Year One at Icahn Mount Sinai begins with an intensive orientation that not only introduces students to Icahn Mount Sinai but also immerses them in the health challenges and opportunities within the East Harlem community. This foundation year focuses on core scientific principles in human anatomy, biochemistry, and molecular biology, integrated with initial clinical exposure through the Art and Science of Medicine course.

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As students progress to the second year, the curriculum expands into more complex areas such as neurology, psychiatry, and systemic pathophysiology, reflecting a clear, organ system-based approach. Year Two is crucial for deepening understanding of the mechanisms of disease and treatment options, supported by continued clinical practice and research training. Preparation for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step One is rigorous, incorporating advanced research methodologies and critical data analysis skills through the InFocus sessions, ensuring our students are well prepared for national licensing examinations.

At Icahn Mount Sinai, the second year includes a formal skills-based curriculum in research data analysis, as well as an emphasis on advocacy, human rights, evidence-based medicine, and career planning.  Students additionally pursue milestone-based, self-directed learning, discovery, and leadership development opportunities during the protected half-days of Flex Time.

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The Year Three curriculum combines rotations in key clinical areas with 10 weeks of elective time for career exploration. The schedule is comprised of four 12-week modules that provide exposure to care across the human lifespan: ambulatory care, anesthesiology, geriatrics and palliative care, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. These rotations are designed to refine diagnostic and therapeutic skills under the guidance of experienced clinicians, enhancing our students' ability to operate within multidisciplinary teams. Targeted complementary educational content in InFocus weeks additionally support the development of specialized skills in patient safety and health system navigation.

View a Year Three Sample Schedule

In their final year, students are given the flexibility to tailor their education through electives that align with their specific career interests, alongside mandatory advanced clinical rotations. Year Four is key to solidifying their readiness for residency, with ample opportunities for students to engage in interviews and make informed decisions about their future specialties. Our curriculum aims to ensure that graduates are not only clinically adept but also capable of leadership and innovation in their subsequent medical careers.

View a Year Four Sample Schedule

At Icahn Mount Sinai, we foster an environment that emphasizes reflective practice and a commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Our curriculum incorporates a comprehensive range of learner assessment tools, approved by the Executive Oversight Committee, to provide both formative and summative feedback, ensuring that students achieve and demonstrate the program competencies effectively.

These assessment methodologies are varied and evidence-based, and encompass written and computer-based exams, oral exams, skill demonstrations, standardized patient interactions, and clinical evaluations. As outlined in the Student Handbook, our grading system transitions from a Pass/Fail basis in Years One and Two to a more differentiated Honors/Pass/Fail system in Years Three and Four during clerkships and acting internships. This shift supports a gradual increase in responsibility and complexity in student assessments.

For students who encounter difficulties, our administrative and advising teams within the Office of Medical Student Affairs operate an early warning system. This system ensures that students receive timely and appropriate interventions based on assessment data, offering support resources such as tutoring, faculty guidance, and remedial programs as needed. This structured approach ensures that all students have the support they need to succeed throughout their medical education.