Admissions review and selection process

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) engages in a mission-based, competency-focused and holistic review process. Each application is given an individual, comprehensive and balanced review. We strongly encourage applications from Nevada residents and from individuals who are members of groups traditionally underrepresented in medicine, or those from medically underserved, rural or low-income communities.

Characteristics of an ideal UNR Med applicant:

  • A commitment to UNR Med's mission to improve the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities, and to our institutional culture of diversity and inclusion.
  • A mature passion for medicine that is informed through exposure to the field and clinical experiences, including patient interactions.
  • A record of service that includes caring for individuals from vulnerable and underserved populations with compassion, respect and cultural sensitivity.
  • Academic readiness for medical school that includes a commitment to academic excellence; thinking, reasoning, problem-solving and communication skills; and being teachable and willing to ask for help.
  • Personal attributes and professional competencies that demonstrate readiness for medical school such as maturity, humility, self-awareness, reliability, adaptability, teamwork, social skills, ethical responsibility and integrity.
  • A demonstrated capacity to contribute to our school, our community and to the medical profession.

The competencies and attributes being assessed by our admissions committee are based upon the following: