Your Barber School Tour Checklist

Considering going to barber school? It can be a great career to choose, given that people will always need haircuts. However, selecting the right school can be a bit of a challenge.

Part of the process of making a decision should be a campus tour, but what are you looking for? Here’s your campus tour checklist so you can make the right decision.

Ask the Right Questions

These days, most basic information is on the website, and you should be checking it in advance. However, it is worth asking a few questions. These include:

• What financial aid might I be able to get?
• What is the total cost, including the cost of the kit, textbooks, uniforms, etc.
• What are the schedule options?
• What kind of barbering is taught?
• How long does it usually take to finish the course for both full-time and part-time options?
• Do students work on real clients?
• What is the student-to-instructor ratio? 8 to 1 or better is best.
• How much clinic time is there?
• What is your pass rate for the licensing exam?
• What career support do you offer after graduation?
• Can I see one of the barber kits you sell or give to students? What’s in the kit, and how it looks when new, can tell you a lot about a school and its priorities.

They should be expecting these kinds of questions and answer without hesitation or, in most cases, needing to look something up.

Talk To Students

Talk to as many existing students as you can corner, and not just the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed one giving the tour…they wouldn’t be doing it if they weren’t enthusiastic. You are not just fishing for the quality of instruction here, but for the culture and feel of the school. You want to make sure this is a place where you will fit in.

Ask them what its really like not just to study here but to spend time on campus. Some schools may let you shadow a student for a day to see what’s going on.

You can also ask to talk to alumni, so you can ask about their experience and about their career prospects afterwards.

Leave

We mean it. Schedule some time to explore the neighborhood immediately around the school. What options are there for lunch? Is there somewhere you can take a break? Where’s the nearest ATM?

Location does matter. And also travel to and from the tour from home or work, following the same route you would to get to class, so you can properly assess the commute and how it will be when you’re in the program. You want to know how long it really takes, not Google’s estimates. If you’re taking evening classes and your tour was during the day, or vice versa, do a test commute at the time you would be traveling before you commit.

Check out the Student Salon

You’ll be spending quite a bit of time in the student salon, so make sure to check it out thoroughly. Get a feel for it, explore the equipment, look at the quality of haircuts people are getting (this will show you the quality of instruction in a direct way). Count styling stations and assess whether you’ll get enough time, and make sure everything is working well. There should be 1.5 to 2 stations per student.

Maybe talk to a couple of customers, especially if you can find regulars. People choose student salons, typically, in part to save money, but if people keep coming back, then you know the students are doing good work…and by extension, the teachers are doing their job.

Do the students look engaged or bored? And is the atmosphere competitive or collaborative? How long are clients waiting for services?

Ask to See Portfolios

Some schools may have portfolio displays and portfolios may be online, but you want to look at as many student portfolios and before/after photos as you can, showing their progress through their training.

One “bad” portfolio might indicate a weak student, but a pattern of them indicates weak instruction. Reluctance to show portfolios also says something…and not a good thing. Portfolios can also give you a feel for the overall “style” the school might be instilling in students.

Observe Classroom Teaching

While clinic floor training is important, classroom teaching matters too. You will likely spend quite a few hours in the classroom, so try to observe classroom teaching. What is the instructor’s style? Is it more of a lecture or more interactive?

You want a classroom learning style that suits the way you learn as much as possible. Also, ask about online options for lectures and theory, which may save a lot of commute time if they are available. Other people prefer to learn in person as much as they can.

Look at the vibe and level of comfort between instructors and students in general, both in and out of the classroom. Make sure everything looks solid and comfortable, with good lighting and a pleasant learning environment.

Feel the Vibe

First of all, the school campus should be busy, especially at peak hours. If it’s too quiet, then that might indicate low enrollment. If there aren’t clients waiting in the salon, that might indicate poor-quality services.

But beyond that, you should be thinking about whether this is a place you can see yourself spending time. Different schools have different cultures and energy levels, and you want to find one that matches you. If the school has multiple campuses within range, consider touring more than one, as they may feel different (or one may turn out to be much easier to get to than the other when you actually do it).

Some people like a bit of a more competitive environment, while others prefer a focus on teamwork. You might prefer to sit and listen to lectures, or thrive on interaction with instructors in smaller groups. The right school for you will support your learning style and cultural preferences, while providing a high-quality education to start off your career as a barber.

Ready To Get Started?

If you are in Tampa or Valrico, you can tour Shear Excellence Hair Academy and find out more about our barber (and other beauty) courses and whether we are the right choice for you. Contact us today to find out more about our programs or schedule your tour.