Travis ,
Your'e right Travis, it is really in the best interest of students to clearly communicate expectations in the beginning - expectations from the school, the program and employers, as well as expectations that the student has of the program, school and workplace. It is both an opportunity and challenge to balance all of those expectations.
Jay Hollowell
I like to disclose that some of the management programs can be challenging as well as the certification test. I believe that knowing going in can help the student with expectations. This really goes for all programs, and I think that being truthful about the course work and course load will be equally beneficial.
For me it would be accurate employment rates; after all, the reason why students are attending college is to obtain employment in the field of their choice.
Tim,
Many agree with you that the disclosure regarding employment is the most important to the students to understand especially since their goal is to develop a new career.
Cindy Bryant
Ten years is a long time to wait!
I would place the most emphasis on the expectations of employment. By making the demands and rewards of the profession clear to a prospective student, a link can be established that supports all of the behaviors that make the student successful. Professionalism, timeliness, perseverence, mutual respect and reliability lead to success for students and professionals.
Joshua,
You mentioned that your school is tuition free, how is this possible? Prey tell more.
Cindy Bryant
I would have to disclose that although our school is tuition free, the time requirement could be just as much of a burden. Our students are in class for 8 hours a day M-F for 2 years. The fulltime education can make secular employment difficult and also since the course is tuition free we do not have financial aid available to help with living expenses.
If I had one disclosure to present and emphasize to the student, it would be the requirements for graduation.
The number one problem at my institution is not placement, but attendance and maintaining the Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students have to understand how intense the program is, the time commitment that they will have to dedicate to to it throughout the program, from homework, quizzes, term assignments, etc. Most importantly, in my opinion, they have to understand the attendance/tardiness and early departure policy.
I work at a private institution where the majority of the students are international. Their student visas are dependent on being in their seat 80% of the time. For the domestic students on Title IV, their attendance is even higher. There are severe consequences for students not meeting their end of the enrollment contract.
There were a few mentions about how sometimes students are looking for the easy way out. While it's not my personal motto in life, it's more common than I care to admit. I do not like to see a student terminated for grades or attendance. Students have to take responsibility for their decision, as an administrator and educator, it is our responsibility that student be properly informed.
Jason,
Students are not afraid of hard work but you have an excellent point...they need to have expectations clearly defined.
Cindy Bryant
While I see the direct value in other responses, to me the time and commitment necessary to be successful in the program is very high on my list because coming to school entails so many changes to schedules, attitude, punctuality, perseverance and finances.
So, while employment rates, completion rates, certifications etc. are all extremely important, giving prospective students a reality check before commitment is key.
If I had to choose one disclosure I would make sure the prospective student fully underdtands the academic requirements and how strenuous the courses can be. We have had students drop because it was so much harder academically than they expected it to be.
I am not a financial aid employee, however, this is the one area I would ensure our students are well educated in before they would make a decision in enrolling. There is a lot of information students must understand and become educated prior to enrolling regarding their tuition investment and the impact they could face if they are not responsible. This is very important because they must be prepared to face the challenges of debt if any and or be prepared to handle this financial responsibility upon graduation. Helping them understand how interest rates work, and how making payments on time is vital to their success at the end may help the student feel more prepared and ready to make the commitment.
Nyssa,
As the economy begins to right size itself it will be interesting to see how the Federal Government will cope with the inflation and rising interest rates. Hopefully, they will recognize the burden and keep the interest rares low.
Cindy Bryant
Unfortunately, unless something is done at the Federal level, student debt could become more burdensome for our graduates. There was a chance to keep interest rates low - which is very important for encouraging people to pursue education - but somehow, the government missed the opportunity to do so.
The most important disclosure that we give students is that we cannot guarantee employment or a specific salary. That would give students a false expectation if they thought they were 100% going to be employed after completing our program.
Nyssa,
You have made a choice that has the most far reaching ramifications if not handled well. Financial Aid impacts a student's ability to move forward in accomplishing their goals if their credit is adversely affected.
Cindy Bryant
I think the one I would choose - and it's a difficult choice - would be finance/financial aid. Student loans don't have the same impact as having to dig into your personal resources to pay for school - and those costs add up fast. The last thing a school would want is students who are unaware of their payback obligations. When students get "in over their heads," borrowing more than they might be able to repay, up go the default rates. Furthermore, students will have a far clearer idea of whether a program is worthwhile to them if they have a realistic sense of the cost. While employment/placement rates are highly important, some idea of employability can be obtained through diligent research, interviewing targeted employers, and even the US Department of Labor's Occupational Titles books (or online). Some states have their own Departments of Labor where one may obtain more regional information.
By the way, one poster put cost and employability disclosures together as a single choice, and I think this is very timely. The gainful employment rules firmly link the two. And more scrutiny is being aimed at career schools in light of cost vs. gain.
Susan,
Excellent choice. Education is conceptual that does not have an immediate reward. In today's society people are used to immediate gratification and become disillusioned when they have to wait for the reward. A solution may be making sure that the short goals are attainable.
Cindy Bryant
If I had only one disclosure, it would be to emphasize the amount of time and dedication it takes to complete a program. So many times it seems students get excited about a particular program, but may lose steam along the way because the end is not near. I think it is important for students to fully understand (accurately) that a program will take a significant portion of their time and commitment.
