14 Medical Programs for High School Students in NYC
If you’re interested in healthcare, medical programs are a practical way to test the waters before college. These programs let you practice foundational skills, such as basic lab techniques, patient-facing communication, and medical data analysis. You can learn directly from scientists, clinicians, and public-health professionals, and meet like-minded peers, to start building a network.
Various programs are hosted by major NYC institutions, such as universities, non-profits, and research labs, which provide a valuable experience to participants. Whether you’re interested in neuroscience, oncology, or medical research, you can find a program suitable for you. These programs allow you to explore your interests and develop skills useful for academia and professional work.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed things down to 14 medical programs for high school students in NYC.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Eight weeks; June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors in NYC, GPA 3.5+
In this program, you’ll work alongside researchers studying the biology of cancer. You’ll gain exposure to oncology, molecular biology, and lab techniques used in cancer research. The program also includes weekly lectures on cancer science and treatment. By the end, you’ll present your findings in a poster session to faculty, researchers, and peers, mirroring professional scientific conferences.
2. Veritas AI — AI + Medicine Deep Dive Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 10-week sessions; year-round (summer cohort available June – August)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8–12 with prior coding experience or completion of AI Scholars
In this program, you’ll learn how artificial intelligence is reshaping medicine. You’ll explore real-world datasets from medical imaging, clinical trials, or diagnostics and apply machine learning models to solve problems. With support from mentors, you’ll design an independent project, such as predicting disease risk or analyzing patient data. By the end, you’ll present your project to peers and receive feedback, showing how AI can directly influence healthcare.
3. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — Summer Student Program
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: Eight weeks; June – August (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students in NYC
At Mount Sinai’s Summer Student Program, you’ll be placed in a biomedical lab under the supervision of researchers. You’ll learn lab techniques such as PCR, tissue culture, and data analysis, while contributing to real projects in molecular biology or genetics. Weekly seminars will expose you to different medical research topics and career paths. By the end, you’ll present your project at a symposium, gaining both scientific and communication skills.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Biology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 12-week sessions offered in summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Rolling based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 with a strong academic standing
In Lumiere’s Biology Track, you’ll work individually with a PhD mentor to complete an independent research project in medicine or healthcare. You’ll learn how to conduct literature reviews, design experiments, and analyze results. Your project could focus on topics such as oncology, neuroscience, or public health, depending on your interests. By the end, you’ll produce a formal research paper and present your findings in a structured format.
5. Rockefeller University — Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend may be available for eligible students facing financial constraints
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: October 14 - January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, 16+
Through Rockefeller’s SSRP, you’ll spend six weeks working in a biomedical research lab alongside scientists and graduate students. You’ll learn techniques such as DNA analysis, microscopy, and cell culture while contributing to ongoing projects. Weekly seminars will introduce you to research careers in medicine and biology. At the end of the program, you’ll present your project at a poster session, mirroring a professional scientific conference.
6. Columbia University Zuckerman Institute — BRAINYAC
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Vary each year
Application Deadline: Fall via partner program (exact dates vary each year)
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students from NYC partner schools/programs
Through BRAINYAC, you’ll be placed in a Columbia neuroscience lab for the summer. You’ll learn how to run experiments, keep a lab notebook, and analyse brain data with the help of mentors. The program also includes Saturday workshops to prepare you for lab work. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research to scientists, mentors, and peers at a public symposium.
7. NIH STEP-UP Summer Research Program
Location: Various – you conduct research in your local area
Stipend: Paid research internship (stipend provided by NIH; not disclosed)
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks in summer (flexible, typically June–August)
Application Deadline: February 15 (national deadline)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be 16+)
As a STEP-UP student, you’ll be matched with a research mentor in a field of your interest (often at a university near you). You’ll spend 8 weeks in the summer working on a research project, which could involve lab work, clinical research, or public health research. Areas of focus may include diabetes, endocrinology, nutrition, kidney diseases, and more. At the end of summer, you’ll present your research at a symposium with peers from across the country.
8. Sophie Davis/CUNY — Health Professions Mentorship Program (HPMP)
Location: CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two 4-week summer sessions with continued commitment for 2 years
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, especially minorities in medicine
Through HPMP, you’ll join a mentorship and summer enrichment program designed to introduce you to careers in medicine and health professions. You’ll participate in workshops on medical topics, career development, and college readiness. Clinical shadowing opportunities and community health projects give you a chance to connect classroom learning to real-world healthcare. Faculty and medical student mentors will guide you throughout, helping you set goals and plan for a future in medicine.
9. NYU Grossman School of Medicine — STEP (Science & Technology Entry Program)
Location: NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
Cost: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: October 19 - May 3
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots filled
Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented groups
STEP at NYU provides academic enrichment in science and math, plus exposure to healthcare careers. You’ll participate in summer classes, lab experiences, and mentorship programs led by NYU faculty and medical students. The program also supports you year-round with tutoring and college prep workshops. By the end, you’ll have stronger skills and a clearer view of pathways into medicine.
10. Columbia University - Medicine as a Career Choice: Thinking Like a Doctor
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $2825; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: August 11-15 (Summer C)
Application Deadline: Early February or April (tentative); varies each year
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12, 16+
In this course, you’ll explore what it means to think like a doctor, balancing detail-oriented logic with big-picture care. The curriculum blends interactive lectures, thought experiments, and case discussions on topics such as evidence-based medicine, ethics, malpractice, and the journey through medical school. You’ll engage in discussions about the evolving role of physicians in society and the mindset required for clinical reasoning. By the end of the week, you’ll gain clarity on whether a medical career aligns with your strengths and aspirations.
11. NYU Langone Health — High School Bioethics Project
Location: Virtual
Stipend: ~$500 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: October 20 - December 12
Application Deadline: September 17 - 30
Eligibility: High school juniors in NYC
At NYU’s Bioethics Project, you’ll learn how ethical decision-making shapes modern healthcare. Through workshops and readings, you’ll study issues such as patient consent, genetic testing, and access to treatment. You’ll also work on a research project where you analyze a medical ethics case and present your findings. The program emphasizes writing, debate, and critical thinking skills that are valuable for future medical study. Although this is not a summer program, it is worth considering for its unique offerings in the field of medical ethics.
12. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee; $850 participation fee; need-based financial aid available for both
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 - 27
Application Deadline: December 9 - February 28 (fee waiver deadline: February 21)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12), 14+, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This two-week online program covers both the technical and medical sides of AI in healthcare. You’ll attend daily lectures where experts explain how AI is used in medicine. There are also group research sessions led by Stanford students and researchers to help you gain insights into this niche. At lunchtime, guest speakers from universities, companies, and the government will also share their experiences.
13. UH Sequencing Core Virtual Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Undisclosed stipend from the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program partnership
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: Summer (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in biomedical research, especially in immunology or precision oncology
In this program, you’ll take up a research project that integrates immunology and oncology. Mentors with Ph.D.-level training will guide you as you learn sequencing methods, bioinformatics, and techniques for data analysis. At the end, you’ll also have the opportunity to present your project findings in an online session, offering you a sneak peek into graduate-style research. Applications are handled through the U.S. Army’s Educational Outreach Program.
14. Medicine Encompassed (ME) Student Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Year-round, rolling
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
Medicine Encompassed is a student-run nonprofit that offers online internships in medical education and outreach. In this program, you’ll work with other high school students from around the world to create study guides, blog posts, and learning resources. You can take on roles such as writer, editor, or content creator. By the end of the program, you will have practiced skills in scientific writing, content development, and teamwork, while also contributing to resources that support wider access to medical knowledge.
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