Post-Baccalaureate application process

2024-2025 Post Baccalaureate Application is now open

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) 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, including active engagement in an intensive MCAT preparatory course.

The Post-Bac Program online application opens on November 15 and the deadline to apply is January 15. Post-Bac program applicants are notified if selected for an interview by February 1. An interview is require to move forward in the review process. Applicants who complete the interview are notified of their admission decision by March 20.

Application fee

The application fee is $35.00 and non-refundable.

Application essays

  1. Motivation for Medicine: Please describe your motivations for pursuing medicine, what you have done to develop your passion and understanding of the field, and why you want to be a physician. (300 words)
  2. Academic Challenges: Many factors impact classroom performance (e.g., time management skills, willingness to ask for help, communication skills, difficulty balancing extracurriculars, or other responsibilities). Please tell us about challenges or obstacles that impacted your prior academic performance and discuss how you have addressed these issues in order to improve and demonstrate readiness for the Post-Bac Program. (300 words)
  3. Why UNR Med? Please share why you want to pursue your medical education at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine; describe any connections to Northern Nevada communities; and how you are prepared to contribute to UNR Med’s vision of a Healthy Nevada. (300 words)
  4. Overcoming Adversity: Describe a time when you were faced with a significant life crisis, a personal struggle, or a professional failure that was not academic related. How did you respond and how does your experience impact your future actions? (300 words)
  5. Cultural Competence in Health Care: Describe how your education and experiences have prepared you to deliver culturally sensitive care to diverse, underserved, and vulnerable populations. How have your prior experiences providing direct patient care prepared you to appropriately support underserved patients? (300 words) 
  6. Teamwork: The Post-Bac Program functions in a cohort model where all participants support each other in reaching their educational and pre-professional goals. What skills, attributes and strengths have you developed that will make you an asset in a team environment? (300 words)

Optional essay: You are invited to provide a brief statement regarding anything not previously addressed or disclosed in your application that you would like considered during the review of your application. If you are a re-applicant to the Post-Bac Program, we encourage you to outline any significant changes, additional coursework, or new experiences from your previous application. (500 words)

Letters of Evaluation  

Upon applying, applicants will provide the names of three (3) letter writers and those individuals will receive instructions on how to submit letters of evaluation.

  • UNR Med requires and will review three letters of evaluation.
  • Letters must be written within six months of submitting the Post-Bac Program application.
  • Letters must include one clinical and one academic letter of evaluation.

Types of letters:

  • Clinical letter of evaluation: Preferred from a practicing physician but can be from other health care professionals who can assess the applicant’s interactions with patients, understanding of medical roles, and professional competencies such as communication and teamwork.
  • Academic letter of evaluation: Should be written by a faculty member or instructor who has observed the applicant’s commitment to academic excellence and learning. The letter should address the applicant’s performance in the classroom, research lab or as a teaching assistant, and evaluate competencies such as dedication, resilience and adaptability.
  • Other letter of evaluation: This letter can be a second clinical or academic letter or from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s communication skills, personal attributes, and how their experiences have prepared them for medical school.