Visiting Students from Schools Abroad

1. To participate in an Icahn Mount Sinai elective you must be officially registered as a student at your home school.
2. Eligible visiting students are in their MD programs’ second to last or final year. If you already have an MD degree or equivalent, you are not eligible to apply.
3. All submitted documents MUST be in English or accompanied by an English translation that is a literal and complete version of the original document

Before applying, refer to the Elective Availability Section below for electives that are open to international students. To find the descriptions of each elective you can search for the elective in the elective catalog. In the application, you will be asked to rank your elective preferences. You may request an elective to begin any Monday of the month. Electives run for a four-week period, Monday through Friday. Icahn students have priority in clerkship rotation scheduling. The next priority is domestic visiting students, followed by international visiting students. You should not reach out to elective directors or coordinators before applying. 

Please note:

• Applying does not guarantee that you will participate in the elective program
• Approval to participate in an elective does not guarantee there will be rotation spots available during your preferred timeframe
• Incomplete online applications will not be reviewed

You can find the full application here.

• The list of electives available to international students can be found below. To find the descriptions of each elective you can search for the elective in the elective catalog.
• Your submitted application will serve as pre-clearance for the elective. Please do not contact electrive coordinator or faculty members for pre-clearance.
• Most of the electives list prerequisites, which normally apply to Mount Sinai students. As part of your International Visiting Student Application, reviewers will use your submitted transcript information to determine if you have satisfied similar prerequisites at your home school.
• We do not accept students during the month of July

Electives Available to International Students:

• ANE0006 Basic Course in Anesthesia
• ANE0385 Anesthesiology at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside
• DER0021 Dermatopathology
• DER0072 Pediatric Dermatology
• DER0073 Clinical Dermatology at Mount Sinai Health System
• EMR0058 Introduction to Emergency Toxicology
• MED0023 Clinical Cardiology
• MED0035 Clinical Renal Disease
• MED2044 Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• MED2288 Urgent Care Medicine (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• MED2436 Clinical Gastroenterology (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• MED2437 Outpatient Clinical Gastroenterology (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• NES0021 Neuroscience Elective
• NEU0189 Neurology Inpatient at Mount Sinai Hospital (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• OPH0120 Clinical Ophthalmology at BronxCare Health System
• ORT0007 Introduction to General Orthopaedics
• PAT0095 Introduction to Gastrointestinal Surgical Pathology
• PAT0100 Surgical Pathology
• PAT0137 Transfusion and Cellular Medicine
• PED0017 Neonatology
• PED0029 (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• PED0052 Infectious Diseases in Pediatrics
• PED0055 Pediatric Nephrology
• PED0087 Child Abuse–Identification and Treatment
• PED0236 Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes
• PED0344 Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Sub-Internship at Mount Sinai West
• PED0457 Pediatric Cardiology
• PSY0192 An Introduction to Electroconvulsive Therapy
• PSY0274 Elective In Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Beth Israel
• PSY0280 Personality Disorders/Ambulatory Advanced Clerkship at Mount Sinai West
• RAD0208 Musculoskeletal Radiology
• RAI0012 Radiation Oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital
• REH0002 Musculoskeletal Rehab at Mount Sinai Hospital (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• REH0005 Rehab of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury and Cerebrovascular Disorders (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• REH0007 Rehabilitation of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• SUR0005 Cardiac Surgery
• SUR0007 Care of the Critically Ill Patients (EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ONLY)
• SUR0022 General Thoracic Surgery
• SUR0030 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• SUR0041 Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation
• SUR0054 Liver Transplantation
• SUR0311 Clinical Wound Care
• SUR0316 Liver Surgery
• SUR0332 General Thoracic Surgery/Robotics at MS West
• SUR0378 Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Sub-Internship at Mount Sinai Hospital and MS West
• SUR0537 Clinical Neurosurgical Care Acting Internship

You can find the full application here. Below is a list of all requirements.

An acceptance or rejection letter will be sent to the student via email about 10 to 12 weeks before the requested start date, provided that your application arrives by the due dates at the top of the page. If you do not submit your application by the deadline you may not receive an acceptance or rejection letter and your application will not be reviewed. Note: The original dates requested may change if the department has a specific elective block or if the date originally requested is not available. If the student is accepted, they must confirm acceptance via email.  

1. 1. TOEFL Score: The minimum test result to meet the Icahn Mount Sinai requirements is 22-30 in each category. A TOEFL score is required if you are from a non-English-speaking country and if your institution does not teach in English.
   2. Official Transcript: Must be an official school transcript listing all courses you have completed so far in medical school. If the original document is not in English, it must be officially translated to English
   3. Letter of Good Standing: Must be on the school’s letterhead with a signature of a school official. The letter must state that you are in good standing and must include your expected graduation date.
   4. Letter of Recommendation: At least one required, only two will be accepted. These recommendations should be from faculty members who have directly observed your clinical skills and abilities from an in-patient setting. Letter of Recommendation must be on the official school letterhead.
   5. Curriculum Vitae: A summary of your qualifications and experience.
   6. Copy of Biographical Passport Page
   7. Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certificate
   8. Health Clearance
      • Physical Exam (within one year before rotation start date)
      • Tuberculosis screening (within one year before rotation start date)
        • PPD or IGRA test
        • If history of positive TB test: provide chest X-ray results
      • Required immunizations
        • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
        • Varicella (Chickenpox)
        • Hepatitis B
        • COVID-19 - fully vaccinated and booster (if eligible)
        • Tdap
        •  
      • Strongly recommended immunization
        • Polio
   9. Payment: An application fee of $1,000 will be required. This fee is non-refundable. If this is not paid, your application will not be processed. We accept the below payment methods. We will only review your application once payment is received. 

• • • Bank draft
    • Money Order
    • Cashier’s Check
    • Traveler’s Check

Your payment can be sent to:

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1255
New York, NY 10029
Re: International Visiting Student

1. USMLE Step 1: Submit a copy of your Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) score if you have taken the exam.
2. Personal Statement of Intent: Detail your motivations and goal objectives succinctly

Upon acceptance into an elective, participants will need to provide additional documents prior to enrolling in their elective. The Post Acceptance Form can be found here. Below is the list of requirements.

1. Upload a copy of your medical insurance you will have while completing your elective(s)
2. Upload a copy of your valid Visa
3. Infection Control Course: MyMedCerts | New York State Infection Control
4. HIPAA Training: HIPAA Training Online $10 | Become HIPAA Compliant (blxtraining.com)
5. New York State Department of Education Letter of Eligibility Application: This document must be completed and mailed with a letter of good standing, your acceptance letter from Icahn Mount Sinai, the Infection Control Certificate and a check for $30 (USD).
6. Acceptance Fee: An acceptance fee of $2,000 (USD) for each four-week elective is required along with a $150 (USD) student health fee. We accept the below methods of payment

• Bank draft
• Money Order
• Cashier’s Check
• Travelers Check

Your payment can be sent to:

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1255
New York, NY 10029
Re: International Visiting Student

6. Once you receive your Letter of Eligibility from New York State you must email the letter to visiting-students@mssm.edu before the first day of your elective.
7. Once the Post Acceptance Form has been completed, you’ve paid for the elective and we have received your Letter of Eligibility, you will receive an email regarding where to go on the first day of your elective.
8. Once received, you must email your I-94 by the first day of your elective to visiting-students@mssm.edu

How to I take an elective at the Icahn Mount Sinai as an international visiting student?

Interested students whose medical school is outside of the United States can apply for participation in the International Visiting Student Program. Students apply by reviewing resource information first then completing an online application form. Please refer to the Admission Qualifications section above to get started.

Students may not apply by contacting Icahn Mount Sinai doctors, faculty, or program coordinators. Any documents sent outside the application process will not be processed.

Do all international student applicants get into their desired elective?

There are a limited number of students who are accepted into each elective. Availability is subject to change for each block based on multiple factors, such as the number of available spots, number of Icahn students enrolled, number of domestic visiting students enrolled.

Can I take a core clerkship at Icahn Mount Sinai?

No, core clerkships must be completed at your home school before coming to Icahn Mount Sinai as a visiting student. International students can only participate in specific electives.

I'm a U.S. citizen. What’s the criteria for being considered an international vs domestic visiting student?

The elective program is based on your home school’s location, not your citizenship. If your home medical school is located outside of the United States, you are considered an international visiting student.

What type of visa do I need?

Visa requirements are determined by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs.  You may be qualified for the Visa Waiver Program (state.gov). It is the student's sole responsibility to understand their individual travel requirements when considering applying for participation in an elective.

I want to observe/shadow rather than take an elective, is that possible?

The observer program has re-opened as of March 14, 2023. Observers fall under volunteer services and students can email observers@mountsinai.org with any questions. If you are interested in the observer program or research opportunities, please contact the department you're interested in directly. Learn more about our Departments and Divisions here. 

What happens to my application after I’ve submitted all the required documents?

After required documents are submitted, the applications are reviewed and departments are sent applications for review. Acceptances are communicated with the Electives Manager and Coordinator and available electives are scheduled after Icahn students and domestic visiting students.

Is housing offered to international visiting students?

Housing at the Icahn School of Medicine is extremely limited. Once accepted, students can complete this application for housing opportunities. Please contact the Housing Manager, Cynthia Morales, via email at cynthia.morales@mountsinai.org or call 212-659-9627 with any questions regarding housing.