15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
If you are interested in medicine and are looking for a way to dive into the field beyond the classroom, consider a summer medical program. Medical programs are structured opportunities to explore healthcare through research, laboratory work, and clinical exposure. Many of these programs are hosted by universities and medical schools and introduce you to areas such as biomedical science, public health, and clinical medicine through activities and mentorship. Some programs emphasize research skills and lab techniques, while others focus on highlighting medical careers and the path to medical school.
Why should you attend a program in New Jersey?
New Jersey is home to hospitals and research institutions, like the Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, where you can get to learn in a real medical work environment. Programs in the state can connect you with doctors, nurses, and scientists who work at these facilities, allowing you to see firsthand what different healthcare careers actually look like. Beyond professional exposure, spending a summer in New Jersey gives you a chance to meet other students who share your interests, build connections early, and figure out whether a medical path is truly right for you.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 15 medical summer programs for high school students in New Jersey.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. RITMS Summer Research Program
Location: Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS), New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Third week of June – second week of August (eight weeks)
Application deadline: February 1; January 1 for Foreign Nationals
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older at the program start date and are entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year, with a GPA of at least 3.0 or all A's and B's in math and science courses; undergraduates can also apply.
RITMS’s eight-week program gives you the chance to work on translational medical research inside a real laboratory as part of a professional team at Rutgers University. You will take part in planning experiments, carrying them out, and presenting your findings through reports and presentations, getting a firsthand look at how biomedical science actually works. Throughout the program, you will have access to the mentorship of faculty, university students, and professional scientists. The program can also help you decide which college you want to attend, which field of science interests you most, and whether a career in medicine or research is the right path.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 10-week cohorts each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students who have prior experience with AI/coding or have completed the Veritas AI Scholars program
Veritas AI runs various virtual AI programs founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The Deep Dive: AI + Medicine program introduces you to the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medicine. Over the span of 25 hours, you will attend online sessions to learn about key concepts in medicine and AI. You will also get a chance to work on projects focused on the use of AI & ML models in medicine, for example, to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients.
3. Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science
Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ + labs in NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost + $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: January 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Partners in Science helps high school students explore science, health, or technical fields through an intensive lab-based experience hosted by Liberty Science Center and other NJ labs. You will work with your mentor in their lab and contribute to ongoing research and independent projects in areas like biomedical science. The experience introduces you to current scientific questions and methods in the chosen track. You will work on your project for 25 to 40 hours over seven to eight weeks in the summer, and present your work at the end of the session. You will also have access to professional development sessions conducted at the Liberty Science Center during the program.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Medical Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer cohorts, are scheduled each year.
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
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. 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 medicine, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES)
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; compensation offered to students to cover program expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Late June – August 25 (tentative)
Application deadline: March 8 or until spots are filled
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and graduated seniors/rising freshman undergraduates
RUYES is a mentored summer research experience designed to encourage high school students to pursue careers in cancer research and healthcare. You will work with faculty mentors on cancer-related research projects while developing scientific skills and gaining exposure to real-world biomedical research. The program also includes professional development activities, career exploration, and opportunities to build connections with researchers and peers. The program also offers insights into oncology, biomedical research, or laboratory-based science, along with a structured introduction to research and careers in the health sciences.
6. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Mid-July – Mid-August (four weeks)
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 17 years old by July 1 and are U.S. residents
The Coriell Summer Experience is a four-week laboratory program that allows high school students to work alongside professional scientists and technicians in biotechnology and biomedical research environments. You will gain exposure to real-world laboratory operations by assisting with activities such as DNA extraction, stem cell research techniques, and biobanking processes. You will join production and research labs to learn how biological samples are generated, preserved, and distributed for scientific studies. The program also runs career-focused sessions on resume-building and interviewing, along with weekly scientific seminars led by research faculty and guest speakers. The experience concludes with a formal presentation where you will share what you learned during the program.
7. Rowan University’s MEDacademy
Location: Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ
Cost: $3,000
Cohort size: 50 students/year
Dates: June 29 – July 24
Application deadline: April 1 (preferred deadline); applications accepted till slots are available
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.3+ who have completed math and science courses
MEDacademy is a four-week summer day program designed for high school students interested in a future in medicine. Hosted by Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, the program introduces you to the structure and expectations of medical education through lectures, clinical simulations, and case-based learning. You will study medical specialties such as pathology, cardiopulmonary medicine, gastroenterology, and neurology while interacting with faculty, physicians, and medical students. The schedule includes hands-on demonstrations, guest speakers, and guided exposure to clinical environments, helping you understand what a career in medicine entails. At the end of four weeks, you will deliver a collaborative research project presentation and potentially earn Rowan University academic credit. The following summer, you can enroll in MEDacademy Masters, a two-week advanced program that awards additional credits upon completion.
8. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program (GSSRP)
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Cost: Four-week session: $3,000 (early commitment) or $5,000 (standard) | Two-week session: $1,500 (early commitment) or $3,000 (standard); fee waivers are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four-week session: July 6 – 30 | Two-week session: July 20 – 30
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028)
GSSRP is a two- to four-week research program at Kean University that allows you to work with faculty and research staff on projects in areas like cancer biology, scientific computation, and drug discovery. Research streams vary from year to year but typically include interdisciplinary areas focused on the biology underlying medical phenomena. You will join a collaborative research team and receive guidance from faculty and student mentors to learn how scientific research actually works. The program also runs skills workshops and lab demonstrations to help you build technical skills for research activities. You will also receive guidance on preparing for college and exploring STEM career paths.
9. Stevens Institute of Technology Summer Residential Program: Medicinal Chemistry Pre-College Program
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $3,350; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 11
Application deadline: Priority: March 16; Final: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This one-week pre-college program is designed to help you learn about the discovery and design of medicinal drugs while living on campus at Stevens Institute of Technology. You will learn about green chemistry methods, conduct literature searches, and use molecular modeling tools to develop an understanding of medicinal chemistry research. You will apply what you learn to synthesize drugs like Aspirin and complete a research project focusing on the development of a small molecule drug. The schedule includes hands-on lab work in a college environment and opportunities to engage in campus activities.
10. Waksman Institute Summer Experience (WISE)
Location: Online or Rutgers University’s Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,200 (in-person WISE) | $600 (virtual/vWISE)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots; accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
Dates: In-person: June 22 – July 2 or July 27 – August 7 | vWISE (online): August 10 – 21
Application deadline: TBA; applications open on February 1.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one high school-level biology course
This two-week program hosted by the Waksman Institute at Rutgers University allows you to work on a real molecular biology and bioinformatics research project, studying DNA sequences from duckweed, a freshwater aquatic plant of scientific interest. Each day, you will attend seminars led by Rutgers faculty, followed by hands-on lab sessions where you will purify and analyze DNA fragments and use the same bioinformatics tools that practicing scientists use. A key feature of the program is that your vetted DNA sequence analysis can be submitted for publication on GenBank, the international DNA sequence database, with your name attached. The fully online version (vWISE) is available for students who cannot attend in person; however, it does not include laboratory work.
11. Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey’s High School Research Program
Location: Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey, Cedar Knolls, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Not specifiedEligibility: High school students
The High School Research Program at the Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey offers students a short-term introduction to biomedical research through hands-on laboratory experience. You will work in a professional research environment alongside Ph.D. and MD scientists, gaining exposure to current scientific investigations and medical research practices. The program is designed to help you build foundational laboratory skills while exploring pathways to careers in science and medicine. Through guided research activities, you will also develop soft skills like collaboration and problem-solving that can support future coursework and research opportunities.
12. Rutgers Health’s Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program
Location: Rutgers Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $975Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 24 (Session 1) | July 27 – 31 (Session 2)
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders who have completed at least one biology course
The THED High School Summer Program, offered by Rutgers Health, introduces high school students to biomedical and environmental health sciences through intensive, laboratory-based learning. You will explore topics such as genetics, pharmacogenetics, experimental design, drug disposition, and clinical toxicology while also learning about laboratory ethics and scientific methods. The program focuses on building foundational lab skills rather than on independent research, catering to those new to biomedical lab work. You will also gain exposure to careers in medicine, pharmacy, environmental science, and biomedical research.
13. Stevens Institute of Technology’s Summer Residential Program—Biology: Genetics & Medicine
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $3,350; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: July 5 – 11 | Session II: July 12 – 18
Application deadline: Priority: March 16; Final: June 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school
This one-week biomedical program at Stevens Institute of Technology focuses on CRISPR/Cas9, a gene-editing technology that scientists use to study and potentially treat inherited diseases such as sickle cell, hemophilia, and muscular dystrophy. During the program, you will learn how CRISPR works and get hands-on experience using it to edit a gene in E. coli bacteria. You will also take part in discussions about the real-world applications of CRISPR and the ethical questions that come with its use. The program may include modules on virtual reality for gene editing, bioinformatics for designing target sequences, and computer modeling of the CRISPR system. You will live on campus for a week, exploring Stevens' resources and facilities.
14. Rutgers Science, Medicine, and Related Topics (SMART) Program
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ + other sites in NJ
Cost: $350 for the summer + $25 non-refundable application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 – 12 who are New Jersey residents
The SMART program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is a pre-college enrichment program designed to boost students’ interest in health sciences and biomedical careers. During the summer, you will explore applied science, math, technology, and medicine through activities, problem-solving exercises, and oral and written presentations. The program also offers opportunities to work with peers, build teamwork and leadership skills, and use tech for research activities. You will also participate in field trips and college and career fairs during the program.
15. Pre-Medical Professions Pre-College Program @ Montclair State University
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $1,900 (includes tuition, housing, meals, activities, and field trips)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: July 12 – 18 | Session II: July 26 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified; application opens November 25, and full payment is due on June 15 (after acceptance)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12
The Pre-Medical Professions Pre-College Program at Montclair State University introduces high school students to foundational medical concepts through a week-long campus experience. You will learn the basics of human anatomy and physiology using the Anatomage Table, an advanced 3D visualization system that allows for virtual cadaver dissection and interactive exploration of the human body. Working with Montclair faculty, you will study the 11 organ systems and apply anatomical concepts through group-based activities and hands-on learning. The program also offers CPR and emergency response training, optional organ dissections, opportunities to interact with medical professionals, and a visit to a local healthcare facility. The week concludes with a team-based academic competition using the Anatomage Table, making this a practical introduction for students interested in pre-med pathways.
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