15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Maine
If you are considering a future healthcare career, participating in a structured medical program in high school can give you a distinct advantage. Medical programs offer direct exposure to clinical environments, biomedical research laboratories, and foundational medical concepts, helping you explore advanced concepts and future pathways long before you enroll in a university. By engaging in clinical simulations, analyzing case studies, or contributing to laboratory experiments, you will develop technical skills and a realistic understanding of the healthcare workforce. This early experience not only clarifies your specific professional interests within medicine but also strengthens your academic background for undergraduate and medical school admissions.
Why should you attend a medical program in Maine?
Maine offers a unique landscape for medical exploration, blending world-class biomedical research institutions with collaborative community healthcare networks. When you attend a program in the state, you gain access to premier facilities and to regional health systems dedicated to addressing modern clinical challenges, including rural medicine and public health infrastructure. The state’s medical community allows you to work directly with practicing physicians, researchers, and medical students who provide localized mentorship and targeted training. Additionally, many of Maine’s specialized workforce initiatives are explicitly designed to create clear, direct pathways to future clinical apprenticeships and employment opportunities within the region.
To help you get started, here are 15 medical programs for high school students in Maine.
If you’re looking for programs in Maine, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span genetics and genomics research, AI in medicine, clinical volunteering, biomedical laboratory work, rural health career pathways, and virtual medical education, so students with a wide range of interests in healthcare can find a relevant option in Maine.
Several programs are free or offer stipends, including the Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program ($7,500 stipend), MaineHealth Institute for Research ($18/hour), Western Maine AHEC Summer Scrub Club (free), and UNE Health Careers Exploration Camp (free), while others, such as Lumiere and Harvard Medical School Pre-College, offer financial aid.
Programs range from single-day virtual sessions (MaineHealth Career Compass, MaineHealth Inside Medicine) to ten-week full-time research internships (Jackson Laboratory, MaineHealth Institute for Research), so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Application deadlines for the most competitive programs fall early, including Jackson Laboratory (January 26), MaineHealth Institute for Research (January 30), and UNE Health Careers Exploration Camp (May 15), while several programs, such as Maine Medical Center Junior Volunteers and Harvard Medical School Pre-College, accept rolling applications year-round.
1. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Stipend: $7,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 – 28 positions/year (for both high schoolers and undergrads)
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students, ages 18 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
At the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, you spend ten weeks working inside an active genetics and genomics research lab rather than observing one from the outside. A mentor pairs you with an ongoing research program, and your role grows more independent as the summer progresses, from learning lab techniques to running your own piece of the project. Weekly journal clubs and sessions on data visualization, genetic testing, and science communication round out the technical work, while conversations with JAX scientists and other professionals show how many different careers connect back to a research background. The summer ends with you presenting your findings to JAX researchers and fellow students, and since the lab's focus is genetics and genomics, the experience leans toward bench science rather than clinical medicine.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks; multiple cohorts each year
Application deadline: Rolling basis. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12 who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you will explore how tech like AI and machine learning can be used in healthcare and medical research. You will work on project-based tasks involving the development of AI models for healthcare applications such as disease diagnosis and medical imaging. The program also focuses on how AI-generated insights can support doctors and patients in medical decision-making. You will gain exposure to the link between artificial intelligence and medicine while working on real-world scenarios.
3. Western Maine AHEC Summer Scrub Club
Location: MaineHealth Franklin Hospital, Farmington, ME
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Late June
Application deadline: Not specified; registration opens in March
Eligibility: Rising 8th to 12th graders and recent high school graduates
Hosted by MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in partnership with the Western Maine Area Health Education Center (AHEC), this medical program focuses on health career exploration. You will interact directly with clinical staff to learn about various medical disciplines and career paths in healthcare. The curriculum includes practical skill-building sessions covering casting, suturing techniques, and operating room procedures. You will also engage in simulated emergency scenarios and mock accident responses to understand urgent triage care. Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn formal certifications in American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Medical Track
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. It offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas that high schoolers can explore. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose topics from subjects such as biology, medicine, physics, engineering, data science, chemistry, international relations, economics, computer science, and more. You can find more details about the program application here, and check out students’ reviews here and here.
5. MDI Biological Laboratory Biomedical Bootcamp
Location: MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Cost: $1,000 (partial financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 3
Application deadline: June 5
Eligibility: High school students
This medical bootcamp introduces high schoolers to current biomedical research through hands-on laboratory work and expert instruction. You will work directly alongside MDI Biological Laboratory scientists to practice core molecular biology techniques, including agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction. The curriculum also covers light microscopy, experimental design, scientific ethics, and environmental toxicology, using established animal models such as zebrafish and planaria. You will additionally participate in scientific ethics roundtables and discuss career pathways with local bioentrepreneurs. The program concludes with activities designed to build science communication competencies through presentations and peer discussions.
6. University of New England (UNE) Health Careers Exploration Camp
Location: University of New England, Portland, ME
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 27 – 28
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders residing in Maine
This medical summer camp introduces high school students in Maine to a wide variety of medical and health professions. Hosted on the University of New England campus, the program features hands-on laboratory activities led by university faculty and graduate healthcare students. You will rotate through sessions covering nursing, physical therapy, osteopathic medicine, and dental hygiene. The curriculum emphasizes clinical skills development, healthcare team dynamics, and paths to college admission. You will also participate in mentorship sessions to map out your educational requirements for future health careers.
7. MaineHealth Institute for Research Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Location: MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME + other MaineHealth research locations in the Portland, ME area
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 24 accepted out of 382 applicants in the past cohort
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application deadline: January 30; the application opens in the first week of December
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are at least 18 by the start of the program, college students, graduating college seniors, postbaccalaureate students, and community college students, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
This 10-week internship gives you the opportunity to work full-time on a biomedical research project at one of MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) centers, which cover areas like molecular medicine, clinical and translational science, and population health. You will work 40 hours a week under the guidance of MHIR researchers, contributing to a biomedical project while building lab and research skills. Past projects have covered topics ranging from cancer biology and cardiology to autism research and infectious disease. Alongside your hands-on work, you will attend weekly research lectures led by MaineHealth faculty and clinicians, as well as professional development and networking activities. The schedule also includes social and community events organized by local partners. At the end of the summer, you will present your research findings at a final presentation and poster session.
8. Maine Medical Center Junior Volunteers Program
Location: MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, Portland/Biddeford/Sanford, ME
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round; minimum two-month summer commitment and minimum six-month summer commitment during the school year
Application deadline: April 1 (summer); rolling otherwise
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 17
This medical program introduces high schoolers directly to the operational workflows of Maine’s largest medical center. You will commit to a consistent weekly shift of three to four hours assisting care team members in various clinical and non-clinical capacities. Typical roles include assisting with patient transport, welcoming and navigating visitors, distributing non-medical materials, and providing administrative support across hospital departments. The program prioritizes foundational healthcare knowledge, professional accountability, and strict patient confidentiality. You will gain verified community service hours while developing interpersonal communication skills in a professional healthcare setting.
9. Maine AHEC Network Rural Youth Health Career Pathway Program
Location: Multiple Maine AHEC Centers
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long program
Application deadline: Rolling registration via local AHEC regional centers
Eligibility: Rural Maine high school students from underserved communities
This medical program supports high schoolers from rural Maine communities in systematically exploring and preparing for healthcare occupations. Offered by the Maine Area Health Education Center Network, the curriculum merges clinical simulations, interactive workshops, and structured mentorship. You will engage directly in healthcare simulations that model real-world medical situations and clinical decision-making. Beyond technical exposure, the program will offer mandatory service-learning opportunities that emphasize professional teamwork and healthcare problem-solving. You will also complete specific college readiness modules covering career pathway mapping, financial aid processes, and resume building.
10. Volunteer Program @ MaineHealth
Location: MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, Rockport, ME; MaineHealth Waldo Hospital, Belfast, ME
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Junior Summer Volunteer Program: Eight weeks each summer | Other volunteer roles run year-round
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students who are 15 to 18 years old; if you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application documents.
MaineHealth offers students opportunities to observe and contribute to healthcare operations through its Junior Summer Volunteer Program at the Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals. You will join a hospital department such as radiology, the inpatient medical-surgical unit, patient access reception and escort, or the volunteer department, assisting staff with various tasks. You will need to commit to at least seven of the eight weeks of volunteering. Through the program, you will gain hands-on work experience in a health care setting, build professional skills, and find opportunities for career exploration while contributing to your community. The experience can also help you add meaningful experience to your college resume and connect with professionals in the healthcare field.
11. Central Maine Medical Center Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, ME
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Mid-June – August; commitment of at least 4 hours/week
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 17
This medical exploration program invites teenagers to learn about the day-to-day functions of a community health system. You will commit to a consistent weekly shift throughout the summer months. You will be assigned roles such as emergency department assistant, medical imaging lobby host, patient companion, or administrative support. Through these activities, you will learn about hospital logistics, emergency communication methods, and patient-centered care. The program can help you build a practical foundation in teamwork and professional behavior while exposing you to different medical career paths.
12. University of New England NextWave Pre-College Experience
Location: University of New England, Biddeford, ME
Cost: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; capacity of 40 students
Dates: July 5 – 11
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; notifications sent within 10 business days of submitting a completed application
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 – 12
This week-long residential program lets you experience college life on UNE's coastal Maine campus while learning from faculty across fields like health care, business, science, mathematics, and education. In small teams, you will tackle a real-world challenge and receive support from faculty mentors as you conduct research and develop your ideas. Throughout the week, you will attend academic sessions, take part in hands-on activities such as a boat trip and a visit to a teaching kitchen, and participate in evening events like beach nights and team-building games. You will live in UNE residence halls and access campus facilities, including the gym, library, and beach. The program ends with a final presentation where you will pitch your project to a panel of faculty judges and your family. If you later enroll at UNE as a full-time undergraduate, you will also receive a $2,000 scholarship toward tuition.
13. MaineHealth Inside Medicine Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 24; July 1; July 15; July 22
Application deadline: Not specified; registration opens mid-May
Eligibility: High school students
This statewide program is co-hosted by the MaineHealth Workforce Development Department, the Maine Medical Center Department of Medical Education, and Tufts University Medical School. You will attend one-day sessions and work collaboratively in small groups to analyze and solve complex, real-world mystery medical cases. Guided by current medical students, the sessions focus on topics such as basic human anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnostic testing protocols, and clinical reasoning. You will interact with practicing clinical professionals to explore diverse specialties and discuss hospital operational dynamics. If you attend at least three out of the four scheduled evening sessions, you will earn an official certificate of participation.
14. MaineHealth Career Compass Virtual Sessions
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: March 18; April 15; May 13 (additional dates TBA)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
This virtual career exploration program connects high school students with clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals across the MaineHealth system. Each session focuses on topics like behavioral health and respiratory therapy, featuring live panels, professional trajectories, and skill demonstrations. You will learn how medical teams coordinate day-to-day operations and learn about distinct educational paths, from certificates to doctoral tracks. The schedule includes case study discussions and Q&A sessions where you can engage directly with workforce development experts. The core objective is to build early-career awareness of healthcare and establish a professional network without requiring regional travel.
15. Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 – $2,195/course; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round sessions
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
This fully remote academic program allows high schoolers to study foundational medical sciences directly under Harvard Medical School faculty. The self-paced curriculum features video lectures modeled after material taught to incoming medical and dental students. You can choose from specialized courses covering artificial intelligence, medical research, becoming a doctor, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, pharmacology, and physiology. In each course, you will work with assigned expert mentors who will provide academic guidance, monitor project progress, and answer technical questions. The program utilizes real-world medical case studies and interactive digital tools to assess your clinical understanding, culminating in a capstone project (if applicable) and offering a certificate of completion.
Frequently asked questions
1. What medical programs are available for high school students in Maine?
Options include research internships, such as Jackson Laboratory and MaineHealth Institute for Research, hospital volunteering programs, such as Maine Medical Center Junior Volunteers, Central Maine Medical Center, and MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals, hands-on clinical programs, such as Western Maine AHEC Summer Scrub Club and MDI Biological Laboratory Biomedical Bootcamp, and virtual programs, such as Veritas AI AI + Medicine, MaineHealth Inside Medicine, and Harvard Medical School Pre-College.
2. Are there free medical programs for high school students in Maine?
Yes, Western Maine AHEC Summer Scrub Club, UNE Health Careers Exploration Camp, Maine Medical Center Junior Volunteers, MaineHealth Inside Medicine, and MaineHealth Career Compass are all free. Programs, such as Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Harvard Medical School Pre-College, charge tuition but offer need-based financial aid.
3. Which Maine medical programs are best for students interested in research?
Students interested in research might consider Jackson Laboratory for genetics and genomics bench science, MaineHealth Institute for Research for biomedical and clinical translational research, MDI Biological Laboratory Biomedical Bootcamp for molecular biology techniques, and Lumiere Research Scholar Program for independent research with a PhD mentor across medical and scientific fields.
4. When should I apply to medical programs for high school students in Maine?
The earliest deadlines are Jackson Laboratory (January 26) and MaineHealth Institute for Research (January 30). UNE Health Careers Exploration Camp closes May 15, and MDI Biological Laboratory Biomedical Bootcamp closes June 5. Several programs, such as Maine Medical Center Junior Volunteers, Maine AHEC Rural Pathway, and Harvard Medical School Pre-College, accept rolling applications throughout the year.