Medical Schools in Nevada: How to Get In (2024)
/Learn everything you need to know about medical schools in Nevada, from admissions statistics and program details to strategies for entry
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Part 1: Introduction
Shotgun weddings, casinos, and strikingly beautiful desert landscapes soaked in shades of orange and red round out most people’s perceptions of the great state of Nevada. However, in the 21st century, forward-thinking MD and DO programs need to be added to that list.
The University of Nevada Reno (UNR) and University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) both have MD programs in their respective corners of the state, while Touro University offers a DO program in Henderson, near Las Vegas. Whichever program type you intend to pursue, there is a path for you in Nevada.
In this guide, we intend to break down the particulars of each school and program, granting you an in-depth look at what makes studying at each university unique. We’ll also give you vital statistics from admissions data to requirements for entry so that you can make the most informed decisions possible about where to apply.
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Part 2: List of medical schools in Nevada: 2023 rankings & admissions statistics
We’ve gathered the most comprehensive data on the medical schools in Nevada into an easy-to-read table that includes rankings, class sizes, tuition, GPA and MCAT scores. By using this information to carefully weigh your options, you will be able to enhance your chances of entry, whether you’re considering an MD or DO program.
During our research, a few interesting things stood out to us. Here are some key points to consider when looking at med schools in Nevada:
Only UNLV gives average GPA and MCAT scores, both UNR and Touro only give minimum scores for consideration.
Both University of Nevada schools are quite selective, especially in that they cap their classes every year at 60 and 70 students, respectively.
If you’re thinking of applying to UNR and you’re not a Nevada resident, your competition will be stiffer. They only grant 50 interviews to out-of-state applicants each year.
Of the three medical schools in Nevada, only the oldest, UNR is ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
| Nevada Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine (UNLV)* | |||||||||
| University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine (UNR)* | $57,704 (OOS) |
3.3 (OOS) |
500 min (OOS) |
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| Touro University Nevada |
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Part 3: Nevada medical school profiles
Deciding which schools to apply to and determining which programs best suit your needs involves more than just cost and class sizes. With a greater understanding of the particulars of each school and their statistics, let’s take a look at what each individual school brings to the table.
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine
The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada Las Vegas has a unique MD program broken into 3 phases. The first phase utilizes “problem-based learning” where students will explore patient cases that replicate the real-world scenarios of active physicians.
The second phase is what they call a Longitudinal Interleaved Clerkship organized into 6 clerkships with units divided into 2-week increments engaged in a particular specialty. They aim to help alleviate the problem of forgetting new information common in a traditional learning format of larger specialty blocks where students progress only after completing each block.
The third phase includes rotations and extra time for students to dive into electives, research or further their education on their own terms.
For now, learning is primarily done in Building B, a high-tech environment featuring a health sciences library, study group rooms and a virtual anatomy lab. A new, even more high-tech building is currently under construction.
For those considering applying to UNLV, it’s recommended that you take advantage of their pre-med advising information sessions to help ascertain the probability of success of your application.
University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
Nestled amongst the Sierra Nevada mountains, the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine (UNR) has been training MDs since its humble beginnings as a community medical school since 1969.
Small class sizes are a hallmark of their approach to learning, only accepting 70 new students each year. If you’re looking for individualized attention on your journey to a white coat, UNR could be just the place for you. Keep in mind that its small class sizes mean it can be very selective.
UNR offers dual degree programs in addition to their MD concentration allowing students to enhance their skills based on possible future career paths. Students can choose to combine their MD with an MPH, MBA or PhD.
There is also a post-bac program for non-traditional students or those interested in medicine whose GPAs are less than competitive. By taking a year of upper-division coursework maintaining a 3.5+ GPA and scoring above 500 on the MCAT, you should be offered a place in their MD program.
Additionally, students make a difference to rural and underserved communities in northern Nevada by working in the Student Outreach Clinic providing services free of charge to people who would otherwise not be able to afford it. Gaining real-world experience under the guidance of a practicing physician is a core part of UNR’s education.
UNR also operates a Learning and Wellness Support Center to assist medical students with everything from academic issues to physical and mental health. The stresses and strains of maintaining a healthy work-life balance while in medical school can feel overwhelming but with their counseling, tutoring and exam workshop services, it’s much more manageable.
Touro University Nevada
Touro University Nevada (TUN) is the only private medical school and DO program in Nevada. It’s a non-profit, Jewish-sponsored institution and part of the Touro University system that has an international affiliation.
TUN has a great focus on the community of Henderson, Nevada and makes this a part of students’ education. They partner with organizations around the area offering opportunities to gain experience in a variety of situations.
Their DO program is centered around hands-on experience utilizing patient actors and their advanced Center for Clinical Simulation with 11 patient rooms equipped with an audiovisual system, two simulation suites and a host of training equipment. TUN also offers a dual DO/MPH degree in coordination with their sister campus Touro University California. The MPH portion of the degree is taught virtually over the summer.
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Part 4: Nevada medical school admissions strategies
Strategy 1: Demonstrate academic and extracurricular investment in math and science
One key aspect to gaining admission to any medical program is showing that you can handle the coursework as well as have an interest in it. For medical schools, an aptitude for math and science is crucial and is usually shown in your science GPA, overall GPA, and MCAT scores.
However, to gain an edge over the competition in your applications, you should try to demonstrate your interest both in and out of the classroom. This can be done by highlighting extracurriculars or clubs that you’re involved with.
For example, if you’re part of a robotics or physics club at your university, this would clearly show your interest and aptitude for math and science. Have you been involved in any personal projects or hobbies that could be related to math or science? These could range from participation in a science fair to a passion for building computers.
Strategy 2: Engage in volunteer and research opportunities
The importance of extracurriculars to adcoms cannot be overstated. Volunteer and research opportunities are great ways of showing you’re committed to the medical profession and also give adcoms a fuller picture of you as a person.
Volunteering at a community clinic in your area shows your humanity as well as your passion for medicine. Engaging in research showcases your interests, sharpens your science skills and gives adcoms an idea of how you will contribute to the student community. This is especially important in Nevada, where all three of the medical schools place community outreach among their core values.
Strategy 3: Mention specific opportunities to illustrate your suitability for the program
Specificity is something adcoms love to see as it signals that you have clear reasons for attending their institution as well as a deeper understanding of their offerings. By mentioning aspects of their programs and research opportunities in your application, you can demonstrate why you would be a great fit for the school.
For medical schools in Nevada, this could mean expressing your desire to work with underserved communities as UNR has this built into its program. For UNLV it could mean stating a preference for their longitudinal clerkship model or an interest in their virtual anatomy lab. They’ve even recently received national recognition for a study on severe burns caused by extremely hot pavement. If research like this interests you, make it a point to mention it in your application.
Don’t forget interviews
This also holds true for interviews. Once you’ve made it to that stage, you’ll have to communicate your fit in real time to real people who will watch your mannerisms, body language and demeanor for any sign that you might not be as stellar a candidate in person as you are on paper.
Therefore, make sure you think through how you will answer common interview questions. Don’t memorize your answers as this risks you sounding robotic. However, having some scaffolding in place can help you navigate tricky questions when they come up. For instance, you might be prepared for “Why do you want to be a doctor?” but have you thought through how you would answer “Why would you be a good doctor?” This second question is asking for something more specific and can be harder to formulate a response to in the moment.
With a little forethought, you can walk into interview day supremely confident in your ability to communicate your suitability for their specific program.
Strategy 4: Utilize the data you have to maximize your time when applying
It’s important to manage your time wisely when applying to medical schools and to use the data you have to make informed decisions about where you have the best chance of success. When it comes to medical schools in Nevada, taking a look at the GPA and MCAT scores they accept can be a bellwether regarding your own possibility of acceptance.
For example, the minimum MCAT that Touro will accept is 500, while it’s 497 for UNR. The average for UNLV is 510. From this, we can determine that if your score has just broken 500, you will be considered, but your chances of acceptance are slim. Remember if the average for UNLV is 510, that means half of applicants scored above that while the other half scored below.
If your score hasn’t broken or matched the 510 threshold and you’re a Nevada resident, UNR may be a better option for you as their minimum score favors in-state applicants.
Strategy 5: Order your efforts around the number of secondary essays
Once you’ve been invited to complete a secondary application for a medical school in Nevada, you’ve reached one of the final hurdles to your application. However, it’s a large hurdle and you’ll be tasked with portraying yourself as the premium candidate you are for each specific school.
Almost all medical schools require secondary essays as part of their applications, but there’s no uniform number or length of essays. Some schools ask for two long essays, while others ask for ten short essays. For schools in Nevada in the 2022-2023 application cycle, Touro University has five essays at 1500 characters each (four of which are optional), the University of Nevada Las Vegas has five essays at 250 words each (two of which are optional), and the University of Nevada Reno has six essays with limits of either 300 or 500 words (one of which is optional).
Since premeds need to apply to at least 15-20 schools, that translates into a lot of essays and a lot of work. Therefore, as mentioned above, time management is key.
How you choose to order your efforts will come down to personal preference. Perhaps starting with longer essays is better for you, or perhaps simply starting with essays for your dream schools is better. The important thing is to have a plan in place and time set aside to write, revise and revise again.
Suggested reading: (Medical School Secondary Essays: The Complete Guide)
Final Thoughts
With three selective institutions in the state of Nevada, you will have your work cut out for you in gaining admission. But with great scores and the advice in this guide, landing a place amongst their respected ranks will be a lot easier.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
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Appendix A: Nevada medical schools by degree type
Allopathic (MD) Schools in Nevada
University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine
Osteopathic (DO) Schools in Nevada
Touro University Nevada
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Appendix B: Nevada medical schools by institution type
Public Medical Schools in Nevada
University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine
Private Medical Schools in Nevada
Touro University Nevada (Non-profit)
