(n.) One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate.

abbess abecedarian alphabetarian applicant apprentice articled clerk aspirant beginner bidder boot candidate canoness catechumen claimant clergywoman conventual debutant entrant fledgling freshman greenhorn ignoramus inductee initiate lady superior mother superior neophyte new boy newcomer novice novitiate nun petitioner prioress probationer probationist raw recruit recruit religieuse rookie secular canoness seeker sister solicitant solicitor suitor superioress suppliant supplicant tenderfoot the reverend mother tyro