You may be thinking of beauty school as nothing but instruction in the finer points of hairspray, hair dye, lipstick, and eye shadow, but the curriculum goes beyond the information you’d find in the pages of your favorite fashion magazines. Beauty schools students learn about anatomy, chemistry, sanitation, and infection control. Some programs also require business and communications courses to help students who wish to own their own salons.

If you are thinking about applying to beauty school, most programs will require that you be at least seventeen years of age and have either a high school diploma or a GED. To attend a program at a community college, you’ll probably need to take a placement test measuring your skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. The reading and writing portion of the test is to determine your ability to handle college level information. The mathematics portion of the test will measure your knowledge of integers, fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages, and statistics.

Completing Your Beauty School Application

Beauty school enrollment deadlines vary widely. Some schools start a new program only once per year, while others let you enroll in either the fall or spring semester. Private beauty school programs may even have new classes starting once a month. Space is usually limited in each class group, so you may be placed on a wait list if your first choice of a starting date is not available.

When applying to beauty school, remember that many private cosmetology programs have nonrefundable application and enrollment fees. These fees can range from $50 to $200. If you are on a tight budget, narrow your list of schools carefully before you apply.

If you are in need of financial aid to attend beauty school, keep in mind that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is separate from your beauty school admissions application. To complete the form, you will need information from your previous year’s tax return and your parents’ tax return unless you meet the criteria for being an independent student. There is no charge to complete the FAFSA, but there are specific filing deadlines that you must meet. For additional information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Financial Aid website or contact the financial aid department at the school you wish to attend.

Campus Interviews

Some beauty schools require students to complete an interview before they are offered admission. Even if you are not required to have an on campus interview, however, it is still a good idea to visit the school before you enroll in classes. You can learn a lot about a program by checking out student reviews and the school’s website, but nothing can replace a campus visit in helping you decide if a particular school is a good fit for you. If a school doesn’t “feel right” to you when you visit, it will be hard for you to make the most of your career training.