Curious about the life and times of our spectacular admissions consultants? Please enjoy our newest blog series in which we interview the fabulous people who make up the Accepted.com staff. Next up is…Alicia McNease Nimonkar.
Accepted: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where and what did you study as an undergrad? Do you hold any graduate degrees? Where do you currently live?
Alicia: Since my dad served in the Air Force for thirty years, I grew up all over the U.S. Fascinated by other perspectives, I chose to study English Literature for my Bachelor’s Degree. I am currently completing a Master’s Degree in Composition and Rhetoric as well as Literature.
My first book, The Definitive Guide to Premedical Postbaccalaureate Programs was published this year and is available on Amazon and the Accepted.com website. I teach yoga and quilting where I live in the Boston area.
Accepted: Congratulations on your new book! Can you tell us about it? Do you have any plans for future books?
Alicia: The book describes all the different types of postbac programs in existence and includes interviews with students who I helped gain acceptance into medical school as well as interviews with postbac program directors from around the country. I hope that it will serve as a resource for students who might otherwise give up on their dream of pursuing a medical education.
I have collaborated with the renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Loma K. Flowers, to write a book on emotional competence. The manuscript is currently under review. For my next project, I plan to write a book on secondary application essays to help students prepare for the application process in advance.
Accepted: Can you share 3 fun facts about yourself?
Alicia:
1. I try to practice yoga and meditate almost every day.
2. I have lived in Italy and Germany.
3. I love to cook and just recently started making my own sushi.
Accepted: How does your experience as a yoga instructor contribute to your role as an admissions consultant?
Alicia: As a teacher, I am continually learning from my students how I can better support them. After receiving my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate, I have started a 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Natasha Rizopoulos and Barbara Benagh in Boston. I also recently completed Level 1 and Level 2 in Integrated Positional Therapy with Lee Albert, NMT.
In learning to assess body posture and language, I am able to provide clients with more in depth feedback during mock interviews about how they, often, hold their breath and their bodies. I hope to empower every student I work with to be more authentic and comfortable in the way they present themselves to selection committees – in writing and interviews.
Accepted: Can you tell us about your experience at UC Davis School of Medicine? How did that contribute to your career as an admissions consultant?
Alicia: Leading and serving on selection committees for over five years to select students for our postbac program provided me with a strong understanding of what factors help or hurt a student’s application. Supporting students through the entire application process from beginning to end brought me a lot of joy! I learned that with the right strategy and support my students were able to earn record high GPAs and the highest acceptance rates for any program like it in the State of California.
Accepted: What are your top 3 admissions tips?
Alicia:
1. It’s essential that you have an increasing trend in your GPA.
2. If possible, do not submit your application before you receive your MCAT score so that you can use that information to guide your strategy and school selection.
3. Be yourself. In all of your essays and interviews and allow the reader and interviewer to get to know you, for the best results.
Learn more about Alicia and how she can help you get accepted!
Related Resources:
• A Second Chance at Medical School: The A-Z of Applying to Postbac Programs
• Med School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services
• How to Get the Most Out of Your Experience Working With A Medical School Consultant