Rigo Nunez is no stranger to the field of college admissions. Not only has he been at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) for four years – long enough to see a class of ND students through from start to finish – but he has also worked in college admissions at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Mass., and at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Ore. He’s seen a lot of changes in the economy during that time, and he’s witnessed the naturopathic field's tremendous growth, as have the students who have come through his door.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Rigo was raised in an environment of “natural living,” in which organic food was a normal part of life. Thanks to this foundation, he feels a personal connection to the principles and philosophy of naturopathic medicine. For him, it isn’t just about recruiting students to attend NCNM; it’s about increasing awareness of the field in order to benefit society as a whole. Additionally, it’s about helping students choose the best possible school for themselves. With a sincere interest in students, Rigo enjoys listening to people’s stories about how they found naturopathic medicine and embraced it as a career path. In relating these stories, he reflects on their commonalities and what elements often contribute to success...

Being an ND school admissions officer
A unique group of students
A recipe for student success
Insider tips on getting in

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Being an ND school admissions officer

AANMC: You’ve been working in college admissions for most of your adult life. What is it about this field that draws you?

RN: It's the opportunity to help someone achieve their goals and realize a dream. In this field especially, I feel like I’m helping people in a meaningful way.

It seems like once people find naturopathic medicine – whether they found it after studying conventional medicine, discovered it through family members, or stumbled upon it through their own health experiences – they know it’s exactly what they want. They feel complete. And it changes their lives.

AANMC: What do you like about working at a naturopathic school, and how is it different from other colleges where you’ve worked?

RN: It’s very different. Naturopathic medicine is a groundbreaking field. We are literally developing opportunities that did not previously exist in the health care system. The field is growing a lot and undergoing so much change.

All of the ND schools are focusing on increasing naturopathic medicine's availability and people's awareness of it, and that’s exciting to me. It’s a challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity for the health care system, because it gives people more choices. It’s enriching to be part of expanding people’s options for healing.

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A unique group of students

AANMC: What do you enjoy most about interacting with future NDs?

RN: I enjoy seeing people transform themselves. By the time they graduate, these new doctors are so much more mature and confident. Sometimes, I also see people’s health improve. Graduation is my favorite time, because the students have this glow. During the ceremony, there is such a sense of achievement, especially for those who have been struggling as single parents, or those who were the first in their families to attend graduate school or become a doctor.

AANMC: You’ve seen a lot of potential future ND students come through your admissions office at NCNM. Is there anything you've noticed that sets these students apart from other grad students – from those you met who were applying to law school, for example?

RN: The difference I see in ND students is their passion for the medicine, as well as their sincere belief that this profession is going to make a difference for them. Enrolling in law school can be more of a business move to enhance people’s resumes; some don’t even want to work at a firm or practice law – they just want to survive this economy.

But here, there’s true dedication. I would say 99 percent of our students want to practice and to further naturopathic medicine. At ND school, students are in the trenches, they’re hands-on and they want to really make a difference. It’s not just about enhancing their resumes – although you can make a really successful career for yourself as an ND, especially now, with our schools teaching business and practice-management classes. But our students never lose sight of the real goal, which is to provide improved health care and healing to patients.

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A recipe for student success

AANMC: And are there any qualities or personal characteristics that you’ve come to recognize as indicators that an applicant will likely become a good student, and go on to become a good doctor?

RN: As I’ve said, passion makes a difference. Having a vision of their desired outcome is also key, but along with that, they need the academic strength to handle the rigors of our programs.

When selecting ND students, it’s not just about GPA, it’s also about analytical reasoning skills. We look for people who are always asking questions – people who want to know "why." Those individuals are perfect candidates, because in this medicine it’s not just about prescribing Advil for headaches or Vioxx for arthritis; we are actually looking at and analyzing complex conditions that, in other medicines, are being titled as chronic or incurable. To be a good ND, you have to have the inquisitive mind of a two-year-old who’s always asking why, who’s compelled to find the deeper, underlying cause instead of just treating the symptoms.

AANMC: Have you been able to follow any of your applicants through the entire four- or five-year process, to see them graduate and become successful docs? What is that like?

RN: Yeah, I have, and it’s very rewarding. One student comes to mind who, from the beginning, had an amazing plan about what she wanted to do. She knew she wanted to work in an integrative practice, and she always talked to me about that goal. She always focused on the end result.

Now she owns a very successful integrative practice in southern California, partnering with two other alumni and specializing in prolotherapy. I always knew she would be successful, because she was wasn’t just focused on "I need to get honors so I can pass this class." It was more like, "I’m doing this class because of x, y and z, and that is going to get me to my goals."

And I’ve also known NDs who are happy leasing a farm in Montana and taking a few patients here and there, because the corporate environment just isn't for them. I’ve seen people make that progression toward becoming successful in a totally different way, in their own way, and that’s fun.

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Insider tips on getting in

AANMC: If you could give an "insider tip" to those potential ND students out there who are just starting the application process, what would it be?

RN: I highly recommend that people visit multiple schools before making the final choice. That way, when they do select a school, it’s an educated decision. But the number one tip is this: Consult the experts. Talk to students, talk to faculty, talk to practicing doctors. Don’t just talk to an admissions counselor! We know a lot, but we aren’t the ones out there with perspectives to offer on this education and career path.

AANMC: What do you perceive to be the common pitfalls prospective students encounter during the application process?

RN: I don’t see too many pitfalls. But sometimes people don’t pay attention to the details. For instance, people sometimes send a letter of recommendation addressed to the wrong school! It’s usually the fault of the person writing the letter, so applicants should keep in close contact with the people they ask for recommendations to ensure they are writing relevant and accurate letters.

People should also explain any of their application’s weak points to the admissions counselors. And if they’re denied, they shouldn’t just resubmit the same application the following year; they should ask us how they can improve it. Also, people should be careful what they are saying on social networks and blogs. It’s a small world!

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In the four years he’s been at NCNM, Rigo has witnessed a significant uptrend in the enrollment pool. The applicants' GPAs are rising, which bodes well for the skill set of the student body. He’s seen a more enrollment by diverse ethnicities, more ivy league students, more variety in educational backgrounds, and more students coming straight from undergrad. But he also knows that there are always those for whom naturopathic medicine is the “third or fourth step” in their life's path. No matter how they got there, all students Rigo meets have a deep well of conviction and passion. As for the future of the field, he has a lot of hope. He takes pride in how the schools of the AANMC work well together, mobilizing toward a common goal. "It’s just a great profession," he observes. "It feels really good to be a part of it."

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A Sydney Maupin is a Seattle-based freelance writer and editor with an interest in promoting natural medicine and helping others to achieve holistic wellness.

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