If you are on the hunt for ultrasound technician schools in California, you picked a great place to further your career. Not only is the state home to a vibrant and growing medical community, the educational opportunities are abundant.
For ultrasound professionals, the opportunity to break into a rewarding career is growing. With an increasing aging population, hospitals and clinics are facing growing need for talented technicians. Advancements in ultrasound technology have also allowed medical professionals to use sonography in other areas of medicine, such as cardiosonography and imaging of vital internal organs.
All of the above factors make for an outstanding job outlook. For those willing to spend roughly 18 months in a quality educational program, opportunities will abound upon graduation. There are however, a few things to keep in mind before enrolling in ultrasound technician schools in California.
Tour Campuses in Your Area
The best way to get a feel for a potential school is touring the campus. You’ll want to feel like the community on campus is set up for your success. Are the facilities updated? Do the sonography training classrooms mimic a clinical setting? You’re going to spend a lot of time on campus and it’s important to ensure you’ll be comfortable and inspired.
Get the Numbers
There are a plenty of statistics that should play a major role in choosing a school in your area. Among the most important would be student-to-professor ratio. You don’t want to feel like a minnow in a massive school of fish. Students should have access to professors in the classroom and the opportunity to work directly with instructors.
Of course success rates are another very important factor. Ask your perspective school how many graduates are going into full-time positions within a few months of graduation. If your school offers internships or job placement, find out how many graduates are actually placed into positions.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid
Ultrasound technician schools in California are a major investment. It’s crucial to not only know how much your tuition will cost, but what financial aid options are available through the school of your school. Ideally, scholarships and grants will cover a nice chunk of your costs, but not all schools are eligible to offer government-sponsored grants. Get a detailed explanation of what options will be available to you once you are accepted into a program.
If loans are your only option, make sure you are getting the lowest interest rate possible as well as a fair repayment plan.
Narrow Down and Apply Early
You’ve probably hear that old saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” That little adage is doubly true when it comes to choosing a school. Once all the above-mentioned research is knocked out of the way, apply to two, maybe three schools, depending on how much you are willing to spend on application fees. If you get shot down by one school, you’ll be glad you have another application or two in the pipeline.
Applying early is also a good idea. If you somehow forgot to submit needed documentation, or are asked to provide more supporting materials, you’ll want some time to supply any additional information without having to worry about the application deadline.