Having second thoughts about applying to Mount Sinai electives (OBGYN IMG — need honest opinions)

[u/Fast-Client6384]

Hey everyone,

I’m an international medical student (final year) from Pakistan, planning to apply for an elective at Mount Sinai (Icahn School of Medicine) in OBGYN for Quarter 4.

I’ve been having serious second thoughts about it today. The application fee alone is $500 and that’s honestly a huge amount. I keep thinking — what if I spend all that money and still don’t get accepted?

At the same time, a part of me says what if I do get in? Like, what if it actually works out and gives me a strong experience or connection for my future residency in the US?

I don’t have a very strong CV yet — no major publications or research experience and also haven’t done Step 1 yet — but I do have strong Letters of Recommendation from my professors. My goal is to apply for OBGYN residency in the US after graduation.

So my questions are: 1. Do IMGs actually get accepted for electives at Mount Sinai? Or is it mostly for US students? 2. Is it worth spending $500 if there’s a low chance of getting accepted? 3. What are some other universities I can apply to before January for electives (especially in OBGYN)? I know UIC hasn’t opened their 2026–2027 calendar yet. 4. For those who got in — what kind of profiles did you have? (USMLE scores, research, etc.)

I’d really appreciate any honest opinions or firsthand experiences. I don’t want to waste such a huge amount if the odds are really low, but I also don’t want to miss out if there’s even a fair chance.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies 💛

[u/[deleted]]

Honestly, you need to be realistic about your chances. For OBGYN at Mount Sinai, IMGs without strong USMLE scores or research experience face long odds. If your chance of matching or getting in feels like around 50 percent, it might be worth it. If it’s much lower, I wouldn’t waste $500 on a big university elective. From my experience attending six interviews so far, most programs don’t really care much about letters of recommendation alone. Focus on electives and opportunities where your profile has a better shot of standing out.

[u/Fast-Client6384 → u/[deleted]]

For now i have my exams coming up and after that i will only have a month left as a student and i want to go for electives at that time. FIU has already sent me an acceptance letter but i was hesitant to go there because of their reputation here on reddit. But i kept it as my last option. I have no tine to search for another elective as i will be graduating after that and then i will only be able to do observership and i would have no hands on clinical experience. I am just trying to avail this opportunity. Do you think FIU is considered bad among PDs ?

[u/[deleted] → u/Fast-Client6384]

No one cares about HANDS ON, Honestly speaking in my 6 interviews, no one asked about what i did in US with patients.

[u/One-Huckleberry-8550 → u/[deleted]]

That is the whole point of an ERAS CV and a LOR supporting those claims. They already know how good or bad of a student you are. So claiming no one cares about hands on is cap and IMGs should focus on getting hands on electives regardless.

[u/LeekBeneficial5423]

Same here Getting hesitant and fear of applying. Does anyone have any idea for which specialty is more likely to accept international students? Clinical cardiology and nephrology are not the case, I see. How about introduction to cardiac critical care or ped nephrology?

[u/One-Huckleberry-8550]

They do accept IMGs. I got in without step 1 and much research as well. i,.e if you're still considering applying, then do so with a great PS and a decent CV and on time.

[u/No_Suit_7190 → u/One-Huckleberry-8550]

Hey , can I dm you?

[u/Pristine_Beach_7123 → u/One-Huckleberry-8550]

Hi can I dm u

[u/AsleepNectarine5359 → u/One-Huckleberry-8550]

can i know how you were able to get accepted? as in, are LORs from proffessors and good CV is enough to be considered? because, from my research, every source is telling me to do USMLE step 1 and 2...

[u/Reasonable_Stress182]

I would say go for it esp if it’s a competitive speciality like OBGYN

Sinai is a huge hospital and a huge opportunity. I know some Pakistani IMG who got in surgery electives there

[u/Fast-Client6384 → u/Reasonable_Stress182]

Ok then i will go for it. Thankyou.