Thanks for the clarification, Sam. It sounds to me like your take-away questions are a way for you to get a sense of the student's current situation and how a change might impact it, is that right?
Sometimes using the word "why" in questions can be a bit tricky. It can work beautifully with some students but many times "why" causes individuals to feel defensive. This is because they feel as though they have to defend their. You might want to tweak your why questions with what or how to avoid potentially putting your student on the defensive. Do you think that would work for you?
You've got it, Leticia! Getting the student to tell you how this decision is going to benefit them is so important. Ultimately, your student needs to articulate how this choice will impact them in a positive way. If they can do that with you then they have a greater chance of explaining their decision to their support system. It's also great that you focus on the positives with your student. How do you help the student who has a hard time believing the positives are possible?
Take away questions are questions designed to help the student and me understand why they feel a need for change at this moment. Questions with why's in it
That's great, Jennifer. There's no better way to find out how your student believes they're going to benefit from your program than by simply asking them to tell you! What types of questions do you ask to get them to share what they think the benefits will be?
Showing you care about your students future and their career is absolutely important for an admissions professional, Marji. How do your students benefit from this and how do they let you know it?
It sounds to me like you feel that empathy is important when working with students, would you agree, Raj? Putting yourself in your students shoes helps to give you some insight into their world. Based on your experience, how does that insight help you when you discuss their list of pro's and con's?
I couldn't agree with you more, Sam. Asking good questions can help your students see themselves and their situations in a different light. In addition to that, questions help you understand where your student is coming from and how you might be able to help.
In an ethical enrollment process, it's all about allowing the student to understand what brought them to this place, how change will impact their situation, and generating options for each and every decision they could make. Help me understand what you mean by take away questions, could you clarify for me?
You're right Tito, it's important to show your students how your school's attributes will benefit them specifically. It sounds like you work hard to really listen to your student and connect what they need to what you have to help them in making their decision and that's great! I'd be cautious in using the "take it away approach". In my experiences, I've found that some students respond to this, but for the most part students shut down when this happens. I'm curious, what has been your experience when you've used this approach?
I always like to ask the student how the medical field will help them with their long term goals, its important to know why they are choosing this field out of all the different fields out there. I like to go over the different things they have done in their past that they feel have been able to get them closer to where they want to be. Concentrating on the positive and staying away from the negatives in their past will help them feel at ease.
I encourage them by asking questions after showing them the benefits of our program.
by showing you care about their future and career and have them share that with their family & friends
I try to understand where the student is coming from. First I put myself in thier shoes. I would also have them write pro's and con's of going to school at this point in time.
By asking good questions. Don't tell students what to do, ask good questions in order for the student to understand themselves better, to get clear on what the issue is and from there to make good choices, by asking take away questions, you cause people to think and come up with solutions and benefits
By showing them how are programs are beneficial to them. Relate everything that they are sharing with me and take it away from them.
This is an interesting question, William. I'm curious, what does asking this question help you to accomplish with your student?
Starting a question with the word "why" can be tricky. Many times the word "why" causes an individual to get defensive, because it seems as though s/he must defend his/her way of thinking. How might you ask this question in a different way to avoid using "why"?
It sounds like you try to get a realistic understanding of what it is that your student hopes to accomplish for their future, Ingrid. Do I have that right?
Discussing all of the students options positive and negative helps us to gain an understanding of how a change may impact the student and if they ultimately believe the change is worth it. What might you say to a student if they believe they will not be able to achieve their goals?
Asking "Why not wait another 5-10 years before getting back into school?"
We talk about where are they in there life right now. All the negative and positive. And where they want to be 5 years from now. A Road Map! And if they dont take the steps neccessary to start school they wont be able to achive their goals.
