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International Students

The University of Nevada, Reno Welcomes International Graduate Students

International students at Nevada join a growing community of friendship and support. More than 10 percent of graduate students come to Nevada from 80 countries around the world, including the largest numbers from India, Iran, China, South Korea and Turkey. Eighty-one percent of international students receive graduate assistantships to help provide financial support for their education.

Learn more about what the University offers international students.

Application Procedures & Requirements

The information below describes the application requirements for international students who hold a baccalaureate degree from a post-secondary educational institution from a foreign country or the United States and plan on attending the University of Nevada, Reno on an F1 or J1 student visa.

In addition to an online application and any test required by the program you'd like to enter, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) is required for admission.

The minimum TOEFL Score to be admitted to the University of Nevada, Reno is:

• 500 (paper), or
• or 61 (Internet-based version)

If you opt to take the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) (must be academic version) you must achieve an equivalency score of a 6 (equivalent to 500 TOEFL).

Getting and Sending Your Official Transcripts

Transcripts must be requested from the issuing institution, in the country of origin, in a sealed envelope by the graduating institution. This is important – applicants cannot be responsible for sealing the envelopes themselves. Below are recommendations to help you get your transcripts to the University of Nevada, Reno on time.

• Credential evaluations by outside sources, such as World Education Services (WES), are not accepted in lieu of an official transcript.
• If the student is currently in their home country they may pick up the transcript from the institution and take it directly to a mail office and express mail it directly to the Graduate School office.
• If the student is not currently in country they may ask a friend or relative to pick up the transcript and express mail it directly to the Graduate School office.
• If an international student is currently in the United States attending a U.S. institution the student must request the registrar to send their official transcript directly to the Graduate School office.
• The Graduate School will not accept international transcripts that have been sent to another U.S. institution, nor will the Graduate School accept copies of transcripts, emailed transcripts or transcripts that are hand delivered by a third party to the Graduate School office.
• Transcripts must include a degree certificate if the transcript is final.
• Transcripts that are in progress will be evaluated for admission purpose and a final transcript with degree is required before a student will be admitted.

Application Step-by-Step

The Graduate School requires the following items at the deadlines specified by the program of interest.

Deadlines for individual programs are available here.

1. Completed Application to the Graduate School**
2. Nonrefundable application fee of $95 US dollars. If applying to more than one graduate program, a fee for each additional application is $40 for all applicants. Submit application materials and fee payment directly to the address in #3.
3. Request one official transcript from the Registrar's Office at EVERY post-secondary school you've attended (community college, university, etc.) to be sent directly to the Graduate School at Nevada. Official transcripts are those sent directly from the institution attended to the Graduate School: personal copies or "issued to student" are not acceptable even if they are in sealed envelopes. The address is:
   
   

   Graduate Admissions
   Attn: Lisa Oliveto
   University of Nevada, Reno
   Graduate School/0326
   Reno, NV 89557-0326

4. Contact your intended graduate program to determine if test scores are required. If required, request that Educational Testing Service forward official standardized test scores to the Graduate School using school code 4844.
5. Contact your intended graduate program at Nevada to determine if any additional admissions material is required.
6. When your application for admission is received by the Graduate School, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application and then an email with a username and password for the MyNEVADA website, which is your gateway to application status info and course enrollment. There is an application checklist on your Student Center Dashboard, application status and the status of your application materials is communicated on this page.
7. ALL admissions materials such as transcripts, test scores, application fee, etc. must be received by the Graduate School before an admissions package can be forwarded to your intended graduate program. When all materials for admission are received, an admission package is forwarded to your intended graduate program.

Notes About the Application Process

No Handwritten Forms

Delays in processing your application due to missing required materials can range from days to weeks. The Graduate School does not accept ANY handwritten forms, including applications. All forms on the Graduate School website are interactive. You can fill them out online, then print out to sign them. If a handwritten application is submitted, it will be returned and will delay the application process. View all forms here.

When to Expect an Admissions Decision

Graduate programs differ in their process for reviewing and approving applications for admission. The time it takes for them to reach an admissions decision may vary from a few days to several weeks or more. When an admission decision has been reached, the program then returns the admissions package to the Graduate School for final approval and formal admission processing. This will generally be completed within a few workdays. You will then receive an email indicating your admissions letter has gone to the Office of International Students for processing of your visa.

The Office of International Students and Scholars assists the Graduate School in advocating for students, and provides help with admission to the University and a smooth transition to living in the United States.