Honesty truly is the best policy. And the fact that there are secret shoppers to ensure that schools are doing what they are supposed to be doing is something that I am glad is in place but sad that it has to be done. I understand the reasoning behind it as I have heard so many stories of things that students have been told.
Transparency is the key when recruiting, and conducting ourselves in an up-front and honest manner. We want to live by the Golden Rule of "Treat others as you want to be treated (if not even better)." If you put yourself in the shoes of the student, then you usually can't go wrong.
It is important to give correct and truthful information and to follow all state and federal guidelines with contacting students and never to make and promises about programs or guarantee they will make certain amounts or even gain employment.
Accurate honest information is extremely critical when dealing with students. Words matter, and how you frame information to students can be misleading, even if that was not the intention.
Competition is everywhere, schools are not exempt from this fact. It is okay for schools to be proud of their successes. The foundation of their reputation is integrity. Be honest, encouraging and provide facts. Facts that reflect the "normal" achievement, not the "extraordinary" are appreciated by students. If you want to "set the student up for success" then provide timely and honest information.
Transparency is essential to represent the school, classes sizes, prices, graduation rate.
