Complaint Review: SANFORD-BROWN INSTITUTE - melville New York

I am a 26 year old mother of three young boys. I had a very rough life and went through alot as a teenager and am not just trying to better my life for my children. I've always been interested in the medical field and saw a television commercial for sanford brown institute so I called immediately. I was scheduled an appointment to go and meet with an advisor. The day I went in there he ensured me there was nothing that would prevent me from attending this school. I was excited and ready to go. I attended orientation, recieved my books and uniform. My first day of class was supposed to be monday. January 14, 2013. 

While I was at work on monday the 14th I recieved a call from admissions saying they needed to speak with me as soon as possible if I could please come in. So I left work to find out what was going on. When I got to the school I was informed that I would NOT be able to attend there because in the backround check my felony had come up. 

Now first things first.....I told my advisor that I had a felony from 7 years ago. I was issued a Certificate of Relief of Civil Disabilities for the sentencing judge back in 2009. I also provided that to my advisor. My felony is NON-VIOLENT. It is the lowest felony a person can obtain. I was told by the judge that having this certificate it would allow me to attend school and allow me to work a good job, even state or federal job. 

This school ensured me no barriers to attend. They decided to contact me the day of classes to tell me I cannot attend due to "the safety of their students" as if I am some hardened criminal. I made a stupid mistake in 2006 and have not been in any trouble since. I looked in their handbook about criminal backround, and it says students to have certain types of criminal history would not be able to attend the school. 

So I asked the admissions advisor, "so you mean to tell me you've never ever had one single student since sanford brown has started, that has had any type of criminal histoy?" he told me "NO". I felt so belittled at the statement "we need to ensure the safety of our students."  School is there to help people get an education so they can better their lives.

I don't feel as if any school should not allow people to attend due to their past. So does this mean that sanford brown doesn't believe that people CAN change and switch their lives for the better? If I can work in that field and be hired by employers with my backround and having that certificate, why is it that a school would deny me an education.  

I guess I'm just upset because I was really looking foward to attending and starting this career path for my children. I am currently enrolled now in another school that has NO issue with my backround. I will obtain my medical assistant degree and be a successful person in society. SANFORD BROWN YOU SUCK! Now after reading all the other reviews and complaints on this school I am thankful they didn't let me in because it doesn't seem to be a good school at all. 

I'm sure if I had the means to dig up the history of sanford browns employees I would be bound to find at least one of them has a criminal backround in some way or another! For whoever read this thanks for taking the time to hear my story. I didn't lose anything out of my expierence with them so I'll consider myself lucky. I am very sorry to all those who have.