The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) is the first medical school in the country to create progressive and rigorous admissions pathways for students who seek early assurance of admission. The Donald and Vera Blinken FlexMed Program allows college sophomores in any major to apply for early assurance of acceptance to our school. The Institutional Partnership Program allows students in the military an alternative pathway to medical school.
Once accepted, you are free to pursue your educational plan unencumbered by the traditional science requirements and the MCAT. Students who are accepted to the School, are expected to adhere to all of our program requirements prior to entry.
Donald and Vera Blinken FlexMed Program
"FlexMed is all about flexibility in your education and the opportunity to pursue what you love to learn. It allows talented students with lots of initiative to 'flex' their intellectual, creative, humanistic, and scientific muscles during college.”
Dean for Medical Education, Professor and Marietta and Charles C. Morchand Chair in Medical Education
The world of biomedical science and health care delivery is changing. Our Donald and Vera Blinken FlexMed Program allows a new cohort of students to join our tradition of cultivating future physicians who are self-directed learners, thrive on academic rigor and mentorship, and have a strong appreciation of human rights and social justice. Named to both honor the legacy of Abraham Flexner—a pioneer educator who revolutionized medical education early in the 20th century—and reflect the Blinkens’ generosity in expanding the program, FlexMed is transforming medical education by cultivating physicians who are grounded in 21st century science as well as in the social context in which they will practice medicine.
“Intellectual curiosity is as important as a stethoscope, and we’re pleased to support young people who are interested in the world and have broadened their horizons through the study of literature, history, and philosophy. It gives these students a real edge in their medical careers.”
—Donald and Vera Blinken, FlexMed Benefactors
Who Can Apply?
The Donald and Vera Blinken FlexMed Program is open to all undergraduate sophomores in good academic standing from any major. The program draws students who concentrate in biomedical sciences, the humanities and social sciences, and computational sciences and engineering.
You must be entering your second year of college as a full-time student, working towards your first bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university in the US or Canada.
“FlexMed allows undergraduate students to delve deeper into their academic passions during their college careers, becoming leaders on campus in research, advocacy, and extracurricular activities.”
—Valerie Parkas, MD, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Recruitment
In order to be eligible to apply, students must have taken either the SAT or ACT and must complete at least one academic year of biology, OR one academic year of chemistry, OR one academic year of physics by the application deadline. AP credit does not count toward the eligibility course requirements.
Institutional Partnership Program
The medical education program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai welcomes prospective students from diverse and innovative experiences to explore how they can be contributors in the classroom and the health care field. Through an institutional partnership with the military, we are able to offer an alternative pathway to medical school.
The following unique pathways allow talented individuals who are interested in earning a medical degree to apply for admission to the School unencumbered by traditional pre-med requirements and the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT):
The U.S. Military
Our Institutional Partnership with the Military allows enlisted men and women, as well as officers, provisional acceptance to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) unencumbered by the traditional science requirements and MCAT. To be considered for admission, applicants must be on full-time active duty within any branch of service and hold a baccalaureate degree recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Candidates admitted into the Program are offered provisional acceptance to ISMMS and then may defer their acceptance to continue their military service and meet all necessary requirements.