17 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Colorado
For high school students in Colorado who are interested in medicine, summer programs can be a great way to learn more about the field and explore healthcare careers. These programs provide practical learning, professional mentorship, and exposure to subfields like pediatrics, surgery, biomedical engineering, and veterinary medicine.
Medical programs may also offer a variety of engagement opportunities, such as lab research, clinical simulations, or interdisciplinary projects. As a participant, you can develop skills, assess your interests, define career goals, and strengthen your college applications.
Below is a detailed list of 17 summer medical programs for high schoolers in Colorado. We have offered a mix of local in-person and virtual programs, offering you options that align with your schedule and preferences.
1. Children's Hospital Colorado’s Summer Child Health Research Internship
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application deadline: February; applications open in December
Eligibility: High school seniors who are Colorado residents and at least 18 when the internship starts
Conducted at the Anschutz Medical Campus, this internship allows you to join a biomedical laboratory led by the Department of Pediatrics faculty. You will engage in child health research and attend a seminar series led by researchers. You will work on your research project and develop lab skills in the process. At the end of the program, you will share your findings in the form of an oral or poster presentation and develop an abstract suitable for submission to regional or national meetings. If your research is accepted for presentation at a scientific conference/meeting, the program will cover the travel and registration costs for your participation at the event.
2. Veritas AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
3. Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Medical Career Collaborative (MC²)
Location: Various locations in Colorado (e.g., Denver Health, Anschutz Medical Campus, Broomfield, Highlands Ranch, Colorado Springs)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~17%; 60 students accepted each year
Dates: Six weeks; dates vary by location
Application deadline: Not listed
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores in the Denver metro area or the Colorado Springs area
During MC², you will spend six weeks at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, or other health facilities, completing 100–120 paid hours of hospital work. You will be placed in a hospital department and receive one-on-one mentorship from nurses, physicians, and allied staff. Seminars covering topics in healthcare, as well as mini certification courses offering skill-building opportunities, are part of the experience. You will also learn medical terminology, explore roles in healthcare, and participate in field trips during the program. You will have access to post-secondary support and professional development assistance after your junior year to help you plan your educational and career path.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Medical Student Experience @ University of Colorado Boulder
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $650; full scholarship available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 to 12
During the Medical Student Experience program, you will explore the field of medicine under the guidance of medical professionals and trainees. You will participate in activities such as conducting physical examinations, observing medical simulations, and visiting anatomy labs. You will practice suturing and administering injections during the program. Additionally, you will get to engage in clinical research presentations to get some exposure to research in medicine. The program also offers opportunities to interact with healthcare professionals, allowing you to learn about various career options in the medical field.
6. University of Colorado’s BOLT Camp
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $975; limited number of scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 5 | June 9 – 12 | June 23 – 26
Application deadline: Not specified; typically open until filled
Eligibility: High school students
At BOLT (Biomedical Engineering Outreach and Leadership Training), you will explore the biomedical engineering field through hands-on projects. You will work in a team to design, build, and test a prototype and engage in a design competition while exploring biomedical engineering research and general engineering principles. You will also interact with the university faculty and students to learn about career paths in bioengineering. The experience focuses on helping you develop leadership skills and use your ideas to address bioengineering and clinical problems. The experience can help you develop technical engineering and design abilities and soft skills required to become a bioengineer.
7. SciVet @ Colorado State University
Location: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Cost: $1,770 (Residential) | $1,170 (Commuter); a limited number of fee waivers available
Cohort size: 21
Dates: July 16 – 20
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
SciVet at Colorado State University is a weeklong practical introduction to scientific and veterinary practices. Here, you will learn about wildlife research, veterinary medicine, wolves, bees, and equine-assisted therapy through presentations, demonstrations, and laboratory visits. You will engage in activities like tree coring and building a flower model to understand bee pollination, biodiversity, and behavior. You will also attend sessions covering prep for college and vet school. The experience can offer some experience in scientific investigation techniques and tools that are crucial for pursuing a medical career.
8. University of Colorado’s STEM Research Experience
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO; CU Boulder campus, Boulder, CO
Cost: $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 6 – July 25
Application deadline: Priority: March 2; Regular: March 30
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old by June 6
The University of Colorado offers a six-week mentored research opportunity to high schoolers through its STEM Research Experience Program. Here, you will work on a research project in a lab under the guidance of a mentor, who will be a CU faculty member or a graduate student. You can choose a research topic in fields like medicine, immunology, biology, neuroscience, pharmaceuticals, pulmonary science, critical medicine, bioengineering, renal, and microbiology. You will also have access to a weekly Research Methods seminar to understand how to conduct research. You will spend most of your time reviewing scientific literature, participating in experiments, working with data for your research, and developing a scientific poster to communicate your results at a dedicated poster session.
9. CU Pre-Health Scholars Program: High School Track
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer intensive: Weeklong sessions in June and July; exact dates vary by grade level + Saturday Academy sessions: Once a month in September, October, November, February, March, and April + Annual celebration in May
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school students in Colorado
The CU Pre-Health Scholars Program offers high schoolers exposure to healthcare careers as well as research and STEAM fields. Here, you will explore areas like biology and biomedical sciences, health equity, biotechnology, coding, and health science research through interactive sessions, guest lectures, and collaborative activities. The program also offers instruction and guidance on career exploration, financial planning, and future academics. During the program, you will enrol in credit-bearing courses and certification programs to build skills like suturing and the knowledge necessary to pursue healthcare careers. Poster presentation is another key part of the experience. As a participant, you will have access to ongoing support throughout your high school years if you remain active in the program.
10. University of Colorado’s Biomedical Research Bootcamp
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $1,200; full scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – 20
Application deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 to 12
The Biomedical Research Bootcamp is a two-week program for students interested in exploring research through hands-on experiences. At camp, you will get to develop lab skills, learn about biomedical laboratory techniques, and the ethics involved in biomedical research through activities, discussions, and skill sessions. Throughout the program, you will learn and follow safety guidelines and experimental protocols and record data in a lab notebook. You will learn about the field of research through visits to research facilities with advanced equipment. You will also get to interact with scientists, learn about research careers, and develop your own scientific research proposal during the program.
11. Colorado Health Careers Academy
Location: Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO; Community College of Denver, Lowry, CO
Cost: $229; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: ACC (Littleton Campus) Session: June 9 – 27 | CCD (Lowry Campus) Session: July 7 – 25
Application deadline: January 31 (for priority consideration); applications are accepted on a rolling basis after the priority deadline.
Eligibility: High school students and young adults, ages 16–24
The Colorado Health Careers Academy is a three-week opportunity to explore healthcare careers through a combination of live webinars and on-site sessions on the campus of Arapahoe Community College and the Community College of Denver. As a participant, you will participate in health career exploration through online webinars, virtual job shadowing, presentations, and career panels. Additionally, you will get access to academic guidance and support to help you pursue a career or education in healthcare. The program also offers exposure to medical labs and the opportunity to earn a certification in Basic Life Support. During the program, you will engage in workshops covering key professional aspects like resume writing, interviewing techniques, and career planning.
12. University of Colorado Science Discovery: Neuroscience
Location: Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building at the University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Cost: $650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: Session I: June 23 – 27 | Session II: July 28 – August 1
Application deadline: Session I: June 13 | Session II: July 18
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders
As part of CU Science Discovery, the Neuroscience program is a one-week opportunity to learn about the brain, primarily its sensory systems, memory, and behavior. You will learn about the structure, function, and other aspects of the brain through various approaches, including anatomy and physiology, neuroscience, psychology, and genetics. You will engage in laboratory tours and guest presentations to build upon foundational knowledge of the brain. The program also offers opportunities to conduct mini-experiments to investigate aspects of memory, sensory processing, and cognitive load. The experience can offer insights into medical and neuroscience research.
13. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: $850 and a $40 application fee; scholarships available
Cohort size: ~25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual program for high school students interested in learning about the role of AI in healthcare. Here, you will get to explore the basics of AI in the context of medicine and healthcare and work on solving a real medical challenge with the assistance of AI-based tools. Throughout the program, you will be able to access mentorship offered by researchers and Stanford Student Leads. You will also participate in social activities, group work sessions, and virtual sessions led by guest speakers from backgrounds like government, nonprofits, academia, and industry. You can seek an extended research internship opportunity to continue exploring AI-based solutions once the program ends.
14. SummerScience@Jefferson
Location: Virtual
Cost: $650
Cohort size: 30 students
Dates: June 23 – July 22
Application deadline: May 30
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed a high school-level biology course
Thomas Jefferson University offers high school students a four-week opportunity to explore the biomedical sciences and scientific research through its SummerScience@Jefferson program. Here, you will engage in a detailed exploration of topics like gene editing, genomics, cell biology, and the etiology and pathogenesis of various diseases through lectures, discussions, and lab exposure. You will also participate in virtual lab experiences involving PCR, DNA fingerprinting, diagnosing infections using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and isolation of genomic DNA. A key part of the program is project work, which involves researching a topic of your choice and presenting it at the end of the program during the Virtual Summer Science Symposium.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual option available for Colorado students
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Five weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in North America
JHIBS offers a five-week virtual summer research internship for students interested in exploring the field of neuroscience and biomedical research. Here, you will engage in online sessions led by researchers and scientists, learn about the scientific method and research process, and participate in experiments. You will also get to learn laboratory techniques, engage in scientific presentations, and connect with professionals and peers. The program also offers access to professional development workshops and college preparatory classes to help you explore educational and career paths in the medical field.
16. Michigan State University’s Health Sciences Scholar Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: May 7
Eligibility: 10th- and 11th-grade students with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Health Sciences Summer Institute is a free four-week introduction to the medical profession. Here, you will get insights into the educational journey and daily work of physicians through interactive virtual sessions and networking opportunities. You may also get career guidance and opportunities to develop technical and soft skills during the four-week program. You will engage virtually every weekday with university faculty and other academically advanced peers interested in pursuing medical careers.
17. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,500 + $95 application fee; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Program 1: June 23 – July 4 | Program 2: July 14 – July 25
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in January
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16; those under 16 can apply if they are a junior/senior in high school
Stanford’s Cardiothoracic Surgical Summer Internship is a two-week virtual opportunity to explore cardiothoracic surgery and surgical techniques. Here, you will attend lectures and surgical lab sessions to explore topics like cardiac diseases, imaging techniques, anatomy, and various surgical procedures. In the afternoons, you will undergo training on the use of surgical instruments. You will also get some experience in techniques like vessel anastomosis, suturing, and porcine heart dissection. Throughout the program, you will learn foundational surgical methods and connect with Stanford faculty and surgical residents.
Image source - Stanford University