Is it ethically required to deny enrollment or not?
As an admission representative you may have a gut feeling someone may not be a successful student. Is it ethically required to deny enrollment or not?
That is a loaded question. We are trying to make assumptions based upon information that has been made available to us or assumptions based upon our own assumptions or prejudices. We need to be very careful when engaging in this disucssion with an individual. Our approach is to offer the individual who is on the fence a no-risk try-before-you-buy with a safety net.
Our school does not require an individual to have a high school diploma or GED prior to enrollment. As a result, we have to explain and demonstrate, in considerable detail the curriculum utilized as well as the expected outcomes. The purpose of the discussion is to allow the individual to take ownership of the question of his or her ability and preparedness.
We also remind the individual, per our refund policy that the school offers a first week opt-out period with no financial penalty. The opt-out week provides the opportunity for the indivual to "test drive" the course to determine whether or not he or she feels confident to continue. Again, we desire the individual to take owneship of that decision.
The outcomes have been two-fold. Few individuals decide to quit. Many more figure out that their abilities far exceed even their own expectations. They satisfactorily complete training and move on to successful careers. That is a win-win situation.
