Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Lake Villa IL

How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Lake Villa Illinois

nail technicians training at Lake Villa IL beauty school Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lake Villa IL, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Villa home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Lake Villa IL makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Lake Villa IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and work in a wide range of specializations including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Lake Villa IL hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two avenues available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Lake Villa IL business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Lake Villa IL Online beauty classes are convenient for Lake Villa IL students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs

Questions to ask Lake Villa IL beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lake Villa IL home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 60046 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lake Villa IL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lake Villa IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a hair salon in Lake Villa IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s crucial that she or he receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Lake Villa IL businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lake Villa IL?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Lake Villa IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Lake Villa, Illinois

According to the 2010 census, Lake Villa has a total area of 6.994 square miles (18.11 km2), of which 6.19 square miles (16.03 km2) (or 88.5%) is land and 0.804 square miles (2.08 km2) (or 11.5%) is water.[6]

The village lies in a gently rolling moraine landscape, dominated by lakes of glacial origin. Among these are Cedar Lake, north of the village center, and Deep Lake, to the east. There are several smaller lakes and ponds, along with a complement of wetlands. The lakes and ponds have been important in Lake Villa's historic tourist industry, and over the years led to a small ice industry.

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 5,864 people, 2,052 households, and 1,594 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,024.4 people per square mile (395.8/km²). There were 2,135 housing units at an average density of 373.0 per square mile (144.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 92.94% White, 2.47% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.09% of the population.

Find the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Lake Villa IL

Lake Villa IL barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lake Villa IL.