On August 8th, 2007, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine welcomed 76 Naturopathic medical students. This is one of the largest incoming classes that has walked through the doors of SCNM. They come from 25 states within the US , including Puerto Rico . "When I was searching for a Naturopathic Medical School , SCNM stood out from the rest in many aspects,” explains Jose Ventura, quarter one student. “I got a good feeling about SCNM from the very first call that I made to see what getting an ND meant. The admissions rep was patient in answering a laundry list of questions that I had and once I had decided on attending SCNM, I was guided every step of the way.”

Many of the new students come to SCNM with traditional pre-medical majors, but just as SCNM is highly diverse, there are students with backgrounds in journalism, business administration, liberal arts, public relations and engineering. “I am excited about Naturopathic Medicine,” said Stacey Williams, quarter one student, “because it encompasses my prior profession of being an educator, therefore allowing me to extend my passion by becoming a teacher of the whole person.” The class also represents a few students who have attained a professional-level medical degree and are coming back to school to become a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

Interestingly, most students who come to SCNM are not from Arizona . Most are from the East and while 360 days of sunshine and 70 degree winter days may be an attraction, it may be more important that Arizona holds the widest scope of practice for Naturopathic doctors. Not only is Arizona the only state in which NDs can practice every modality within Naturopathic Medicine, but they have prescription rights and many clinics and hospitals are welcoming NDs into practice to provide integrative care for patients. A new record was set with the Fall 2007 class in that twenty-nine percent of the students are from Arizona . Saman Rezaie, quarter one student, expressed, “Everyone looks for a place to call home. They buy a house, move to a new city , and start fresh. When I came to SCNM for “Student for a Day” and to interview, it felt like a place that finally offered that quality for me.”

The New Student Orientation is a three-day event packed with informational sessions including time and money management, financial aid, career center assistance, studying for NPLEX (beginning with day one) and much more. New students also participate in a variety of activities including lunch with mentors, a water ceremony and stethoscope ceremony. Within these three days students are able to interact with their fellow classmates, faculty and other SCNM students. This is an opportunity for students to get acquainted with one another and form bonds with the people they will share all of life's ups and downs with for the next four years. “I went to buy my books at the College Store and I was filled with tears. I was so full of excitement and gratitude,” said Lupita Martin, quarter one student, “I am looking forward to growing with my classmates and I feel very welcomed into the SCNM community already.”

A favorite event during orientation is a traditional ceremony from the Native American culture entitled The Sharing Circle . Prior to orientation, Dr. Yolanda Rodriguez, SCNM Alumna, meditates on the upcoming class and the energy from the class draws her to the desert, forest, river or any one of Arizona's beautiful landscapes to take a branch from a tree which has medicinal properties. On the first day of orientation, each student is asked to bring an item of sentimental value that represents who they are and what brought them to SCNM and Naturopathic Medicine. The class sits in a circle and passes around the branch telling their story and placing their item on the branch. The class embraces one another in this ceremony and shares each others' smiles, laughter and tears. This sacred branch is then placed in the hall of SCNM as a representation of the class and during their last week at SCNM, prior to graduation, the class reflects on who they have become and embrace one another and their branch as a whole for one last time.

“I have never entered into a more warming faculty/staff-friendly school in my life.  SCNM made me feel at home from the day I called to acquire more information about the program,” says Julie Waiz-Flynn, quarter one student, “I felt as though I was the only prospective student every time I called due to the impeccable attention I received. It has been an awesome experience thus far, and I expect it will only get better once classes begin.”