Last updated on January 9th, 2026 at 06:27 am

Program Overview & Institution Identity

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) is a prestigious public medical institution established in 1971 and located in Reno, Nevada. This four-year MD program serves as a statewide institution with campuses in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, plus a partial rural campus in Elko, Nevada.

Program Duration and Structure

UNR Med offers a traditional four-year MD program that integrates biomedical science with clinical practice through a systems-based block format. The curriculum follows an innovative approach that provides early clinical exposure starting from the first week of the first year, distinguishing it from many traditional medical schools.

Location and Campus Details

• Primary Campus: Reno, Nevada (urban campus)
• Additional Locations: Las Vegas campus and Elko rural campus
• Setting: Public institution serving the state of Nevada

Accreditation Status

UNR Med has been fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) since 1971. This accreditation ensures that graduates are eligible to apply for residency programs throughout the United States and meet all requirements for medical licensure.

Combined Degree Programs

The school offers several combined degree options:

• MD/PhD: Approximately 2 seats reserved per class for students pursuing careers as physician-scientists
• MD/MPH: Master of Public Health combined program
• MD/MBA: Business administration combined degree

Admission Requirements

Academic Prerequisites

To apply to UNR Med, students must complete specific prerequisite courses with a letter grade of “C-” or above:

Required Coursework:

• Biology: 15 credits including 2 credits Biology lab and 6 credits of upper division coursework
• Chemistry: 8 credits including minimum 2 credits of lab
• Organic Chemistry: 8 credits including minimum 2 credits of lab
• Physics: 8 credits including minimum 2 credits of lab
• Biochemistry: 3 credits
• Psychology or Sociology: 3 credits

Strongly Recommended Courses:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Metabolic Regulation
• Statistics/Bio-Stats
• Neurobiology
• Calculus

GPA Requirements

• Median GPA: 3.85
• All prerequisite courses must have a letter grade of “C-” or above
• Both overall GPA and science GPA are evaluated in the admissions process

Standardized Testing

MCAT Requirements:

• Median MCAT: 511
• Must be taken no later than September 30 of the application year
• Strongly recommended to take within 3 years prior to application
• All sections are evaluated, with competitive applicants typically scoring at or above the median

Additional Assessments:

• CASPer and Duet Tests: Required for all applicants by October 21
• These assessments evaluate personal and professional characteristics beyond academic metrics

Application Process & Timeline

Application Systems

UNR Med participates in the AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) for primary applications, followed by a secondary application unique to UNR Med.

Application Options and Deadlines

Early Decision Program (EDP)

• Deadline: August 1
• Decision Notification: By October 1
• Requirements: Complete AMCAS application, 3 letters of evaluation, eligible MCAT score, CASPer and Duet assessments
• Students accepted through EDP commit to enrolling at UNR Med

Regular MD Program

• Deadline: October 1
• Secondary Application: All MD applicants receive an invitation
• Interview Notifications: By December 1
• CASPer/Duet Deadline: October 21

MD/PhD Combined Degree Program

• Deadline: September 1
• Approximately 2 seats reserved per incoming class

Required Documents

• AMCAS primary application
• Three (3) letters of evaluation
• Official transcripts
• UNR Med secondary application
• MCAT scores
• CASPer and Duet assessment results

Interview Process

• Format: By invitation only
• Timeline: Interview invitations sent by December 1 for regular applicants
• The interview provides an opportunity to showcase alignment with the school’s mission and personal strengths

Admission Statistics & Success Rates

Class Profile

• First Year Class Size: 71 students
• Acceptance Policy: Primarily Nevada residents, but accepts out-of-state students on a case-by-case basis

Academic Statistics of Accepted Students

• Median GPA: 3.85
• Median MCAT: 511
• These statistics represent the middle 50% of accepted students, indicating the competitive nature of admissions

Geographic Preferences

UNR Med prioritizes Nevada residents but does consider qualified out-of-state applicants. The “case-by-case” evaluation for out-of-state students suggests limited but available opportunities for non-residents.

Tuition & Financial Information

2025-26 Academic Year Tuition

In-State Residents (Annual):

• Tuition: $33,449
• Total Enrollment Costs: $42,961-$44,391 (varies by year)
• Total Cost of Attendance: $76,988-$85,451 (including living expenses)

Out-of-State Residents (Annual):

• Tuition: $62,152
• Total Enrollment Costs: $71,664-$73,094 (varies by year)
• Total Cost of Attendance: $105,691-$114,154 (including living expenses)

Additional Costs

• Health Insurance: $4,621 annually
• Life & Disability Insurance: $83 annually
• Medical School Fees: $4,808-$6,238 (varies by year)
• Licensing Exam Fees: $680 (Years 2 and 4)

Living Expenses in Reno, Nevada

• Housing: $13,606-$19,208 annually (varies by year and housing choice)
• Food: $8,242-$8,990 annually
• Transportation: $2,940-$6,392 annually (higher in clinical years)
• Personal Expenses: $4,292-$4,652 annually

Financial Aid Options

UNR Med collaborates with the University of Nevada, Reno Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to provide:

• Federal Financial Aid: Available through FAFSA
• Grants and Scholarships: Both need-based and merit-based opportunities
• Work-Study Programs: Available for eligible students
• Student Loans: Federal loan programs

Notable Scholarships:

• Phil and Jennifer Satre Medical Education Scholarship
• Jack and Jane Becker Medical School Scholarship
• Various external scholarships through military programs (HPSP), NHSC, and specialty organizations

Click To See Hundreds Of Consultants Who Can Mentor You:

Curriculum & Program Structure

Four-Year Program Overview

UNR Med’s curriculum integrates biomedical science with clinical practice through a systems-based block format, emphasizing early clinical exposure and practical experience.

Years 1 and 2: Pre-Clinical Education

Educational Approach:

• Systems-based block format with 40 weeks of instruction in Year 1
• “Case of the Week” methodology connecting scientific concepts with clinical contexts
• Early clinical exposure starting from the first week
• Reduced lecture hours focusing on lifelong learning strategies

Year 1 Block Structure:

• Block 1: Foundations and Principles of Medical Science I (8 weeks)
• Block 2: Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal Systems I (10 weeks)
• Block 3: Gastrointestinal, Endocrine and Reproductive Systems I (8 weeks)
• Additional blocks covering musculoskeletal, integumentary, human behavior, and nervous systems

Longitudinal Courses:

• Practice of Medicine: Runs concurrently with blocks, includes ambulatory care experiences
• Advanced Clinical Skills
• Clinical Reasoning in Medicine

Years 3 and 4: Clinical Education

Clinical Training Sites:

• Reno: Primary clinical training location
• Las Vegas: Secondary clinical site
• Rural Nevada: Required rural clinical experiences

Year 3 Requirements:

• Clinical Reasoning in Medicine (CRIM): 24-week clerkship supplementing Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine rotations
• Core rotations in major specialties
• Objective/Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
• Shelf examinations for internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics

Year 4 Requirements:

• Four-week rural clinical elective (mandatory)
• Specialty electives and sub-internships
• Away rotations for competitive specialties
• Residency preparation and career planning support

Residency Match Rates & Graduate Success

Match Day Results

UNR Med graduates have demonstrated strong performance in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), successfully matching into competitive specialties nationwide.

Recent Match Specialties (2025 Match Day):

• Anesthesiology: 8 matches
• Dermatology: 2 matches
• Emergency Medicine: 7 matches
• Family Medicine: 3 matches
• General Surgery: 2 matches
• Internal Medicine: 4 matches
• Neurology: 3 matches
• Ophthalmology: 3 matches
• OBGYN: 2 matches
• Neurological Surgery: 1 match

Geographic Distribution

Graduates match at prestigious programs nationwide, including:

• University of California system hospitals
• Mayo Clinic programs
• Duke University Medical Center
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• University of Utah Health

Pre-Medical Preparation

Undergraduate Planning

Recommended Timeline:

• Junior Year: Begin MCAT preparation and prerequisite completion
• Senior Year: Take MCAT by September, complete applications
• Gap Year Considerations: Productive activities include research, clinical work, or service

Clinical Experience Requirements

While no minimum hours are specified, UNR Med values:

• Quality over quantity of clinical exposure
• Direct patient contact experiences
• Diverse healthcare settings (hospital, clinic, community health)

Research Experience

• Not explicitly required but valued in holistic evaluation
• Types valued: Basic science, clinical research, public health research
• Publications: Not required but beneficial for competitive applicants

Extracurricular Activities

UNR Med evaluates candidates on:

• Healthcare experience
• Leadership roles
• Community service
• Commitment to serving diverse populations

Frequently Asked Questions

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine offers an excellent medical education opportunity for students committed to serving Nevada’s healthcare needs. With its innovative curriculum, early clinical exposure, and strong residency match rates, UNR Med provides a solid foundation for future physicians while maintaining relative affordability compared to private medical schools.