Question: How do you choose the program or school that best meets your needs and interests?

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the options that are presented to you. After a while the advertisements all look the same and the proliferation of fabulous new approaches can make you dizzy. Not to mention the false promises of spectacular job placement and full financial aid benefits. We have found that the best way to find what is right for you requires a multidisciplinary approach in selecting a school or program. It begins by knowing the right questions to ask to determine what your needs are and which school or approach will work best for you.  Questions like is this school going to teach you the most up to date information from professors who are currently working in the field? Will this school meet my location and scheduling needs? Can I afford to attend school here?

Do you perform better in a smaller school with more personalized attention or do you prefer a large school with a lot of students that you can interact with? Does the school schedule offer you the flexibility you need or do you prefer a more rigid schedule to keep you on track? Is it affordable and are there payment plans? How much will the financing add to the total cost of your program? Your answers to these questions are also important because it will influence your ability to graduate and successfully begin your practice.

Next and maybe most importantly, you need to question your individual needs. There have been many instances where a prospective student decided on a school and career path because of the pressure of others. Once they completed their education and began to work in the field, they realized they didn’t want to be doing that particular job. You need to decide what it is you want to do before you commit to a program and eventually a position that you will end up regretting.

Many times students don’t take a look at the projected job market. If the program of study you decided on is saturated with other prospective job hunters much like yourself, how will you set yourself apart from them? If you had attended a different school, would that have swayed your prospective employer’s decision on whether or not to hire you? This is where the experience and reputation of the school is an important consideration as a guideline. It is always a good idea to check with past graduates as well as other practitioners to find out about the quality of the programs. Ask about employment. Did they easily find a job in their field after graduation? You will want to ask the student how their training prepared them for their current position.

The final issue to think about is the atmosphere. If you’re having fun while learning you’re going to do better. If you like your classmates connect with your professors and genuinely are interested and excited to come to school every day, you’re going to excel.

All of these concerns and questions can be answered by our Spa Tech Institute advisement counselors, our past graduates, current students and our professors. We look forward to helping you make this decision and look forward to helping you in the future.