, look at financial aid before you rule out a school—maybe you can afford it with just a little help. Many schools have a financial aid representative who can walk you through those options and what they mean.
Instructional Quality: Will you get a good education at this beauty school? Not all schools are created equal or worth the cost! Before choosing a school, check reviews to see what former students think, or talk to alumni.
Location: How far are you willing to travel to get to your beauty classes on a regular basis? Is it in a place you feel safe going to? If a school meets your location needs, you can add it to the list.
State Approval: This is a biggie. Does the school have state approval to provide training for that program? You can usually find a list of state-approved beauty schools on the state’s cosmetology board, barber board, or similar agency website. If that’s unavailable or seems outdated, you can also contact the department directly.
Schools that aren’t approved by the state may not qualify you for licensure, if what you are studying requires a license to practice in your state.
Reputation or Brand Name: Do you care if the school has a recognizable name, either locally or nationally? You may have a career goal that requires a certain type of school—for example, those who choose Aveda Institutes likely believe strongly in sustainability and natural, plant- based ingredients in hair or skincare and may be shooting for a job in an Aveda salon after graduating.
Evaluating the X-Factors
Once you’ve checked off all the boxes among your must-haves, you can move on to what you want to find in a program. Even a school that meets all your needs may not feel right for you—and that’s okay! You need to feel like you’re going to succeed before you enroll in a beauty school that’s right on paper.
While everyone’s wants will be different, here are a few intangible things to consider when picking a beauty school:
- Does the school give you a “good vibe” when you visit? That is, do you feel comfortable and inspired when you’re there?
- Do the students look like they’re in good moods? Do you like the culture and feel you would learn well in this environment?
- Is the school near restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, or any other place you’d want to hang out and study if you have the time?
- Is the school in line with your belief system? For instance, if diversity is important to you, does it seem to walk the talk when it comes to what they say about their dedication to that topic?
Steps to Finding the Right Beauty School for You
If that feels overwhelming, you may find it helpful to have a step-by-step guide to researching beauty programs:
1. Find out what’s in your area. Do a quick Google Search or check out Beauty Schools Directory, the web’s most comprehensive list of U.S. beauty schools, to create a list of candidate beauty schools near you for your desired program.
2. Narrow down your list. Once you’ve figured out what’s near you, use the guidelines
from earlier in this piece to weed out schools that don’t meet your needs and desires.
3. Read reviews. Look at reviews on sites such as Google or Yelp to find out what people think about the school. Be sure to read student reviews more than client reviews after receiving services in the student salon—though client reviews can still give you an indirect idea of how well the students are supported or perform, as well as how welcoming or clean the facilities are.
4. Contact beauty schools on your short list. Reach out to schools individually (often there are forms on school websites) to ask questions and set up a meeting if you feel
this could be a good fit. A shortcut is to submit your information on Beauty Schools
Directory to get matched to up to several schools in your area, and those admissions
reps will contact you.
5. Visit your finalist schools. You can’t really know a school until you enter its doors. Don’t feel anxious about this, as school staff want you to visit. See the location, get a tour of the facilities, ask questions, and make sure it passes the vibe check. Continue narrowing down your list using the information you get from these visits.
6. Discuss financial aid options. The school should have a staff member who can talk to you about your beauty school cost and financial aid options. Remember: A school you can’t afford isn’t the school for you, no matter how awesome it is! But getting financial help could keep you from removing a favorite from your list.
Conclusion
Beauty school success starts with finding the right program for you. Be sure the school you choose meets all your needs and at least some of your wants. Remember, you want to be excited with your choice of school! Start your search with a wide net and narrow your list as you learn more about your beauty school options.
Importantly, always visit a school before signing any papers or sending money. Going to a school and talking directly to their staff can keep you from a world of hurt.
We’re thrilled to see another passionate person enter beauty school! Good luck!
