16 Medical Pre-College Programs for High School Students
For students eager to understand how classroom learning translates into practical application, medical pre-college programs for high school students offer a head start. These programs offer you an opportunity to engage with challenges, gain exposure to university-level expectations, and connect with professionals and peers who share similar goals. Many of these experiences are hosted by top institutions, providing you with access to research facilities and mentorship opportunities.
What Will You Learn in a Medical Pre-College Program?
When it comes to medicine, pre-college programs introduce you to essential subjects, including anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and biomedical research, while also helping you develop critical thinking, communication, and clinical observation skills. You may find yourself participating in simulations, shadowing healthcare professionals, or conducting lab experiments that mirror medical studies. These experiences not only strengthen your understanding of the healthcare field but also help you determine whether a future in medicine truly fits your interests.
To help you explore such opportunities, we’ve compiled a list of 16 medical pre-college programs for high school students.
If you are looking for online medical programs, check out our blog here.
1. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart Program
Location: Various universities in Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; a taxable stipend of $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Second week of June – the first week of August
Application deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+)
UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart Program allows high school students from Chicago and Urbana-Champaign to spend the summer conducting full-time cancer research under the mentorship of university scientists. Participants contribute to active projects in areas like immunology, bioengineering, and health disparities while gaining hands-on lab experience. The program complements lab work with workshops on career skills, faculty lectures on emerging cancer research, and peer networking events. You’ll learn not only the science behind cancer biology but also how it impacts communities across Illinois. The program concludes with a research symposium where you’ll present your findings to family, peers, and members of the scientific community.
2. MD Anderson Cancer Centre UPWARDS Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Centre
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $6,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 10 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer (July–September)
Application deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Under-represented incoming high school seniors | 18 or older by the start of the program
The UPWARDS Summer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Centre provides high school students from underserved backgrounds with a paid, 10-week research experience in cancer science. As a participant, you’ll work full-time in a faculty member’s lab, assisting with active research projects while receiving mentorship from scientists and attending lectures and professional development workshops. The program covers both laboratory skills and academic growth, offering insights into how research contributes to advancements in cancer prevention and treatment. Throughout the summer, you’ll engage in seminars, career sessions, and networking events. The experience concludes with a poster presentation at MD Anderson’s CATALYST symposium, allowing you to showcase your work to peers and faculty.
3. Veritas AI - AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: 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.
4. Science Enrichment Program (SEP) – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Cost/Stipend: None | $4,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: November 15 – August 26
Application deadline: September 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who have completed a full year of biology courses and are members of groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science
SEP at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre combines classroom learning with mentored research to give students a deep understanding of cancer science and biomedical investigation. From November to June, participants attend after-school sessions covering cancer biology, clinical and translational research, computational sciences, and professional development. This is followed by an eight-week summer internship, where you’ll work one-on-one with a mentor on a project in areas such as immunology, pharmacology, or genomics. Assessments throughout the program help track progress, and the experience concludes with a formal poster presentation.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program–Medicine Track
Location: Remote –you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to conduct a 12-week independent research project under the guidance of a PhD mentor in fields such as medicine, neuroscience, or biotechnology. Conducted fully online, the program teaches you to design a research question, analyse academic literature, and develop methodologies leading to a formal research paper suitable for competitions or publication. Regular mentor meetings help you refine your ideas, interpret data, and communicate findings effectively. You’ll also gain access to structured guidance in writing and data analysis, building a foundation for future academic research. Participants are eligible to receive post-baccalaureate credit from UC San Diego Extended Studies, adding academic value to the experience.
6. University of Illinois College of Medicine – Summer Science Internship
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5 students each year
Application deadline: April 1
Dates: June 10–August 2
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old are eligible to apply; you can review the list of eligible high schools here
The Summer Science Internship at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford offers two months of intensive lab-based experience in biomedical research. Selected students from the Rockford area work alongside faculty and Thermo Fisher Scientific researchers on projects focused on topics such as vaccine development, drug discovery, and cancer biology. The program is highly selective, accepting only a handful of applicants each year, and includes training in teamwork, leadership, and scientific presentation. You’ll also learn to prepare resumes, practice interview skills, and present your research through posters and oral sessions at the program’s closing forum. Participants receive a stipend for their work, adding professional recognition to their scientific experience.
7. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee, which can be waived under certain criteria; Minimum stipend of $500, up to $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors as of the fall, graduating in this or next year | At least 16 years old by June 8 | Reside in and attend high school in the U.S. and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a green card
SIMR is an eight-week biomedical internship designed for high school juniors and seniors who want to experience hands-on research at one of the world’s top medical schools. You’ll be paired with a Stanford faculty mentor and placed in one of several research institutes that focus on fields like stem cell biology, neurobiology, cancer research, bioengineering, or genetics. Over the course of the summer, you’ll take part in real lab work, from conducting experiments to analysing data and interpreting results, while gaining insight into how biomedical research contributes to advances in healthcare. The program also includes seminars and workshops that explore career pathways in medicine and research. It culminates in a poster session, where participants present their findings to peers and faculty.
8. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx. 16 students per year
Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
HSHCP at UMass Chan Medical School is a four-week, tuition-free residential experience designed for Massachusetts high school sophomores and juniors from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. The program blends academic enrichment with exposure to careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, and healthcare. You’ll take courses in biology, math, IT, and communication, along with seminars addressing cultural and contemporary health issues. Field trips, internships, and a Health Disparities Research Project help connect classroom learning to medical challenges faced by local communities. Your progress will be evaluated through assessments and mentor feedback. Upon completion, you’ll receive both a certificate of achievement and a stipend.
9. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $1,250 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~24 students selected per year
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application deadline: Opens mid-December
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week, tuition-free residential program for first-generation, low-income high school juniors from Northern California. Hosted by Stanford University, the program combines clinical shadowing at Stanford Hospital with lectures on anatomy, epidemiology, and health equity. You will also complete a public health research project addressing disparities in healthcare access or outcomes. Alongside academic enrichment, SMYSP focuses on mentorship, connecting students with medical professionals and college counsellors who guide them through career and college planning. By the end of the program, you’ll have gained exposure to medicine through both classroom and hospital settings.
10. WakeMed High School Student Programs
Location: WakeMed Andrews Conference Centre & hospital campus, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohort
Dates: Rehab: October 7 | Career Conference: May 1
Application deadline: Registration opens ahead of each event
Eligibility: All interested high school students
WakeMed’s High School Student Programs are designed to introduce you to healthcare careers through interactive, department-focused sessions. In collaboration with local schools, WakeMed offers students opportunities to observe the daily operations of medical teams and understand the diverse roles that support patient care. You can attend specialised sessions such as “Imaging Services,” which explores radiology and diagnostic imaging techniques, or “Rehabilitation Services,” which highlights the collaborative work of physical, occupational, and speech therapists. These programs are on-site and focus on practical learning, helping students visualise real-world medical environments and consider career paths within the healthcare system.
11. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, 13 students
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors | Over 16 years of age by June 30 | From underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds | GPA of 2.7+ | Completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
Project Success at Harvard Medical School is a seven-week, paid summer internship that places high school students from Boston and Cambridge into biomedical research labs across Harvard’s hospitals and institutes. Under the mentorship of scientists and clinicians, you’ll work on research projects that address topics such as disease biology, treatment development, or public health. The program integrates lab experience with weekly seminars on ethics, communication, and career development, as well as site visits to biotechnology firms. Mentorship plays a central role, helping students strengthen both technical and professional skills. The internship concludes with presentations where participants share their research findings.
12. UNC’s Internship in Science, Health Training, and Research (ISHTaR)
Location: Department of Emergency Medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Flexible start and end dates
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in NC high schools | Ages 16+ by June 1 | U.S. employment eligibility
The ISHTaR program at the University of North Carolina’s Department of Emergency Medicine gives high school students a practical introduction to medicine and public health. This paid summer internship blends research and clinical experience–you might shadow physicians, assist in literature reviews, or help create educational materials for health communication projects. Each year’s program is shaped by current research priorities and student interests, making it adaptable and varied. Participants also get the chance to ride along with EMS paramedics, observe hospital operations, and discuss career paths with medical professionals. Weekly team discussions and book clubs add depth to the experience by addressing ethical and social issues in healthcare. ISHTaR runs in a hybrid format, requiring a 20-hour weekly commitment.
13. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics – Summer Internship
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NY
Cost: No cost | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 or 10-week program from June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
Weill Cornell’s Department of Pediatrics hosts a summer internship that introduces high school and college students to pediatric medicine and clinical research. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and placed in one of several divisions that may include neonatal virology, pediatric epilepsy, adolescent reproductive health, or patient safety. Depending on your placement, you might conduct literature reviews, collect and analyse clinical data, or observe patient care in hospital settings. The program also fosters collaboration across multiple pediatric subspecialties, giving you a broader view of healthcare delivery for children. Mentorship and project-based learning form the foundation of this program.
14. Baylor College of Medicine - DocPrep Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 60 students
Dates: Typically runs one week in the summer
Application deadline: Typically spring (March-May)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors interested in medicine and healthcare careers
The DocPrep Program at Baylor College of Medicine is a week-long academic enrichment initiative for rising high school seniors from South Texas who are interested in healthcare careers. The program combines classroom instruction, interactive medical simulations, and mentoring by medical students and faculty. Over the week, you’ll attend lectures on biomedical science and medicine, practice communication skills in workshops led by Rice University graduate students, and participate in simulation lab sessions where you can perform procedures such as suturing or patient assessment on training mannequins. DocPrep also guides college and medical school admissions, helping participants understand the pathway to a medical career.
15. The Rockefeller University Hospital – Summer Science Research Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are age 16+ at program start
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) immerses high school students in authentic biomedical research within small, mentor-led teams. For seven weeks, you’ll train in laboratory methods, collaborate with peers, and explore research topics ranging from genetics to neuroscience or structural biology. Each team is guided by scientists from Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell, mirroring the collaborative nature of professional research. As you progress, you’ll design and investigate your own research question, analyse data, and present your findings at a closing symposium. Beyond lab work, the program includes electives, workshops, and academic lectures.
16. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: Winter/Spring training + 7–10 weeks summer research
Application deadline: Applications typically open in October
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in New York City and enrolled in a partner school (preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx)
The BRAINYAC program offers high school students an intensive introduction to neuroscience research. Over the summer, you’ll work alongside a Columbia neuroscientist mentor, participating directly in lab experiments and data analysis to explore how the brain functions. The experience includes technical skill-building through training sessions on laboratory safety, experimental design, and research methods. You’ll also attend group meetings and workshops that connect you with fellow students and the broader Columbia research community. The program concludes with presentations where participants showcase their projects, reflecting the full scope of the scientific process. Alumni may even continue research through merit fellowships or return as paid interns.
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