13 Medical Programs for High School Students in Atlanta, Georgia
If you’re a high school student interested in medicine, healthcare, biomedical research, or public health, medical programs can be a practical way to explore these fields before college. Through activities such as laboratory research, clinical simulations, engineering design projects, case studies, and public health investigations, you can build skills in scientific reasoning, teamwork, data analysis, communication, and problem-solving. Many programs will also give you the chance to learn from physicians, researchers, faculty members, and healthcare professionals while gaining exposure to different medical specialties and healthcare careers.
Why should you attend a Medical program in Atlanta?
Atlanta is home to major universities, hospitals, medical schools, and public health organizations that offer a wide range of healthcare-focused opportunities for high school students. Institutions such as Emory University, Georgia Tech, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia State University, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer programs that range from faculty-mentored biomedical research and disease outbreak investigations to emergency medicine simulations and college-level health science coursework. These programs can be especially useful if you live in or near Atlanta and want access to local healthcare and research institutions. Still, many also welcome students from outside the region through virtual or residential formats.
To help you compare your options, we’ve narrowed down a list of 13 medical programs for high school students in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Atlanta's medical programs span cancer research (Winship Cancer Institute, GA-YES), public health and epidemiology (CDC Disease Detective Camp, CDC Public Health Academy Online), neuroscience (GSU Neuroscience School), AI in medicine (Veritas AI, Stanford AIMI), and broad clinical exploration (Grady's TELP, Emory Pre-Med Institute).
Several programs are free or include stipends, including Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars ($2,400 stipend), CDC Disease Detective Camp (free), GA-YES (free with a small stipend), and Grady's Teen Experience and Leadership Program (free).
The CDC Disease Detective Camp is among the most selective programs on this list, accepting approximately 7.7% of applicants, making it comparable in selectivity to competitive college programs.
Several programs are geographically restricted to local students, including GA-YES (Cherokee County, GA residents) and Grady's TELP (Atlanta-area students), while virtual options like Veritas AI, CDC Public Health Academy Online, Stanford AIMI, and Northwestern Pre-College programs are open to students nationwide.
Application deadlines are concentrated between January and March, with the earliest being GA-YES (January 20) and Grady's TELP (January 16), so students should prepare materials during the fall semester.
1. Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA (virtual options are also available)
Cost/Stipend: Free | $2,400
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 10–12 students
Program dates: June 8 – July 17
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old | Applicants to the in-person program must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program offers high school seniors a six-week introduction to cancer research through full-time, in-person work alongside physicians and laboratory researchers at Emory University. You’ll be paired one-on-one with a Winship faculty mentor and contribute to an active research project, gaining experience with laboratory techniques, research workflows, and scientific communication. In addition to lab work, students will attend lectures by oncologists, scientists, and biostatisticians that explore different areas of cancer research and careers in oncology. The program will also include field trips to sites such as the Michael C. Carlos Museum and the Emory Proton Therapy Center, as well as discussions with cancer survivors and healthcare professionals. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work through a research poster and a 10-minute symposium presentation to Winship faculty, researchers, and fellow students.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Multiple 10-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12; must have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
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. You 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.
3. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC headquarters in Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Around 7.7% | 54 students per year (27 per session)
Program dates: June 22 – 26 | July 20 – 24
Application deadline: March 7 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old
At the CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp, you’ll explore how public health professionals investigate outbreaks, analyze health data, and respond to real-world public health challenges through a five-day, in-person camp for high school students. The curriculum will introduce topics such as epidemiology, environmental health, chronic disease surveillance, laboratory technology, and the role of public health policy in shaping health outcomes. You’ll participate in hands-on activities that mirror real CDC workflows, including simulated outbreak investigations, mock press briefings, and data analysis exercises designed to strengthen your scientific reasoning and communication skills. Throughout the week, you’ll learn directly from CDC professionals through lectures and interactive sessions that highlight research-driven and analytical careers in public health. By the end of the program, you’ll have gained experience working collaboratively on public health case studies while building practical skills in data interpretation, teamwork, and problem-solving.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medicine Tracks
Location: Remote—you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Approximately 12.5%
Program dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort.
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. 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 psychology, neuroscience, data science, medicine, chemistry, engineering, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. The Georgia Youth Enjoy Science (GA-YES) Summer Research Program
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students will receive a small stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 1 – July 21
Application deadline: January 20 – February 8
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from Cherokee County, GA | Must be at least 16 years old
In the GA-YES Summer Research Program at Emory University, you’ll participate in a six-week, faculty-mentored cancer research experience designed for rising high school juniors and seniors from Cherokee County, Georgia. You’ll work on a research project alongside Emory faculty while exploring topics such as cancer biology, epidemiology, health services, data science, and cancer disparities through interactive lectures led by cancer researchers. The program will combine hands-on research with peer mentorship and structured academic support, giving you exposure to both laboratory-based investigation and broader public health concepts. You’ll also engage with undergraduate STEM mentors and continue participating in quarterly workshops after the summer program to support your academic and career development throughout high school. By the end of the experience, you’ll have gained practical exposure to cancer research methods, collaborative research environments, and the challenges surrounding healthcare access in medically underserved communities.
6. Grady’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program
Location: Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:
Program dates: May 26 – July 14
Application deadline: January 16 – February 20
Eligibility: High school students who have at least completed 9th grade | Aged 14–19
Grady’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program allows high school students to explore healthcare careers through a seven-week program that combines hands-on learning, leadership development, and community engagement. You’ll participate in clinical and non-clinical rotations, interactive labs, workshops, and virtual learning experiences that will introduce you to different areas of healthcare, including medicine, nursing, research, administration, and public health advocacy. The program will also emphasize mentorship and collaboration, allowing you to connect with healthcare professionals and peers while building skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership. Students who choose to participate in the optional health outcomes research project will get to investigate community health challenges, design possible solutions, and present their work at the Health Outcomes Research Showcase. Throughout the experience, you’ll gain practical exposure to healthcare environments while completing service and learning hours that can support future college, scholarship, or career applications.
7. Emory Pre-Med Institute: From Science to Medicine
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $8,264 (Residential) | $5,874 (Commuter) | Additional $70 application fee (there might be additional lab and course book fees of $75 – $125) | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 100–150 students per session
Program dates: June 28 – July 18
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are at least 15 years old | Required minimum GPA is 3.0 | Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry
Emory Pre-Med Institute is a pre-college program designed to introduce high school students to the academic and clinical foundations of healthcare. Through the program’s “From Science to Medicine” curriculum, you’ll study college-level topics in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and related sciences while learning how these subjects connect to patient care and medical practice. Courses are taught by Emory faculty and emphasize critical thinking, scientific reasoning, collaboration, and problem-solving through case studies, labs, and classroom discussions. The program will also expose you to different medical specialties and healthcare career paths through lectures, workshops, and shadowing opportunities that provide insight into the day-to-day realities of medicine. In addition to academics, the institute is designed to familiarize you with university life by incorporating residential and community-based experiences that reflect the structure of a college environment.
8. Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) S.T.E.A.M. Academy
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $1000 for the 3-Week STEAM Exploration | $1500 for the 6-week, in-person Authentic Research Experience
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited number of spots available
Program dates: June 1 – 19 (3-Week STEAM Exploration) | June 2 – July 10 (6-week, in-person Authentic Research Experience)
Application deadline: January 26 – March 25
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 can apply to the 3-Week STEAM Exploration | Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors can apply to the Authentic Research Experience | Required minimum GPA for both tracks is 3.0
In the MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy, you’ll explore biomedical science, healthcare, and technology through hands-on coursework, laboratory activities, and research-based learning experiences. The program will offer two pathways: a three-week STEAM Exploration program focused on anatomy, healthcare app design, laboratory skills, and career exploration, and a six-week Authentic Research Experience where you’ll work alongside faculty mentors and graduate students on a structured biomedical research project. Throughout the academy, you’ll gain exposure to emergency preparedness activities, disaster triage simulations, phlebotomy, microscopy, and collaborative problem-solving exercises that strengthen scientific reasoning and technical skills. The program will also emphasize mentorship and professional development, with workshops designed to help you prepare for college, explore healthcare careers, understand scholarship opportunities, and build workforce readiness skills. Students in the research pathway will develop experience in scientific investigation and research collaboration while learning how biomedical research contributes to health equity and medical innovation.
9. Emory Pre-College Program – Medical Tracks
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $5,510 (Residential) | $3,925 (Commuter) | + $70 application fee | Select courses might come with additional lab and course books fees of $75 – $125 | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Around 100–150 students enrolled in the Pre-College Program each session
Program dates: Session A: June 14 – 27 | Session B: June 28 – July 11 | Session C: July 12 – 25
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are at least 15 years old | Required minimum GPA is 3.0 | Check individual course pages here for additional prerequisites, if any
The Emory Pre-College Program allows high school students to take noncredit, college-level courses while experiencing academic and residential life at a university campus. Students interested in healthcare can select from courses covering topics such as human physiology, disease science, cancer biology, public health, psychology, biotechnology, and other medicine-related areas. Coursework will emphasize scientific reasoning, academic reading, discussion-based learning, and the analysis of complex health and medical topics from an interdisciplinary perspective. In addition to classroom instruction, you’ll participate in enrichment sessions such as College 101 workshops and degree exploration activities that provide insight into college academic and healthcare-related career pathways. Through the combination of coursework and campus-based experiences, the program will offer a structured introduction to college-level learning in medicine, public health, and related scientific fields.
10. CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 75 participants
Program dates: June 8 – 12
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
In the CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course, you’ll complete a five-day virtual program focused on public health, epidemiology, and the research methods used by the CDC. You’ll study topics such as infectious disease, chronic disease, laboratory science, environmental health, global health, public health law, and health disparities through a combination of asynchronous lessons and live online discussions. Coursework will include readings, videos, quizzes, and public health case studies that explore areas like outbreak investigations, disease surveillance, scientific communication, and data analysis. During the synchronous sessions, you’ll interact with CDC Museum educators, CDC experts, and fellow students through lectures, discussions, and collaborative activities designed to mirror real public health workflows. You’ll work independently to complete daily assignments while also participating in live class sessions that include team-building activities and conversations about public health careers. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained a stronger understanding of population health research, epidemiological thinking, and the analytical side of public health practice.
11. The Neuroscience School at Georgia State University (GSU)
Location: Virtual or in-person at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA (depending on the course)
Cost: $275 – $350, depending on the course
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Multiple sessions throughout June 1 – July 23 (check here for specific course dates)
Application deadline: Registration open until filled; courses may be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met
Eligibility: Current high school students (only students aged 16 and above can apply to the in-person courses)
At GSU’s Neuroscience School, you’ll take part in short, college-level courses that explore how the brain functions and how neurological disorders are researched and analyzed. Depending on the course you choose, you may study topics such as brain anatomy, neurotransmission, learning and memory, neurodegenerative diseases, brain imaging techniques, or experimental models used in neuroscience research. Coursework will combine lectures and case studies with hands-on activities, including laboratory exercises, data analysis, and exposure to research methods commonly used in neuroscience labs. Some course options, like Modeling Alzheimer’s in Drosophila or Human Brain Imaging, will focus on specialized techniques and applications within the field, giving you insight into how neuroscientists investigate brain disorders and behavior. Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen skills in scientific reasoning, experimental design, and interpreting neurobiological data while gaining experience with the analytical and research-focused side of neuroscience.
12. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Around 50 students per session (exact number of students may vary year to year)
Program dates: June 15 – 26 (Session A) | July 6 – 17 (Session B)
Application deadline: December 15 – February 21 (apply by February 13 if you require financial aid)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students entering grades 9–12 | Must be at least 14 years old | Preference given to students with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that will introduce high school students to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medical research. The program will combine technical lectures, mentored research, and collaborative project work to help you explore topics such as machine learning, medical imaging AI, clinical datasets, model evaluation, and responsible AI practices. Working in small teams, you’ll build and analyze a health AI research project using clinical data while receiving mentorship from Stanford researchers, clinicians, and student leads. The internship will also include speaker sessions featuring professionals from academic, healthcare, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations who’ll discuss how AI is applied in real-world medical settings. Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen skills in research thinking, teamwork, data analysis, and scientific communication while gaining exposure to the interdisciplinary challenges involved in developing AI tools for healthcare.
13. Northwestern Pre-College Online Medicine Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Fairly welcoming
Program dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–19
In the Northwestern Pre-College Online Medicine Programs, you can explore a variety of healthcare and medical science topics through flexible online courses designed for high school students. You may choose courses in areas such as medical research, physiology, psychology, emergency medicine, and healthcare systems, with lessons delivered through prerecorded videos, simulations, and independent assignments. Throughout the program, you’ll work with mentors who’ll provide guidance, answer questions, and give feedback on coursework and projects as you deepen your understanding of medicine and public health concepts. You’ll gain experience analyzing scientific information, evaluating medical claims, and discussing healthcare topics while working through approximately 20–30 hours of course material and activities. Each course will conclude with a capstone project where you’ll present what you’ve learned through presentations, videos, slideshows, or other multimedia approaches. Students who complete the coursework will receive a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern, and the flexible one-, two-, or four-week formats will allow you to balance the program alongside other academic commitments.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best medical programs for high school students in Atlanta?
Strong options depend on a student's interests. Students drawn to cancer research might consider Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars or GA-YES, those interested in public health might look at the CDC Disease Detective Camp, and those exploring broader clinical exposure might consider Grady's Teen Experience and Leadership Program or Emory Pre-Med Institute.
Are there free medical programs for high school students in Atlanta?
Yes, several programs are free, including the CDC Disease Detective Camp, CDC Public Health Academy Online, Grady's Teen Experience and Leadership Program, and GA-YES (which also provides a small stipend). Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars is free and provides a $2,400 stipend.
Which Atlanta medical programs are open to students from outside Georgia?
Virtual programs including Veritas AI's AI and Medicine Deep Dive, Lumiere Research Scholar Program, Stanford AIMI, CDC Public Health Academy Online, Northwestern Pre-College Online Medicine Programs, and GSU's virtual neuroscience courses are all open to students regardless of location.
Which programs focus specifically on public health and epidemiology rather than clinical medicine?
The CDC Disease Detective Camp and CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online both focus on epidemiology, outbreak investigation, and public health research, while GA-YES and Grady's TELP include public health components alongside broader biomedical and clinical exposure.
Do any Atlanta medical programs involve AI or technology in healthcare?
Yes, Veritas AI's AI and Medicine Deep Dive uses machine learning models for disease diagnosis and medical imaging, Stanford AIMI focuses on AI applications in medical imaging and clinical data, and Morehouse School of Medicine's STEAM Academy includes healthcare app design as part of its curriculum.
When should I apply to medical programs for high school students in Atlanta?
Deadlines are concentrated in January through March. The earliest include Grady's TELP (January 16) and GA-YES (January 20), while Emory Pre-Med Institute and Emory Pre-College Program both close May 1, giving students more time to prepare.