University of Nevada, Reno first-year and transfer students, along with their families, will be on campus starting Thursday, Aug. 13, for new student check-in, residence hall move-in and Opening Weekend events. Students will participate in either the NevadaFIT (Freshman Intensive Transfer) program, from Aug. 16-20, a required, one-credit class to help students transition from high school to college, or the TransferFIT program, an optional three-credit class for transfer students to help ease the transition to the University.

As part of the check-in process, each incoming full-time, first-year student will receive and Apple iPad Air, Apple Pencil Pro and Logitech Combo Touch keyboard or a Microsoft Surface Pro, Pencil and Keyboard, through the Digital Wolf Pack Initiative.

Opening Weekend will include an opening ceremony in Mackay Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 15, and other events for students and families. Events include a karaoke night, Pack family reception, movie night at Mackay, a parent brunch in the Stadium Club at Mackay, various cultural welcoming receptions, an ASUN Block party and more.

The NevadaFIT program, now in its 13th year on campus, has been highly successful in preparing new students for a successful initial year at the University with an average one-year retention rate increase of 7-10%. Students attend one of 11 college-based camps and participate in a collaborative learning experience by pairing with an undergraduate mentor in their selected major and moving into a study group known as a "Pack." Students also meet and engage with faculty, staff and fellow students in their academic major.

Each NevadaFIT camp is slightly different, based on the student’s area of study, but all camps include study sessions, participation in activities with their Pack mentors, homework, lectures, and exams. They also receive training in skill sessions led by various officials including financial literacy, technology skills, wellness, inclusion, fitness classes and more.

To kick off NevadaFIT, students and their families are invited to participate in various NevadaFIT Opening Weekend events, including the NevadaFIT Opening Ceremony, which will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 in Mackay Stadium and is an annual tradition welcoming new students to the University by celebrating the start of the school year with President Sandoval’s official address.

The first day of the 2026 fall semester is Aug. 24, 2026.