Students Dilemma Essay Example
Students Dilemma Essay Example

Students Dilemma Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (501 words)
  • Published: September 2, 2016
  • Type: Analysis
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The choice of whether to cheat or not is now faced by Helen Kanell, who has been an exceptional student throughout college with a perfect grade point average. However, as she nears the end of her college journey, Helen's grades have suffered due to the added responsibilities of leading Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting student honor society. Recognizing her struggles, Helen's close friend decides to assist her by obtaining a copy of the final exam through theft and passing it on to her. Now the question remains: should Helen choose to cheat or uphold her integrity?

Helen has two options regarding the test. If she chooses to use it and passes, she will make an A in the class, graduate summa cum laude, and continue her career at Big & Apple LLC without any consequences. However, if she uses t

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he test and fails because the teacher finds out, she will most likely be removed as president of Beta Alpha Psi, graduate without the summa cum laude distinction, and still proceed with her career at Big & Apple LLC unless the company discovers her unethical behavior. If that were to happen, Helen would lose her newly accepted job opportunity.

So, is it worth using the test? Now, imagine that Helen takes a moment and considers her ethical responsibilities. These responsibilities are primarily to herself, but also extend to her fellow classmates, her professor, her parents, Beta Alpha Psi, Empire State University, and Big & Apple LLC. I believe that she would come to the realization that she has already come a long way and achieved a lot. Despite her strong desire to graduate summ

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cum laude, the advantages of cheating on her final exam do not outweigh the disadvantages. The advantage would be receiving an A in the course and graduating summa cum laude.

Considering the potential consequences, the costs of cheating for Helen would include receiving a 0 on the final exam, which could lower her B in the class to a C. This would jeopardize her chances of graduating summa cum laude and result in her removal from Beta Alpha Psi. In addition, she would lose her job at Big & Apple and have to explain to her parents how it all happened. Ultimately, Helen would have to live with regret. Given her ethical obligations and weighing the costs and benefits, it seems unlikely that Helen would want to risk everything she has worked for to graduate summa cum laude. I believe that she would not make that decision.

When confronted with a difficult decision, it is important to carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages of each viable option. In Helen's case, after weighing these factors, it became evident that cheating would pose an unnecessary risk. Additionally, cheating is morally wrong and being caught would result in being branded as unethical, which is a reputation that no one, particularly accountants, can afford. Helen will undoubtedly reflect on this situation and be grateful that she ultimately decided against cheating.

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