Pre-Arrival and Orientation
Welcome to the University of Nevada, Reno!
We are excited to have you on campus this Fall 2024. After receiving your admissions letter from University of Nevada, Reno, you must complete the steps required for the F1 visa process and complete and submit the required documentation requested by the University.
Your Student Services Success Manager will be in communication with you to help you prepare for your arrival and what to expect once you arrive on campus. Please complete the Pre-Arrival Form so we know when you will be coming to campus and your housing plans. If you have any questions, contact your Student Services Success Manager at studentservices@nevadaglobal.org right away!
Review the University of Nevada, Reno international student enrollment checklist. This page contains help information and steps you need to complete.
Please checkout the Fall 2024 Orientation here.
- August 15th, Move-In Day- All new students check-in with Nevada Global.
- August 16th, Welcome Breakfast- All Nevada Global students meet at PSAC for a Grand Welcome and learn about what is coming up for the rest of the week!
- August 17th and 18th Opening NevadaFIT Weekend- all new freshman students attend.
- August 19th through the 23rd Orientation for Transfer and Graduate students.
Please complete the OISS Orientation Sign Up Questionnaire found on this page, New Students Orientation. This one-day Orientation will be for Transfer and Graduate students taking place on August 20th (9:00am – 3:30pm).
Prior to submitting the Orientation Questionnaire, you must set up your NetID. Instructions for setting up your NetID can be found on the Before you Start webpage.
Academics
Visit University of Nevada, Reno website for the complete Academic Calendar:
As a University of Nevada, Reno student, it is strongly recommended that you become familiar with the excellent academic advising support services.
- To find advising support related to your college or department go here, https://www.unr.edu/academic-advising. You will need to set an appointment with your NETID on the Navigate Site.
- For general academic help support, please find the Center you need here, https://www.unr.edu/academic-advising/resources.
Center for Academic Success
A website with access to virtual tutors, career advisors, and online resources to help you throughout your university studies
Do you need help adjusting to your new life or just have a question about the courses you are enrolled in? Maybe you need to improve your academic skills or study habits or need help preparing for an exam or presentation? Perhaps you are you confused about CPT/OPT options or are confused about your major or career field?
Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success (CAS) has many free resources for you! For example, you can use the Live Chat button to reach one of our highly-trained support staff, or you can schedule a Zoom session with one of our friendly Student Success Coaches, Professional Tutors, or Career Services staff—all of whom are experts at helping international students with anything from pre-arrival support and campus life to academic subject areas and career guidance.
Maybe you would also enjoy completing a short eLearning course at your own pace? Those are available, too, on topics ranging from Citation Basics to Preparing for an Interview—and everything in between! If you’re short on time, try one of our live or recorded academic, social, or career skills webinars.
Give your learning journey the support it needs by activating your free CAS account today!
How to register:
- Click here or scan the QR code to find our Home page.
- Click the orange “Sign up now” button to request access.
- On the signup form, type your given name and family name as you are registered at your university.
- Type any email address that your university has on file for you (it can be a personal or university email).
- Create a password with at least one special character and 6-50 characters total.
- Type your password again. Write it down or save it in your browser.
- Type the full name of your university, not the abbreviation. Your status must be checked.
- Check the first box to accept the Terms & Conditions (feel free to read those first).
- Check the last box if you wish to receive emails from us.
- Click the large orange button that says, “Start your learning journey.”
After you register:
- After self-registering, you’ll receive an email within two business days to let you know that your account is approved (or if not, how to fix the problem). Just follow the link to log in!
- Check your spam folder if you don’t see our email within two days—or just return to the Home page linked above to try logging in with your email and password. If you encounter any trouble, just use the Live Chat button at the bottom of our Home page.
If you were pre-registered:
- Some students may be admin-registered at the request of their university to save you the trouble of signing up.
- If you get an email from Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success saying that your account has been created, just follow the link to complete your registration. You only need to create your password and check the boxes (Steps 5-10 above).
- If you are told that you were admin-registered, but you can’t find our welcome email, just go to our Home page, click “Sign up now” and complete Steps 3-10. If you can’t guess the right email or how your name was entered, use our LiveChat to get help.
Health
Please refer to the University of Nevada, Reno to review requirements for international students, https://www.unr.edu/oiss/admitted-students/immunizations.
New students must complete the Immunization and Physical Evaluation Clearance Form and submit to oiss@unr.edu prior to your arrival at the university.
For more information, visit the websites of the University of Nevada, Reno Health Center https://med.unr.edu/student-health-center and Counseling Services https://www.unr.edu/counseling.
Immigration
During your stay in the United States in F-1 status, you are subject to many complex immigration law and regulations that relate to your legal status here.
The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is available to assist you and answer your questions about your immigration status, but it is your responsibility to know and abide by the law in order to maintain valid legal status.
Schedule your check-in meeting online at Mandatory Pre-enrollment Training. You should bring your immigration documents to the check-in meeting, including the following:
- Passport
- Visa
- Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Form I-94
Job & Career Support
Check out Shorelight Career Services to build a strong foundation of core skills that kick start your career. https://shorelight.com/services/career/
Designed for computer science, engineering, and business students – earn the skills, certifications, and real-world experience to get hired after graduation.
https://shorelight.com/landing/career-premium/
- The Nevada Career Studio connects students and alumni with employers and faculty, building career readiness and preparation.
- Attend events and job fairs, plus benefit from in-person and virtual career guidance.
- Events and Job Fairs: plus In-person and Virtual help.
- Learn more here: https://www.unr.edu/career.
Scholarships & Finances
Make your payment no later than the due date listed on your Statement of Fees.
Pay via Flywire by Peer Transfer: Please visit Nevada Global’s Flywire portal to complete the transfer process. Please note that you cannot use a US credit card or US bank account to make your payment.
Find more information and application processes here: https://www.unr.edu/oiss/scholarships
Embarking on your educational journey in the United States shouldn’t come with the roadblock of finding a co-signer for financial aid. Shorelight recognizes this hurdle and has proactively partnered with premier financing organizations such as Fly Finance, MPower Financing, and Prodigy Finance. This strategic collaboration eliminates the traditional barriers international students face, such as the need for a co-signer, collateral, or an established US credit history, streamlining your path to securing educational funding.
Find the right loan organization for you on Shorelight.com.
Housing & Dining
Choosing where to live while studying for your degree is important – and indicating your accommodations preferences early is a required step in the enrollment process. Complete this housing form if you have not done so already: https://nevadaglobal.unr.edu/housing/housing-undergraduate/
If you are living off campus, please contact your student services manager with your address information.
Even if you are planning to live off campus, you can still get a dining card for meals on campus. Learn more here: https://dineoncampus.com/unr
Clubs, Organizations, and Fitness
The ASUN Department of Clubs and Organizations provides resources to more than 250 student clubs and organizations at University of Nevada, Reno. See more here: https://nevadaasun.com/clubs_orgs
Your student ID and membership with Fitness and Recreational Sports gives you full access to the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center, the Lombardi Pool, and all drop-in classes. Learn more here: https://www.unr.edu/fitness
Transfer Students
As you prepare for your arrival, it is important to plan early so that you have access to accurate coursework planning and registration guidance prior to the start of the semester.
How to prepare for arrival as a transfer student:
- Submit your official transcripts and/or credit-by-exam results no later than four weeks prior to arrival for final and official review of your transfer credits. Importantly, you should submit official transcripts as early as possible to ensure your final transfer credits are posted prior to arrival. Transcripts can be submitted through the contact information listed below.
Office of Admissions & Records
MS 0120
Reno, NV 89557-0120
~Must be in a secured, sealed envelop
~Must be sent directly from sending institution with an authorized email address or through a secure third-party transcript processing organization
~Preferred method for US institutions.
If you have completed credit from International Baccalaureate (IB) and/or Advanced Placement (AP), students are highly advised to submit their official exam transcriptions as soon as the official score(s) are available. Below, you can find important ordering and submission information for each of the accepted exams. Please note exam scores must be officially reviewed/approved by the university for credit to be granted.
- Collect course descriptions and/or course syllabi. Course syllabi are required in evaluating international transfer credit course equivalencies.
- Confirm that all official transcripts have been received by the Office of Admissions and Records prior to arrival. Allow for ample delivery time for mailed transcripts.
- Once completed, your final transfer credit evaluation will be visible on your MyNevada account. Review the results with a member of your academic advisor to see how your degree and major requirements are affected.
- Upon arrival, attend your required academic orientation. your academic advisor will be present for additional support. We are excited to welcome you — please introduce yourself and say hi! Be sure to let us know you’re a transfer student, too!
- Register for classes. With your transfer credits in mind, the Nevada Global team will offer support in course selection to ensure accurate coursework planning.
- Follow up and ensure all materials have been received by the University. Official transcripts are required to register for a future term and for accurate coursework planning.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus!