I was in the army for a number of years and was in college or some other form of training through all of it. So I know exactly what the college experience is like. UNLV falls short in many areas.
The Problems:
1) Being accepted to the college. What should have been a relatively easy process was made harder than it needed to be. I should of been accepted within a few weeks but in stead took 4 months just to get into the college...They gave me every excuse in the book even trying to site that my transcripts weren't turned in (I had signed "receipts" when I turned each on in myself and was still told they didnt get them
2) The registrar office doesnt really help you register for classes. it took me a day to finally find out that they dont really help you get into classes. I was trying to take Math 126 since I had the prereqs, but the system didnt recognize it. I call the registrar up and they give me the run around (this is after spending a couple hours trying to get through on the phone). Then they finally tell me to call the math department because who took there sweet time getting me into the class I needed.
3) The math department at UNLV should be avoided at all costs. The math department is micromanaged by the department head that it is nearly impossible for students to learn anything. Nearly the entire class schedule is made by the department . No study guide for the DEPARTMENT final is giving...Not even the teachers know what will be on the final. The teachers themselves are almost all students themselves. My Math 126 instructor had never even taught before.
4) UNLV is a research school and as such places more emphasis (when it comes to the sciences) on research than on teaching. Many, many teachers within UNLV science departments seem to be actual experts in there fields but an expert doesnt always translate into a good instructor. I had one instruct who went on tangents that had nothing to do with the class.
5) it took them almost 7 months to evaluate my transcripts!!!
The exceptions to this seem to be in the kiniesiology department. The instructors and advisory seem to be both knowledgeable and competent teachers.
In fact my experience has had more low points than high at UNLV. Mostly do to poor department management, poor instructors, and a seemingly ineffective staff at what should be key areas (admissions and registrar).