Ethical dilemma essay example | BBB Education Foundation of Central & Northwest NC

Badum, Badum, Badum — My heart beat out of my chest as I scurried to organize my application documents for the Governor’s School of North Carolina. A spot at the summer-long event was coveted by all juniors in my district for its unparalleled learning opportunities and high prestige. Shuffling my application documents, I walked to my car, excited to have my application reviewed and approved when my printed application slipped from my hands and scattered across my driveway. When I reached for the documents and noticed that the envelope containing one of the teacher recommendations was open, I faced one of the most difficult ethical dilemmas of my life.

I stared at the letter, lost for words. In-person, teachers had always bragged about my esteemed academic achievements, impactful extracurricular activities, and unparalleled work ethic. Yet, I stared at a recommendation letter full of grammatical mistakes and my misspelled name with no mention of my impressive accomplishments or pursuits. Frantically, my ideas raced in my mind until I concluded that, perhaps, I could rewrite the letter. I knew other applicants exaggerated in their essays and lied about their activities, so the idea was not absurd. It would be easy. All I had to do was type a letter detailed with my activities and accomplishments, slip it into the original envelope (whose outside was signed by the teacher), and hand the letter to my counselor with no one the wiser. No harm.

As I sat in my desk chair, prepared to write a new recommendation letter, a wave of guilt washed over me. My fingers hovered over my keyboard as I reflected on the person I wanted to be. For years, I hated students who cut the line, cheated on their tests, and unfairly got ahead. I had always prided myself on upholding my integrity and moral and ethical codes, and now, I was committing fraud. Worse of all, I could not imagine my fellow applicant’s disappointment and tears to a rejection letter while I unfairly held acceptance congratulations. As a mental war waged in my head, I began to realize that no matter how much I wanted an acceptance, I needed to do what was right.

Badum, Badum, Badum — My heart raced as I handed my application to my counselor composed of my activity documents, essays, and teacher letter of recommendation — the recommendation with poor grammar, five sentences, and my misspelled name. Two weeks later, I was notified that I had not even made it past the first round of applicants. My eyes watered, and my heart wrenched as I watched the accepted applicants high five other students and gain praise from teachers. Yet, as the sun set that day, a smile spread across my face. While I may have not gotten to post an acceptance letter on my social media or gain the prestige and respect I yearned for, I was proud that I had upheld my ethical integrity.