15 Medical Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student interested in pursuing careers in the healthcare field, medical programs are a great learning opportunity. These programs help you gain practical experience of healthcare environments and work closely to develop the skills necessary for a career in medicine. You’ll develop essential skills like communication, observation, and critical thinking, all while learning directly from medical professionals and researchers.
California is home to many prestigious universities and hospitals that offer advanced, practical, and valuable medical programs. Through these programs, you will develop technical as well as academic skills in healthcare research and networking. Local students can attend these programs without having to travel out of state, while out-of-state students interested in studying in California can also enroll in these programs to explore the opportunities available.
To make your search easier, we have a list of 15 medical programs for high school students in California that provide practical experience in healthcare.
1. Summer Student Research Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Oakland, CA.
Cost/Stipend: No-cost, $3,000 stipend for high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Junior or senior year high school students who have completed at least one year in biology and math
The Summer Student Research Program will allow you to participate in active biomedical research projects. During the program, you will get 1:1 mentorship from a healthcare provider or researcher to work on a clinical research project, attend weekly seminars, engage in networking opportunities, and present your research findings at a formal research symposium. The program aims to provide you with the skills and confidence to succeed in STEM careers.
2. Veritas AI's AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: December 14 – February 15 (Sundays, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. EST)
Application Deadline: Winter 1 - October 19, Winter 2 - November 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12 who have either completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience
Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive is a ten-week online program that will introduce you to the applications of AI in healthcare. You will gain practical experience through working on projects based on AI and ML models, and apply these models to diagnose diseases, improve the accuracy of medical scans, and learn the fundamentals of clinical evolution. You will also gain in-depth knowledge about complex topics like medical data preparation, image segmentation, and EDA. The program is an opportunity for you to get hands-on experience in AI and medicine. You can apply here.
3. CURE Research Internship Program (UCSF)
Location: Multiple locations at the University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Students are paid (stipend amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available publicly
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: 11th-grade high school students with a minimum age of 16 years and a minimum 2.5 GPA
CURE Research Internship is a two-month program for educationally disadvantaged high school and community college students. The program will help you develop advanced research skills to pursue careers in scientific, health, and medical environments. You will be guided and mentored by UCSF faculty and will get to work on and present a research project at the CURE Research Symposium. The positive training and support will help you find career opportunities in clinical, population, and behavioral sciences.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Depends on cohorts
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar is a 12-week individual program that will give you hands-on research experience in a field of your choice. The biology theme will focus on biotechnology, the human body, and diseases. Apart from the individual program, you can also choose from two other research programs, the Premium Research and Publication Program and the Research Fellowship; both offer valuable research benefits. You will write your research paper with 1:1 support from a mentor and will get the opportunity to present it at the Lumiere Research Symposium. You can apply here.
5. KP LAUNCH High School Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
Cost/Stipend: No-cost, students are paid $24/hour (Bi-weekly)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available publicly
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 6 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum age of 16 years
The KP Launch High School Program is a seven-week program that will give you a paid opportunity to develop personal and professional skills in the healthcare field. You will gain work experience that will help you closely understand the healthcare environment. You will also get to network with senior leaders and supervisors who can guide you towards a future in administrative and supporting careers in healthcare.
6. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $2,500 will be paid in two installments
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 2 – August 29 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Students who are U.S. residents with a minimum age of 17 years
The Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship allows talented students to engage in advanced research opportunities under the supervision of renowned physicians at the University of California, San Francisco. You will get to engage in basic laboratory research, gain in-depth knowledge about arthritis and other related autoimmune diseases, and conduct patient-oriented research. If you are looking for a paid opportunity that improves your research knowledge and also provides practical experience, then this internship can be a good fit for you.
7. High School & College Summer Healthcare Program
Location: Touro University, Vallejo, CA & Stockton, CA
Stipend: $600 upon the completion of the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 9 – July 18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school juniors from educational and economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residing in a County North of the San Francisco Bay
The High School & College Summer Healthcare by Touro University California is a six-week intensive program in which you will engage in hands-on experience and clinical simulations. You will also learn about public health and work with your peers on a community research project. You will develop skills like mindfulness, time management, conflict resolution, get CPR certification, empathy training, and many more. The program is a good opportunity to gain clinical experience, develop academic skills, and explore a healthcare career.
8. High School Intern Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $3,200 on completion of 25 hours/week and $4,500 on completion of 35 hours/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from SFUSD high schools or SF charter schools
The High School Intern Program by the Science and Health Educational Partnership (SEP) is an eight-week summer internship where you will work with a research mentor on a unique research project. The program prioritizes students from low-income backgrounds interested in biomedical research. The program will help you develop scientific skills with the guidance of your mentor, engage with peer networks, and prepare for college with confidence.
9. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students
Dates: June 22 – July 26 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: March 17 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors
The Stanford Medical Youth Science is a five-week, full-time residential program for high school students, where you will engage in professional development workshops, faculty lectures, and participate in different networking events hosted by Stanford Medicine. Health professionals will mentor and provide you with hands-on experience through interaction with patients, practical discussions, and a public health research project. The program will provide you with a great opportunity to build your own healthcare community and prepare you for college.
10. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free program with a $50 application fee, $3,000 stipend for students with financial needs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: February 24 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who live in the Bay Area
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford, spanning 6 weeks, will build your interest in biological sciences and medicine and provide you with the knowledge to conduct scientific research through specific research projects. The program is conducted in person, and you will have to live with a parent or legal guardian during the course of the program. You will be engaging in different program activities for 6 hours every day, including an orientation and other safety sessions.
11. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Depends on the course
Dates: Varies for different programs
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Research Scholars at UC San Diego is a program for high school students to gain advanced educational experiences. The program will equip you with valuable technical and academic skills to prepare you for college. You can choose from a range of subject areas, including sports medicine, bioengineering, life sciences, and marine science. In the program focused on sports medicine, you will gain in-depth knowledge about clinical care, injury prevention, and musculoskeletal anatomy.
12. FACES Summer Medical Academy (FSMA)
Location: Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA
Cost: $2,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students, minimum 15 years old
FACES Summer Medical Academy is an in-depth program for motivated high school students. The program will provide you with hands-on experience in clinical skills by working with mentors and peers with similar interests. The program will equip you with the skills to effectively respond to crises, explore patient diagnoses and treatment plans, and engage in problem-based learning opportunities. The program is open to students from all backgrounds and will provide you with a holistic learning experience in healthcare.
13. Summer Medical Academy (SMA) by Rady Children’s Hospital
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Cost: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available publicly
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: 15 – 19-year-old high school students
The Summer Medical Academy is an educational two-week program that will provide you with hands-on experience to explore medical training. You will engage in interactive discussions, group projects, and develop clinical skills that can help you become an insightful healthcare professional. You will get to learn from and network with healthcare professionals and be a part of self-care activities.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 Application fee, financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12) must be U.S. residents
Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program for high school students that will provide you with in-depth knowledge of AI in medicine and healthcare. You will attend technical lectures, work on group research projects, and engage in mentorship activities with researchers and student leads from Stanford. The program is hosted by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) and also offers you an extended independent research opportunity. The program will equip you with the skills to develop innovative AI solutions and solve real healthcare problems.
15. Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,500 + $95 Application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Program 1: June 23 – July 4; Program 2: July 14 – 25 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: June 9
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum age of 16 years
The Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center's Summer Internship is an intensive course that will give you exposure to cardiothoracic surgery. It will help you develop technical skills like dissection, knot tying, coronary artery bypass graft, cardiac valve replacement, and suturing. The program will also provide you with an interactive learning opportunity, understand cardiac principles, and develop hands-on surgical skills. You will attend both morning lectures and technical skill sessions during the course of the program. If you’re looking for a practical, skill-based learning opportunity in the field of healthcare, then this program might be a good choice for you.
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