13 Medical Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a high school student interested in medicine, consider joining a summer program. Summer programs in medicine can give you a real sense of what it’s like to study and work in healthcare. Medical programs balance classroom learning with exposure, whether that means shadowing doctors, assisting with research, or learning how medical teams collaborate. These opportunities aren’t just about observing—they help you practice practical skills, gain industry exposure, and connect with professionals who can guide your future path.
Massachusetts is home to many top universities, hospitals, and research institutions that host summer programs. Students who want to pursue medicine, whether they’re from Massachusetts or travelling from out of state, may find these programs a valuable way to explore the field before committing to it in college. You work with experts and professionals in the field and can learn about various medical practices and research, based on your interests.
To help you explore the best options, we’ve narrowed down a list of 13 medical programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
1. Boston Children's Hospital – SCOOP (Student Career Opportunity Outreach Program)
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, 10 positions available
Dates: 6 weeks between July–August
Application deadline: Applications close in late February
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The SCOOP program at Boston Children’s Hospital gives you the chance to spend six weeks in a pediatric hospital environment, where you’ll work about 24 hours a week. Most of your time will be spent in patient care areas, paired with a mentor who guides you through daily routines and helps you observe how care teams operate. You may shadow staff in different units or take part in tasks that support patient services, giving you practical exposure to the world of nursing and pediatric care. Once a week, you’ll join group sessions with other interns to exchange experiences and reflect on what you’ve learned so far. Alongside this, you’ll also work on a small project that highlights what you’ve discovered during your internship, which you present at the program’s conclusion.
2. Veritas AI's AI+Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
If you are interested in how technology shapes modern healthcare, the AI + Medicine track at Veritas AI gives you a strong way to learn how artificial intelligence is applied to medical challenges. Founded by Harvard graduate students, the program introduces you to key tools in data science and machine learning, with a focus on projects that support doctors and patients. You’ll explore how AI models can be trained to improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance medical imaging, and explain results in ways that aid decision-making. With guidance from mentors, you work on hands-on projects that bridge computer science with clinical needs. The program is designed for high school students at different levels, whether you’re just beginning or already have technical skills.
3. MGB Youth Program
Location: MGB-affiliated hospitals across Boston
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: Year‑round; with summer internships and seminars
Application deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 – 12
The MGB Youth Program supports high school students in the Boston area, combining academic support with exposure to healthcare careers. During the summer, you may be placed in a hospital department or lab, where you gain experience in healthcare settings and learn about issues such as public health and health equity. Year-round, the program also provides tutoring, SAT preparation, and workshops designed to strengthen your academic performance and college readiness. Mentorship from healthcare professionals helps you build confidence in navigating both school and career pathways.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
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)
Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you can conduct an independent research project from home under the guidance of a PhD-level mentor. Over 12 weeks, you’ll explore a topic in depth, with options ranging across many fields—including neuroscience, biotechnology, or medical data science if you want to focus on healthcare. Meetings with your mentor provide structure, feedback, and resources to help you shape your ideas into a formal research paper. You’ll gradually build skills in reviewing academic literature, designing methodologies, and presenting findings clearly. The program is remote, and you manage your own schedule while staying accountable through regular mentor check-ins. Many students use their finished work for competitions or journal submissions.
5. 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 29 – July 25
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
At UMass Chan Medical School, you can spend four weeks living on campus while exploring the many pathways within healthcare, biomedical research, and biotechnology. The program includes courses in subjects like biology, math, IT, and communication, paired with seminars that highlight pressing public health issues and cultural perspectives on healthcare. You’ll take part in field trips and internships where you observe professionals at work and gain insight into real-world medical settings. A major part of the experience is completing a Health Disparities Research Project that examines challenges faced by specific cultural groups in Massachusetts. Throughout the program, your progress is tracked through assessments and instructor feedback. At the end, you receive a stipend along with a certificate.
6. Broad Scholars Summer Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $3600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors who are US citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with employment authorisation (i.e. DACA), attend a high school in MA within commuting distance to the Broad, and have earned a B or higher in science and math classes
The Broad Summer Scholars Program gives you the chance to work for six weeks inside the Broad Institute, a leading centre for biomedical research. You’ll be paired with a scientist who guides you through a research project in fields such as cancer biology, infectious diseases, psychiatric disorders, or computational biology. Alongside your lab work, you will take part in workshops on scientific communication, college preparation, and professional development. Tutoring is available to help strengthen your understanding of scientific concepts related to your project, and transportation support is provided along with a stipend of $3,600. The program also includes social events and community activities, helping you connect with peers who share your interest in science. At the conclusion, you present your research in a poster session to the Broad community.
7. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 1–August 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years of age by the start of the program and reside in one of the following cities or towns in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston and Quincy
At Tufts University, the TUBERS program places you in a biomedical engineering lab for six weeks, where you’ll take part in ongoing research alongside faculty and graduate mentors. Depending on your placement, you may be studying cells, tissues, or systems, applying experimental techniques to answer scientific questions. Daily lab activities include designing experiments, analysing data, and practising the scientific method from hypothesis to results. You’ll also have opportunities to present your findings in a formal setting and potentially use your project in science competitions. The program includes mentorship, giving you direct guidance from researchers. By the end, you’ll have a completed project and practical lab experience that connects engineering with medicine.
8. Brigham and Women's Hospital – Youth Summer Program
Location: BWH campus, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically open in March
Eligibility: Boston residents enrolled in high school who are at least 16 years old by June 1
At Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Youth Summer Program places you in a professional setting for six weeks, working about 30 hours each week in hospital departments such as radiology, transport, materials management, or research labs. The experience is structured like a real job, so you develop time management and workplace skills while seeing how different hospital services contribute to patient care. Along with your department work, you’ll take part in sessions focused on career development and community health topics. The program is free to participate in and includes a stipend.
9. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30 - August 15
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors who will be over 16 years of age by June 30, are from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, have a GPA of 2.7+, and have completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
Through Project Success at Harvard Medical School, you will spend seven weeks as a paid research intern in a Harvard-affiliated lab, working on projects that address diseases, treatments, or other biomedical topics. The program emphasises lab-based learning, giving you practice with techniques, data analysis, and research ethics. You’ll also receive mentorship from scientists and clinicians who help guide your academic and career goals. Outside the lab, you will attend seminars on topics like public health and communication skills, along with site visits to biotech companies and hospitals that broaden your perspective on science in practice.
10. Massachusetts General Hospital – Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30–August 8
Application deadline: November 1–January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts during the program who have work authorisation in the U.S.
At Massachusetts General Hospital, the Youth Neurology Education and Research Program introduces you to clinical neuroscience through a full-time, paid summer experience. The program begins with a short bootcamp that covers lab techniques, professional expectations, and an introduction to neurological science. Afterwards, you’re placed in a neurology research lab with a faculty mentor, often working in pairs with other students on projects related to brain function or neurological disease. Weekly seminars led by neurologists give you exposure to topics ranging from cognitive health to emerging treatments, and field trips or networking lunches provide additional perspective on careers in medicine. At the end of the program, you present your findings to mentors and peers.
11. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 22–August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide
At MIT’s Research Science Institute, you join a six-week program that blends advanced STEM coursework with mentored research at MIT and nearby institutions. The program begins with an intensive academic week covering fields like biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering before transitioning into five weeks of hands-on research. You’ll be matched with a mentor and placed in a lab, where you contribute to active investigations and design your own project. You may choose to focus on medicine-related areas, such as biomedical engineering, computational biology, or public health data analysis, giving you a chance to explore research with clear connections to healthcare. You also attend evening lectures by scientists and industry leaders. The program concludes with a written research paper and a formal presentation.
12. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; virtual interns are provided a $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 5 weeks (June – August)
Application deadline: December 1 - March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the U.S.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program is a five-week virtual experience designed for high school juniors and seniors who want an early introduction to neuroscience. Through online lectures and lab technique demonstrations, you’ll learn about brain development, neurological disorders, and the role of research in understanding the nervous system. The program includes mentorship from professionals in neurology and neuroscience, giving you guidance as you develop a project that connects classroom concepts with real scientific inquiry. Alongside scientific instruction, you’ll take part in sessions that highlight career pathways in medicine and brain research. At the end of the program, you present your project and receive a certificate recognising your work.
13. Columbia Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (BrainSTORM)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Seminar Series: September–May (Monthly); Mentorship Program: June–May (one-year duration)
Application deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Columbia University’s BrainSTORM program introduces you to neuroscience through a combination of monthly seminars and a year-long research mentorship option. The seminars are led by experts in fields like neurology, neuropsychology, and neuroimaging, and they cover topics such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, concussions, and experimental design. If you continue into the mentorship component, you’ll work closely with a research professional on a project that matches your interests. These projects allow you to gain experience with research methods and to contribute original work that you later present at a poster symposium.
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