Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
General Information of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Overview
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) is a private, research-intensive medical school located in New York City and affiliated with the Mount Sinai Health System. It prepares physician-scientists and clinical practitioners through its MD program, dual degree pathways (such as MD/PhD, MD/MPH), graduate biomedical science programs and post-doctoral training. The school sits at the border of the Upper East Side and East Harlem, offering students a richly diverse urban clinical environment. With more than 4,560+ faculty and over 1,261 students enrolled in MD, PhD, MD/PhD and master’s programs for the 2024-25 academic year, the institution emphasizes innovation in curriculum, access to extensive research labs (~350+), integration of health equity and community service, and early clinical exposure.
The mission is to “dramatically advance the art and science of medical care through an atmosphere of collaborative learning and scholarly inquiry.” The institution’s strategic location in NYC, strong research funding, high-impact faculty, and commitment to serving underserved populations create a powerful environment for students seeking leadership roles in medicine, research and public health.
Contact Information
Address: 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1217, New York, NY 10029-5674, United States Icahn School of Medicine
Phone Number: 212-241-6500 Icahn School of Medicine
Email Address: (General Admissions) admissions@icahn.mssm.edu (approximate)
School Facts
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1963 (as Mount Sinai School of Medicine) Vikipedi+1 |
| Type | Private medical school affiliated with Mount Sinai Health System |
| Location | New York City (Upper East Side / East Harlem) |
| Degrees Offered | MD, MD/PhD, MD/MPH, PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Master’s programs |
| Research Institutes | 48 research, educational and clinical institutes Icahn School of Medicine |
| Faculty | Over 4,560 full-time, part-time and voluntary faculty members Icahn School of Medicine |
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Rankings
| Ranking Source | National / U.S. Position | Other / Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025) | =89 for ISMMS Top Universities | — |
| SCImago Institutional Rankings (2025) | Research percentile: 3rd, Innovation percentile: 9th, Societal percentile: 3rd scimagoir.com | — |
| U.S. News & World Report – Medical Schools (Research) | Ranked among top 20 for research; historically #18 in earlier cycles Mount Sinai Today | — |
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academics
Faculties / Departments
At ISMMS the academic structure encompasses multiple departments and divisions including:
- Department of Biomedical Sciences
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences
- Department of Neuroscience
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pharmacology
- Department of Medicine (Clinical Sciences)
- Department of Population Health Science
- Department of Public Health, Biostatistics & Epidemiology
- MD/PhD Program Office
- Office of Medical Education and Curriculum Innovation
These departments collectively support medical, graduate and research training, enabling students to pursue clinical, translational and basic-science careers.
Courses and Programs / Majors
Programs offered include:
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) – 4-year curriculum with early clinical exposure, longitudinal experiences and research opportunities.
- MD/PhD program – training physician-scientists combining clinical and research pathways.
- MD/MPH or MD/MSCR (Master of Science in Clinical Research) dual degree tracks.
- PhD programs in biomedical sciences (e.g., genetics, neuroscience, immunology).
- Master’s degree programs (e.g., MS in Clinical Research, MS in Epidemiology, MS in Biotechnology).
- Postdoctoral training and certificate programs in specialized domains.
Online Learning
While the core MD and PhD programs at ISMMS are fully in-person given the high clinical and laboratory component, the institution offers a number of hybrid or online modules within its graduate and master’s programs. For example, some master’s degree courses may be delivered remotely or in blended format, supporting flexibility for working professionals or interdisciplinary learners.
Average Test Scores
| Test / Metric | Typical Range / Middle 50% |
|---|---|
| MCAT (incoming MD class) | Mean ~519 (as of 2022-23 data) Shemmassian Academic Consulting |
| Undergraduate GPA (incoming MD class) | Average ~3.81 (2022-23) Shemmassian Academic Consulting |
Retention and Graduation Rates
ISMMS reports exceptionally high student outcomes: for example, students in the MD program exceed the national average pass rate for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 first attempt. Icahn School of Medicine Because of intensive support, research immersion and integrated curriculum, retention through the medical and graduate pathways remains strong, though specific published retention percentages for all programs are not widely available.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Applicants to the MD program at ISMMS are expected to have a strong academic background, including a competitive MCAT score (often ~519), and a cumulative GPA well above 3.5, often closer to 3.8-4.0 in recent matriculants. The admissions process is highly holistic and values early research, service, leadership and fit with the institution’s mission of health equity and innovation. Shemmassian Academic Consulting+1
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Acceptance Rate
| Program Level | Approximate Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| MD Program (2024-25 cycle) | ~3.4% (119 matriculants from ~8,540 applications) Shemmassian Academic Consulting |
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a primary application via AMCAS, including official transcripts, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and extensive documentation of activities, leadership, research and service. After screening, invited candidates complete a secondary application with additional essay questions addressing ISMMS’s mission, undergo interviews (often multiple), and must meet technical standards and health-clearance requirements. Applicants to dual degree programs also need to demonstrate interest in research or public health. The school reviews not only academic metrics but alignment with innovation, social concern, collaborative learning and readiness for biomedical discovery.
Application Process
- Submit AMCAS primary application with transcripts and MCAT scores
- Receive and submit school-specific secondary application and essays
- Interview invitations issued (in-person or virtual)
- Undergo offer of acceptance, complete matriculation steps (orientation, health clearance, technical standards)
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Program | Deadline Approximation |
|---|---|
| MD Program (First-year entry) | Application cycle opens in May; secondary typically June/July; final interviews into fall; matriculation following winter break of prior year |
Essay Prompt
Typical essay prompts ask applicants to articulate their motivation for pursuing medicine at ISMMS, how they have contributed to scientific inquiry or community service, how they will embrace the school’s mission of collaborative learning and social concern, and how they envision their future role as physician-scientist, clinician or healthcare leader.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Scholarships
ISMMS offers a robust financial aid program including the “Enhanced Scholarship Initiative,” which aims to limit debt burden by guaranteeing that students with demonstrated need will borrow no more than a set amount and have remaining need met via scholarships. Need-based institutional scholarships, merit awards, and external funding opportunities support affordability.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Program | Estimated Annual Tuition / Fees |
|---|---|
| MD Program (2025-26 tuition) | Tuition & fees ~$74,208 per year Icahn School of Medicine |
| Cost of Attendance (COA) | Total COA ~$100,309 for NY medical schools including ISMMS Students & Residents |
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
For the 2025 entering MD class at ISMMS: 54% women, mean age 23 (range 20-39), first-generation college attendees 14%, and 33% had two or more gap years. Icahn School of Medicine Racial/ethnic diversity includes broad representation with over 20 languages spoken at advanced or native levels among matriculants. Icahn School of Medicine
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
The institution provides dedicated support services for students with disabilities, access to accommodations in clinical, laboratory and research settings, and financial-aid support targeted at students from low-income backgrounds. The school’s mission emphasizes service to underserved populations, and the admissions process values applicants with such backgrounds.
Student Body
| Category | Value (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Total Students (2024-25) | ~1,261 students in MD, PhD, MD/PhD, Master’s programs Icahn School of Medicine |
| Undergraduate Institutions Represented | 52 different undergraduate schools among the 2025 entering class Icahn School of Medicine |
University Diversity
Diversity is a central element of ISMMS’s identity. The school embraces students from varied ethnic, geographic, linguistic and experiential backgrounds. With 35% of entering medical students planning to practice in underserved communities and 94% conducting research projects with faculty (higher than national averages), students engage meaningfully in inclusive education and community-based care. Icahn School of Medicine Language diversity, representation of first-generation learners, multiple gap-year entrants, and early service-learning in East Harlem and other community sites contribute to a culturally rich and socially engaged student experience.
Average Earnings
Graduates of ISMMS enter residencies across the nation; first-year resident salaries typically begin in the $65,000-$70,000 range, with substantial increases as they progress into attending roles, specialized practices or academic tracks. Given the institution’s research and clinical prestige, alumni often achieve leadership roles, academic appointments, high-earning clinical careers and opportunities in innovation. The rigorous training and strong institutional reputation support long-term earnings potential and career advancement.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
ISMMS boasts over 4,560 faculty members (full-time, part-time and voluntary) as of the 2024-25 academic year. Icahn School of Medicine Faculty include clinicians, scientists, educators, researchers and mentors who support MD, PhD, master’s and post-doctoral programs. Staff teams provide student affairs, research infrastructure, simulation labs, clinical coordination, diversity initiatives and wellness resources. The depth and breadth of faculty enable small-group learning, hands-on mentorship and cutting-edge research involvement for students.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty at ISMMS are recognized nationally and internationally for research, clinical innovation and leadership. For example, 27 faculty members are elected to the National Academy of Medicine and/or National Academy of Sciences. Icahn School of Medicine Faculty engage in high-impact translational research, lead major institutes in neuroscience, immunology, genomics, population health and precision medicine, publish in top journals, and secure substantial NIH funding. Their active involvement ensures students learn from leaders bridging science, clinical care and healthcare innovation.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Located in Manhattan, the ISMMS campus is integrated into the city’s vibrant academic and clinical environment. Students access residence halls near the Upper East Side/East Harlem, student lounges, wellness services, research facilities, simulation centers and communal spaces. Housing costs reflect New York City living; students often budget accordingly and many programs include housing guidance and stipends. Student life includes robust extracurricular engagement: student-run clinics, global health initiatives, innovation and entrepreneurship labs, community outreach programs, diversity and wellness groups, and inter-professional events with the broader Mount Sinai Health System.
Transportation
The campus is well served by New York City public transit—subway, bus, commuter rail and taxi/ride-share services. Clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals across Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn are accessible via transit. The city’s infrastructure enables students to commute to clinical, research and service sites efficiently. On-campus parking may be limited in the urban setting; many students rely on public transport, walking, biking or rideshare. Public transportation access significantly enhances student mobility, convenience and engagement in clinical and community settings.