15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Illinois
If you’re trying to figure out whether a medical career is right for you, internships can give you the clarity you’re looking for.
You get a mix of practical skills such as lab work, patient communication, and research techniques, exposure to real healthcare settings, and opportunities to shadow doctors, nurses, and researchers. Many programs are backed by institutions that allow you to form valuable connections with mentors, doctors, and researchers, which can guide your future academic and career paths.
Why should you attend an internship in Illinois?
Illinois is home to several university hospitals, research labs, and community health programs, such as the University of Chicago and Rush University Medical Center. From urban medical centers to specialized research units, the state offers settings where you can observe patient care, explore public health work, or engage in basic science research. Such internships are ideal for local and out-of-state students who wish to explore Illinois’ medical programs.
To help with your search, we’ve put together a list of 15 medical internships for high school students in Illinois.
If you are looking for internships in Illinois, check out our blog here.
Note: Not all the programs listed here are traditional internships, but they do offer work-learn opportunities for you to develop skills and experience.
1. ResearcHStart – University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Multiple sites in Illinois
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 taxable stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 30 participants
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are 16+ at the program’s start and reside in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
ResearchStart is a competitive summer research experience for students from Illinois and nearby areas who are eager to explore careers in cancer research. You’ll spend eight weeks working full-time in a laboratory at one of five leading Illinois universities, conducting hands-on projects in areas such as cancer immunology, bioengineering, and experimental therapeutics. Alongside research, you’ll take part in career development workshops, a faculty lecture series, and ongoing mentorship from scientists and peers. The program concludes with a research symposium where you’ll present your findings to faculty, family, and community members.
2. Veritas AI – AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; you can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience
Although not a traditional internship, this program explores the intersection of medicine and artificial intelligence through lectures and project work, acting as a work-learn program. The course includes lectures by experts, programming notebooks, group projects, and mentorship. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to sharpen medical scans, diagnose diseases, and explain their outcomes to help doctors and patients. If you’re interested in both medicine and tech, this option lets you engage from anywhere in the world while gaining exposure to medical-AI intersections.
3. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,400 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically end of March
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs at UIUC offer you a six-week opportunity to conduct authentic, hands-on research at one of the nation’s top public research universities. You’ll work alongside faculty, graduate students, and peers on cutting-edge projects in fields such as cancer immunology, neuroscience, quantum physics, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence. Weekly seminars cover topics like scientific communication, college admissions, and poster preparation, helping you build both technical and professional skills. The program culminates in a formal research symposium where you will showcase your work by creating and presenting a research poster to faculty, peers, and graduate students.
4. Ladder Internships – Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; need-based financial aid available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can contribute 10 – 20 hours per week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual internship program that places ambitious students in high-growth startups across a wide range of industries, including tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You work closely with startup managers on real-world, high-impact projects addressing genuine organizational needs. Each student completes a final presentation summarizing their work and contributions. The program emphasizes professional skill-building, exposure to startup environments, and meaningful mentorship. Internships typically last 8 weeks, with cohorts offered year-round to accommodate students’ schedules. The program is fully remote, enabling participation from anywhere in the world.
5. Cancer Health Engagement Summer Scholars (CHESS)
Location: University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 17 – 20 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors residing in Cook County
The Cancer Health Engagement Summer Scholars (CHESS) program is an eight-week summer research experience designed to mentor you in cancer research and health careers. A collaboration between the University of Illinois Cancer Center and the UIC Urban Health Program, CHESS allows you to work on an independent research project in a UIC laboratory under the guidance of faculty mentors. You will attend specialized workshops and lectures focused on building research, professional, and academic skills, including topics like ethics in research and career development. The program culminates with you developing and delivering both oral and poster presentations of your research findings during the Cancer Center's student research symposium.
6. Chicago EYES on Cancer
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $5,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 – 30 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old and reside in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties
The Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer is a highly competitive, paid, two-year cancer research training program offered by the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. In this program, you’ll conduct full-time research in the lab of a University of Chicago cancer scientist, exploring areas like molecular biology, immunology, and population-based cancer studies. Alongside lab experience, you’ll take part in a lecture series, year-round career development workshops, and monthly virtual enrichment sessions. The program concludes with a research symposium where you’ll present your work to faculty and peers.
7. Endeavor Health Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple hospital locations in the Chicago suburbs, such as Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park, Skokie, as well as Edward and Elmhurst
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by hospital site and year
Dates: 8 to 10-week commitment over the summer (typically June through August)
Application Deadline: Not specified; typically very narrow and begins in February or March
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old; some locations accept students who are 14 as well
The Endeavor Health Junior Volunteer Program offers you a structured opportunity to gain direct exposure to a real hospital environment in the Chicago area. Through this program, you will learn about various healthcare operations, patient support, and clinical departmental functions, gaining insight into the daily life of a medical facility. Your activities will include assisting staff with non-clinical tasks, providing comfort and customer service to patients and visitors, and helping with unit logistics. A unique feature is the chance to interact with different professionals across the hospital system. You will develop essential communication, teamwork, and service-oriented skills while confirming your interest in a medical career.
8. MedSTEM Explorers
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 30 students
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors who are Chicago residents, have 80% attendance, and a 2.5 GPA
The MedSTEM Explorers program is a six-week paid summer pre-internship designed to help you build a foundation for future college and career success in healthcare and STEM fields. You’ll spend two days each week at Rush University Medical Center, where you’ll explore health careers, participate in research on real-world issues affecting Chicago communities, and take part in academic enrichment workshops. The program also provides workplace readiness training, opportunities to earn certifications such as first aid/CPR, and guidance on college and career planning.
9. SIH High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Southern Illinois Healthcare hospitals and facilities, IL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 29 students
Dates: June 18 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: High school students entering their sophomore, junior, and senior years, including graduating seniors
The SIH High School Summer Internship Program allows high school students to explore a variety of healthcare careers through direct observation and shadowing experiences. Over six weeks, you’ll spend several days each week learning alongside professionals in fields such as nursing, laboratory science, radiology, respiratory therapy, physical and occupational therapy, and pharmacy. You’ll see how healthcare teams collaborate, observe patient care, and learn about the tools and techniques used in different specialties. The internship also includes mandatory hospital and departmental orientation and culminates in an awards dinner recognizing your completion of the program.
10. University of Illinois College of Medicine – Summer Programs in Biomedical Sciences – STEM Camp
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically, limited spaces
Dates: One-week camp in the summer (June or July)
Application Deadline: Typically, in the spring
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old by May 1, who will not miss any days for vacations
The STEM Camp at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford is a weeklong, full-day experience designed to introduce you to the world of biomedical sciences. You’ll explore how research leads to discoveries in medicine and biotechnology, learning directly from university faculty and engaging in hands-on lab activities and demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies. The program consists of interactive instruction to motivate you and enhance your understanding of complex disease processes and the molecular mechanisms behind them. The camp emphasizes how bioengineering and medical research drive new treatments and innovations that improve health.
11. MedSTEM Pathways
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Summer Session: June 15 – July 31 | Spring Session: January – March
Application Deadline: Summer Session: February 27; Spring Session: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are Chicago residents, have 80% attendance, and a 2.5 GPA
The MedSTEM Pathways program is a paid internship that provides Chicago-area high school students and recent graduates with hands-on work experience in healthcare and related STEM fields. You’ll intern in a department at Rush University Medical Center or a partner organization aligned with your career interests, from clinical research and diagnostics to IT, finance, or public health. The program combines workplace learning with classes focused on college readiness, communication, and employability skills, helping you prepare for both college and future careers in healthcare. You will also network and connect with health care providers, STEM professionals, and alumni through career panels and mentorship opportunities to understand diverse job roles.
12. University of Illinois College of Medicine – Summer Programs in Biomedical Sciences – Summer Science Internship
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; only 5 interns selected
Dates: June 9 – August 1 (tentative)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old by June 1
The Summer Science Internship is a prestigious, two-month paid research program that gives you hands-on experience working alongside scientists at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford. You’ll join an active research lab studying areas like cancer biology, vaccine development, or drug discovery. You receive individualized mentorship, professional training in lab techniques, and guidance on college and career planning. The entire experience culminates in the Summer Science Forum, where you will practice and deliver formal oral and poster presentations of your research findings to the scientific community and program judges.
13. Loyola University – Health Professionals Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP)
Location: Stritch School of Medicine Campus, Loyola University Chicago, in Maywood, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: 5 – 7 Saturday morning sessions usually held annually during the winter/spring academic semester (e.g., January to March)
Application Deadline: Not specified; typically opens in the late fall/early winter
Eligibility: High school students (typically 9th-12th grade) in the Chicagoland area, particularly those from underrepresented groups
The Loyola HPREP is a dynamic, weekend mentorship program designed to inspire and prepare you for a career in the health professions, especially if you come from an underrepresented background in medicine. You will attend Saturday sessions that cover topics ranging from medical school admissions and financial aid to anatomy, clinical skills, and careers in various health fields. Activities you will participate in include hands-on labs and simulations, listening to lectures delivered by faculty and residents, and engaging in small-group mentorship led by current Loyola medical and graduate students. You will receive one-on-one exposure to the medical school environment, allowing you to develop essential professional communication, networking, and critical thinking skills.
14. Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program
Location: Multiple Northwestern Medicine sites across Illinois
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; about 20 participants per chapter
Dates: 15 November – May
Application Deadline: September 29
Eligibility: Rising sophomores or juniors who are at least 15 years old | Have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (students below 3.0 GPA may be considered)
The Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program is a school-year initiative designed to provide you with deep exposure to the wide range of careers available in a premier academic health system. Across monthly Saturday sessions, you will explore topics like leadership in healthcare, career pathways in various medical and non-medical fields, and the business side of healthcare operations. Your activities will include hearing from expert guest speakers and clinicians, participating in hands-on clinical and simulation activities, and touring diverse departments and facilities within Northwestern Medicine. Ultimately, you will develop crucial skills in professional networking, critical thinking, and career planning to guide your future academic and career choices.
15. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology (SHE in Oncology)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 20 students per year
Dates: July 13 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who reside in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties
The Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology (SHE in Oncology) is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce you to careers in cancer research and healthcare. You’ll collaborate with peers nationwide on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study, gaining hands-on exposure to how science and medicine intersect in oncology. Additionally, you will attend presentations and lectures from guest speakers, including researchers and oncologists, covering the entire cancer continuum from prevention to survivorship, and participate in targeted career development workshops to explore various biomedical pathways.
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