Healthcare Education: Admissions Insights from AIMS Education

April 1, 2015


Following our interview with Richard Auslander from the Career Services Department, this week we sat down with Ashni Patel to learn more about the admission process at AIMS Education.
Ashni: I am an Admissions Administrator and the Department Head for Admissions at AIMS Education. I am primarily involved with marketing, student recruitment, admissions and enrollment. I also do class scheduling and contribute to other areas of institutional development. I have a healthcare-based education and have previously worked in the field of admissions and recruitment.


Ashni: Within the Admissions Department, I oversee the process of student recruitment and enrollment. I work closely with the Financial Aid Department, Academic Department, Instructors, Internship Department, Career Services, as well as the Registry Exam Department. This helps ensure that each student has a smooth transition into the institution, remains on schedule, and gets the best academic experience at AIMS.


Ashni: AIMS has a number of programs to offer within the healthcare domain. Programs vary in duration, from one month to a few years.

Ashni: The admission process at AIMS consists of a series of one-on-one meetings with members of the admissions team. From the first meeting with an admissions representative for initial counseling to application and enrollment, each individual applicant is given personalized attention and related guidance. Students are also given the opportunity to meet with a Financial Aid / Accounts representative multiple times throughout the process.
Ashni: To accommodate working professionals who are not available for day sessions, we offer evening classes which are held Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Another alternative, for smaller programs, would be the weekend sessions which are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.


Ashni: Waiting until the last minute to enroll in a program is sometimes a problem for applicants. It is highly recommended that applicants meet with admissions representatives well before the start date of a program. They should feel free to meet with representatives as many times as needed in order to find the right program and understand how the admission process works.

Ashni: Absolutely. At AIMS, our goal is to ensure that each student graduates successfully and finds employment opportunities. Hence, although an applicant qualifies for a program, if my gut tells me that the chosen program is not the right choice for them, we try to encourage the student to consider other program options.



Girl Taking an Exam





Ryan McGilchrist / Flickr / CC BY-SA

Here we cover topics like: how and when to apply, the various challenges applicants face, the different career paths available, financial aid, evening classes and career change opportunities. Ashni also talks about the personal touch she puts in her work and the individual attention each applicant receives.

  • Hi Ashni, could you tell us more about yourself and your professional field of expertise?



Admission Process with Ashni Patel





Ashni Patel Helping a Student with Her Application Papers

AIMS Education / / CC BY

  • What is your primary role in the Admissions Department? How closely do you work with other departments to ensure an easy transition for each student after they're accepted?
  • Compared to other institutions, how does AIMS Education’s Admissions Department stand out? What do you do differently?



Students Working With Equipment





AIMS Education / / CC BY

This has enabled the Admissions team to be able to provide options to prospective students based on their needs.

Our team is equipped to evaluate a student’s needs and recommend programs that are most beneficial to the prospective student based on his or her background, aptitude, and goals.

Along with providing guidance about career choices and growth opportunities, we encourage prospective students to do their own research about their chosen program and related career to make an informed decision.

We are open to meeting prospective students multiple times before they enroll to answer any questions they may have about the program, process, or chosen career path.

  • What is the level of personal approach and attention each individual applicant receives? What are you doing to push that level even further?



Girl Taking an Exam





ZeLIG School / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND

An administrative interview is conducted prior to signing the enrollment contract to ensure that the student is confident in his or her program choice and has all the required information about the program. The entire admission process is done in-person, which results in students receiving a personal approach.

  • What kinds of programs does AIMS Education make available to people who are looking for a career change, but are still tied up at their current jobs? Do you offer classes convenient for people working 9–5?



Job Fair AIMS





AIMS Education / / CC BY

  • Have you observed any bad practices among applicants which might hurt them as an applicant to AIMS Education? Maybe not preparing for the entrance exam or not submitting their application on time?

Also, it is important that the students who are interested in applying for financial aid meet with a financial aid representative and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in a timely manner, since it can take a few days to process.



AIMS Students





AIMS Education / / CC BY-SA

  • If you come across an applicant who qualifies for a program, but your gut (or past experience) tells you this isn't the right choice for them, would you be honest with them, even if it means losing them as a student? What would be the deciding factor to make that decision?

We have a detailed discussion with the student, covering the reasons why a given program may not be the best fit for him/her. Some of the factors that influence our recommendations include prior educational qualifications, work experience, financial resources, time and the student’s aptitude.

It is, however, up to the student to make a final determination about which program they want to apply for.

To to find out more about applying to AIMS Education, you can schedule an appointment online or simply give us a call, and we'll be glad to answer all your questions.

To find out more about career guidance at AIMS, check our previous interview with Richard Auslander.