When I first landed at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport on my way to visit the University of Nevada, Reno, I was shocked by the number of slot machines I saw. I knew I was in Nevada, even though I was still about eight hours away from Las Vegas. I had never been to the Northwest before, so when I hopped into my rental, I was in awe of the scenery. You could see miles and miles of mountains. It was also a little chilly for March. My hotel was downtown and about five miles from the school, and I could see that there was definitely plenty to do here.
One of the first things I noticed when nearing the school was the “N” painted on a mountainside, which I learned is a popular fall tradition. I knew I had just arrived at Nevada’s flagship university. The school is big and fairly new. Even though it has been around for quite some time, there was definitely upkeep.
The admissions counselor I spoke to, Justin, was nice and very informative. He mentioned a few perks of coming to UNR. For one, you do not have to declare a major as a freshman, but you can be involved in research straightaway. He mentioned that there were a lot of clubs on campus, allowing no one an excuse for not being involved. They even have a nap club, which made me want to sign up!
Another nice thing about UNR is how close it is to California and how many of the same majors offered at California schools are also offered at UNR. Justin mentioned that a lot of majors at California schools are impacted, making it hard to study what you want because of the competition. An alternative to that is coming to a school like UNR, where it’s possible for California students to pay discounted out-of-state tuition and receive the same quality education they would back home. The Western Undergraduate Exchange, better known as WUE, is a regional tuition-reciprocity agreement that allows you to pay discounted tuition at certain out-of-state schools. This was definitely something I made note of, considering how impacted California schools are.
If you enjoy being outdoorsy and adventurous, look no further than Reno. From the mountains to the historic sites, you’ll definitely feel right at home. One of the places I went to was Lake Tahoe, and let me just say: breathtaking. These are just a few of the things that Justin mentioned to me as perks of being in this city.
On top of all these pretty cool things, The College of Medicine at UNR graduates the most doctors in Nevada. If you are looking to go into medicine, this may be a good fit for you. If you are into sports, UNR is a Division 1 school that has graduated NFL players like Colin Kaepernick and Charles Mann, to name a couple. If you are looking for school spirit, there are activities geared toward that, such as a “Beat UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) Week” that is filled with activities.
I think this school is best for the student who either lives in Nevada or is in close proximity. Even if you aren’t, but you are intrigued by all the school has to offer, this would be a good fit. It is very much a medium-sized to large campus that provides good opportunities for students who are seeking that atmosphere. If you want to learn more about UNR or any college that interests you, contact your Right C3 coaches today!
