For those who aspire to have a career as a hair professional, choosing the right school is paramount.
There are a huge number of cosmetology schools across the country; all competing for your tuition dollars. The decision about where to get your beauty education can be truly overwhelming. There is so much to think about; with location, training quality, cost and graduate employability all major contributing factors to your eventual success.
Paul Mitchell Schools are one of the leading names in hair and beauty education. Based on the experience and teachings of the legendary hair designer and hair professional Paul Mitchell, students are promised a high quality training experience.
In this review, we will discuss the qualities you should look for in a leading hair school, before detailing what you can expect should you enroll at Paul Mitchell Hair School.
What to Look for in a Hair School
If you are yearning for a career in the hair industry, it is vital to get the right education and training to set you on the path to success. Top beauty schools are those that will provide quality training, alongside the guidance, support and technical skills you will need for your dream career.
When searching for a quality school, make sure to check out the following:
History of Paul Mitchell Schools
The Paul Mitchell story began in 1980, when two close friends, Paul Mitchell and John Paul DeJoria, decided to start a company that would support hair stylists in becoming the best they can be. With a small investment of only $700, they designed, created and launched a unique hair care system which was made up of three products. These were simply named “Shampoo One”, “Shampoo Two” and “The Conditioner”. The products were manufactured in plain black and white packaging, as color printing was too expensive.
From day one, both Paul and John aspired to contribute to the education of new generations of stylists. As their sales grew and the company expanded, they assembled a solid team of experienced stylists and outstanding educators. One of the team members was Winn Claybaugh, a motivational speaker and business consultant. Winn worked closely alongside Paul and John to shape the future of the company.
Sadly, in 1989, Paul Mitchell died of pancreatic cancer. John DeJoria took over and tirelessly marketed the company, maintaining the level of success they had been enjoying.
In the year 2000, John Paul DeJoria and Winn Claybaugh were ready to create the iconic Paul Mitchell Schools. Starting with only one location, Paul Mitchell Schools now have more than 100 locations across the United States. They are considered one of the most prestigious cosmetology schools in existence today.
Hair Programs at Paul Mitchell Schools
Paul Mitchell Schools offer a wide variety of programs for aspiring beauty professionals and future educators. For the purposes of this review, we will focus upon the available hair programs.
These programs may not be provided in all Paul Mitchell School locations, so be sure to check the availability at your nearest school.
Cosmetology Program
Cosmetologists offer personal care and beauty services for their clients. These services can be wide ranging, covering hair, skin and nails. Cosmetologists may also choose to specialize in a particular professional field. Common positions for cosmetologist graduates are: estheticians, hair stylists, manicurists, pedicurists and makeup artists.
This career is best suited to individuals who have creative flair and an eye for detail. Customer service and people skills are also a must. Cosmetologists will spend every moment of their day working up close with clients, so they must be adept at different personalities and requirements.
Paul Mitchell Schools aim to prepare their cosmetology students, or “future professionals”, for fulfilling and successful careers in the cosmetology industry. They employ only highly experienced and qualified “learning leaders” to guide the students through three consecutive levels of training: Core, Adaptive and Creative. Each one of these levels builds upon the skills that have been learned previously. This enables the students to gain the confidence to gradually take on more advanced techniques, without becoming overwhelmed.
Areas Covered Include:
It takes around 1500 hours of study to complete the program.
How Much Does It Cost?
Below are the cost outlines for the cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell School.
Tuition:
$16,925.00
Application Fee (nonrefundable):
$75.00
Kit, Equipment, Textbook, Supplies (nonrefundable):
$3,333.00
Drop Fee:
$150.00
Barbering Program
Barbers are responsible for the cleansing, cutting and styling of short, generally male hair. This includes beard shaving and sometimes facials. Depending upon your state, barbers can also bleach and color their client’s hair.
If you aspire to become a barber, you must attend a specific training program and gain your barbering license. Depending on the state, you can get a barber license upon completion of a cosmetology program. In others, you must complete a specific barbering program.
Paul Mitchell School offers an in-depth, three level program for ambitious future barbers. Their multifaceted curriculum provides hands-on training in both techniques and business skills, to ensure their graduates have the best chance at success. Students are supported throughout the program and beyond; ready to start their professional careers with a wealth of practical knowledge and experience in their pocket.
Successful students will leave Paul Mitchell School barbering program with the following skills:
It takes 1500 hours to complete this program.
How Much Does It Cost?
Below are the cost outlines for the cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell School.
Tuition:
$16,995.00
Books
$300.00
Supplies
$2,934.00
Uniform
$30.00
State License Fee:
$25.00
Student Badge Fee:
$6.00
Application Fee (nonrefundable):
$100.00
Registration Fee:
$50.00
Teaching Style at Paul Mitchell Schools
The old adage “practice makes perfect” is key to learning and mastering any new skill.
At Paul Mitchell Schools, classes are conducted in a working salon environment, filled with opportunities for hands-on experience. This provides students with the most efficient way to transfer theory based materials, to real, practical skills.
The school salons have real client bases and function exactly like any Paul Mitchell Salon across the world. Students can build their confidence working independently with clients, under the supervision of an educator.
It is not only technical hair skills that are taught in Paul Mitchell Schools. Students are well educated in real-world sales, marketing, retail and business finance basics – so they are fully prepared for their professional life upon graduation.
Paul Mitchell Schools Graduate Employability
One of the biggest selling points of attending a Paul Mitchell School is the brand itself. Paul Mitchell is one of the leading names in hair and beauty, having been so for over 30 years. The company has a network of more than 100,000 salons across 81 countries worldwide. Every year, Paul Mitchell Schools create 10,000 more graduates, ready to go and start their new professional lives with their reputable name on their resume.
While students are still in school, they have access to a vast array of supportive resources to enhance their career prospects further. Everything from career fairs and industry experts are brought into campus to help students create a network of contacts for when they graduate.
This comprehensive program of career support and placement assistance available for all students and graduates:
- One-on-one counselling
- Resume and portfolio advice
- Professional Career Fairs
- Career Specialist Advisors
- Q&As with leading names and industry experts
Once you have graduated, the opportunities abound. The beauty and hair industry is one of the fastest growing in current times, meaning there will continue to be demand for skilled professionals. Furthermore, having immediate access to the Paul Mitchell Salon network skyrockets the chances of employment after graduation.
There are a wide number of different avenues that graduates can seek to find an employment position upon leaving school.
Salon Industry
- Hair stylist
- Barber
- Salon Manager
- Salon Owner
Entertainment Industry
- Theatre
- Music
- Film
- Television
- Celebrity
- Fashion Shoots
- Runway Shows
- Cruise Ships
Grants & Scholarships at Paul Mitchell Schools
Paul Mitchell School offer many types of financial aid to support future professionals in achieving their dreams. They have a dedicated financial aid office to assist potential students in applying for financial aid.
Common financial options include:
- Federal Grants
- Federal Direct Stafford Student Loans (subsidized/unsubsidized)
- Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
- Veteran Administration (VA) Benefits
- Scholarships
- Private Loans
- Institutional Financing
Federal Grants
Grants are sometimes referred to as “gift aid” because they are seen as free money, which is not required to be repaid. Federal Pell grants are awarded to mostly undergraduate students which have not completed a degree.
The amount awarded by Federal Pell grants is subject to change year on year. The amount available is not always the amount which is received. This will depend upon personal circumstances such as: cost of attendance, financial need, full/part time status and how long you plan to attend school. You can only get Federal Pell grant funds from one school at any one time.
Students who have lost a parent or guardian to military service in Afghanistan or Iraq after 9/11 may be eligible for extra Federal Pell grant funds. Students must have been under 24 years of age and enrolled in college at the time.
Loans
Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are federal loans for eligible students who need assistance to cover their school fees.
Subsidized Loans:
- Available to undergraduate students who have a financial need
- Amounts borrowed are determined by the school
- U.S Department of Education covers the interest on the loan for at least 50% of the time the student is in school, for 6 months after leaving and during any deferment periods
Unsubsidized loans:
- Available to both undergraduate and graduate students. It is not necessary to show a financial need
- School determines how much can be borrowed. This is based upon attendance cost and other financial aid recieved
- Student is responsible for paying the interest
- Interest not paid while in school is added to the total amount of the loan
Scholarships
Most scholarships are different from grants because they are usually awarded based on the merit of the student – rather than financial need. Merit based scholarships could be awarded due to a high achievement in academia or sport.
In some cases, students may be eligible for scholarships because of where their parents are employed, such as the military. There are many different types of scholarships available and students can apply for as many as they wish. The amount granted may not be enough to cover all fees, but it will certainly help towards the cost of an education.
All students are aided in completing the application forms and advised of requirements necessary to maintain financial aid.
These usually are:
- Keeping satisfactory progress through the program
- Completing classes on time
- Staying on track with the program timetable
How to Apply To Study at Paul Mitchell Schools
So, you have decided you would like to start your career by attending a Paul Mitchell School. The next step is to complete the admission process:
- Fill out application form (available online or directly from the school)
- Submit the application fee
- Submit two passport style photographs
- Include an entrance essay that outlines your career goals and achievements
- Complete an entrance interview
- Provide required verification documentation (education certificates, birth certificate, driver's license etc)
Paul Mitchell Schools usually only accept students who are high school graduates or have completed their high school graduation equivalency certificates (GEDs).
Conclusion
Deciding upon the best hair school for your needs is not a walk in the park. If you want to get ahead in your career, a quality and respected education is key. As we have seen, Paul Mitchell Schools offer some of the most experienced and highly regarded beauty educators in the industry. They offer hands-on training in a salon environments, as well as access to employment opportunities in a huge global network of company salons for their graduates.
With this in mind, we believe Paul Mitchell Hair School is a great choice for budding professional hairstylists.