Transfer Students
UNR Med does not accept transfer applications.
Application Requirements
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) M.D. program application process begins with submitting a primary application through AMCAS, followed by a secondary application unique to UNR Med. Applicants are evaluated on academic performance, health care experience, leadership and a commitment to serving diverse populations. Interviews are by invitation and offer an opportunity to showcase personal strengths and alignment with our school's mission. Application deadlines and detailed requirements can be found for each applicant type below.
Application information (2024-2025)
UNR Med participates in the AMCAS Early Decision Program (EDP), offering applicants the chance to apply early to one (1) medical school and receive a decision notification by October 1.
To be considered for the EDP, applicants must complete the following by August 1:
- Submit an AMCAS application, including three (3) letters of evaluation.
- Have an eligible MCAT score.
- Complete the Casper and Duet assessments.
EDP applicants who complete the UNR Med Secondary Application will be notified by September 1 if they are selected for an interview. Decision notifications are sent between September 15 and October 1. Those accepted through the EDP commit to enrolling at UNR Med.
Applicants not offered early admission can then apply to other medical schools and will have their application reconsidered during UNR Med's regular admissions process. Final decision notifications for these applicants will be sent by February 20.
UNR Med accepts M.D. Program applications until October 1. However, it is strongly recommended that applicants complete the following as soon as possible:
- Submit an AMCAS application, including three (3) letters of evaluation.
- Have an eligible MCAT score.
- Complete the Casper and Duet tests by September 29.
All M.D. applicants will receive an invitation to complete the UNR Med Secondary Application and will be notified by December 1 if selected for an interview.
UNR Med offers an M.D./Ph.D. Combined Degree Program for students pursuing careers as physician-scientists, with approximately two seats reserved in each incoming class.
The program integrates all components of the M.D. program, including USMLE Step exams and clinical skills training, along with all Ph.D. requirements such as graduate coursework, a comprehensive exam, and laboratory-based dissertation research.
To be considered for the M.D./Ph.D. program, applicants must complete the following by September 1:
- Submit an AMCAS application, including three (3) letters of evaluation (academic, clinical and research).
- Have an eligible MCAT score.
By September 29, applicants must also complete the Casper and Duet tests.
M.D./Ph.D. applicants who submit the UNR Med Secondary Application will be notified by December 1 if selected for an interview.
Around 25% or more of each incoming class at UNR Med are reapplicants. When reapplying, we strongly recommend that your new application is not just a repeat of your previous one. You must submit one (1) new letter of evaluation dated within a year of the October 1 deadline. You can reuse up to two (2) letters from the previous application cycle if they were written within two years of the October 1 deadline.
Recommendations:
- Apply early by September 1.
- Update your personal statement to reflect how your passion and why for medicine has grown over the past year.
- Refresh your AMCAS application with new or updated experiences, including:
- New or updated clinical experience hours, where you've interacted with or cared for patients, gaining more exposure to physicians and health care teams.
- New or updated service experience hours, showing your continued commitment to service.
- Any changes to your academic record that demonstrate your readiness for medical school.
- New or updated examples of how you've developed the AAMC's Pre-Professional Core Competencies and strengthened your alignment with UNR Med's mission, values and culture.
The Post-Bac Program is a rigorous and demanding professional program designed to mimic the time commitment and expectations students will encounter in medical school. Applicants are expected to have addressed previous obstacles to academic success, and to demonstrate that they are prepared to make the personal and financial commitment required for success in a full-time program.
The Post-Bac Program online application opens on November 15 and the deadline to apply is January 15.
Application fee
The application fee is $35.00 and non-refundable.
Learn more about applications requirements specific to the Post-Bac program
UNR Med values the unique experiences non-traditional applicants bring and recognizes that academic journeys vary. We do not set expiration dates on prerequisite courses, offering flexibility for those returning to school. However, it's important to show academic readiness. If you've been out of school, we recommend taking upper-division science courses in the year before applying. This helps you adjust to the demands of learning again and allows you to demonstrate recent academic success, including strong grades and a current academic letter of evaluation.
To strengthen your academic foundation, we recommend applying to UNR Med’s Post-baccalaureate program (if you meet the requirements). This program helps enhance science credentials and prepares students for medical school through rigorous coursework, personalized guidance and a supportive community.
General eligibility to apply
At the time of application, all applicants to UNR Med are required to:
- Complete a minimum of 90 undergraduate semester credits, or a graduate degree, from an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution at the time of application.
- Demonstrate that they have or will meet all required prerequisites prior to matriculation.
- Provide documentation, upon request, that they are a U.S. Citizen, a permanent resident of the U.S., or a DACA recipient.
UNR Med classifies applicants as either in-state applicants or out-of-state applicants based upon whether candidates meet the criteria listed in Category A or Category B. UNR Med will not consider applications that do not meet the criteria of one of these categories.
Before submitting an AMCAS application, candidates for admission must meet all residency, MCAT and GPA requirements listed under admission Category A or Category B.
Prospective applicants are eligible to complete a UNR Med Secondary Application and will be classified as an in-state applicant for admissions review if they can answer YES to one or more of the following statements:
- I graduated from a Nevada High School.
- I graduated/will graduate with a bachelor’s degree from a four-year Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institution.
- My current legal residence, as entered on my AMCAS application is/will be Nevada, or I will have resided in Nevada during the 12 months prior to August 1 of the year of my medical school matriculation.
- One or more of my parents or legal guardians will have resided in Nevada during the 12 months prior to August 1 of my medical school matriculation year.
- I am a member of a federally recognized Native American tribe, who does not otherwise qualify as a Nevada resident, and who currently resides on tribal lands located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the State of Nevada.
- I am a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in Nevada as a permanent duty assignment, pursuant to military orders, or the spouse, family or legal guardian of such a person.
- I have a parent, grandparent, or sibling who is a graduate or current student at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med).
Candidates classified as an in-state applicant must meet the following GPA and MCAT criteria:
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.80* or above, or
- Completion of 30 or more post-baccalaureate credit hours with a GPA of 3.50* or above, or
- Completion of a graduate degree with a GPA of 3.50* or above, and
- MCAT score of 497 or above.
*As calculated by AMCAS.
Important information for in-state applicants:
Classification for review as an in-state applicant does not guarantee in-state tuition. Eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by the University’s Office of Admissions & Records based upon information submitted on the NSHE Residency Form. This form is collected as part of the application process.
Applicants who do not meet the requirements to be classified as an in-state applicant, but who can answer YES to one of the following questions, and can produce documentation upon request, will be reviewed as out-of-state applicants.
- I am a legal resident of one of the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah or Wyoming.
- My spouse, partner, or a member of my extended family (grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle or first cousin) has resided in Nevada during the 12 months prior to the UNR Med application deadline.
- I have previously resided in Nevada.
Out-of-state applicants must meet the following GPA and MCAT criteria.
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.30* or
- Completion of 30 or more post-bac credit hours with a GPA of 3.50* or above, or
- Completion of a graduate degree with a GPA of 3.50* or above, and
- MCAT score of 500 or above.
*As calculated by AMCAS
Important information for out-of-state applicants:
Out-of-state applicants are generally assessed out-of-state tuition during their first year, unless they meet eligibility requirements listed on the NSHE Residency Form. By taking steps listed in the residency form during their first year of medical school to qualify as Nevada residents, out-of-state students may be eligible for in-state tuition during subsequent years of attendance.
AAMC Application Fee Assistance Program
UNR Med encourages applicants with financial need to apply to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP). If eligible, FAP will waive your AMCAS application fee for up to 20 medical schools, provide free MCAT preparation materials, and your MCAT fee will be discounted. In addition, UNR Med will waive your Secondary Application fee and Casper and Duet fees.
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