14 Medical Programs for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student interested in medicine, a structured program can give you an early start. These programs allow you to work on your fields of interest in a guided setting, led by mentors and professionals who help you develop practical skills and learn more about your interests. You can start building your network with mentors and peers, and add to your resume with these programs.
Many medical programs give you the chance to step into the world of healthcare, science, and research while you’re still in the classroom. Some are hosted in person at top universities and hospitals, while others are virtual, making them more accessible no matter where you live. They allow you to connect with medical professionals while also learning about future options. Whether you’re drawn to anatomy, public health, or medical research, these programs make it easy to explore your interests in a supportive and inspiring environment.
To help you see what’s out there, we’ve put together a list of 15 medical programs for middle school students.
1. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance rate: Moderate
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI gives you the chance to understand how artificial intelligence works and how it connects with the real world. Across 25 online hours, you’ll be introduced to Python coding and explore topics like data analysis, regression, image recognition, and even neural networks. Ethics in AI is also part of the program, helping you think about the impact of technology on society. You’ll take part in small group discussions and activities with close mentorship thanks to the 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Students in the past have created projects ranging from algorithms that sort music genres to models that recommend educational resources.
2. Anatomy and Physiology Course - Johns Hopkins CTY
Location: Johns Hopkins University, MD or Ursinus College, PA
Cost: Varies according to locations and cohorts; more details here. (Financial Aid Available)
Acceptance rate: Highly Selective; 18-20 students
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 11 | Session 2: July 13 – August 1
Application deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-8
If you’ve ever wondered how the human body really works, the Johns Hopkins CTY Anatomy and Physiology course goes into detail on almost every system in your body. From the immune and skeletal systems to the nervous and respiratory ones, you’ll see how cells, tissues, and organs connect to keep everything functioning. Classes combine readings, discussions, and labs, with a highlight being the dissection of a fetal pig to learn about anatomy firsthand. You’ll also complete assignments like modeling how different systems maintain balance in the body or studying a disease to understand how it disrupts normal functions. To join this prestigious medical program for middle school students, you’ll need to qualify through testing.
3. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Varies for different cohorts, with two Summer cohorts starting on June 2 and July 14
Application deadline: Varies for different cohorts, more details here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week online experience where you’ll dive into different fields, including medicine, with guidance from a PhD mentor. The first half of the program is all about exploring your chosen track — in this case, Biology, Medicine, and Public Health — so you’ll study areas like the human body, how diseases spread, and even genetics and gene-editing. In weeks five and six, you’ll narrow your focus on one of these subjects to dig deeper. By the last two weeks, you’ll design and complete your own project, which could take the form of a policy brief, case study, or research-style review.
4. Pre-Med Readiness Summer Intensive Program - MPP Academy
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.; Virtual option also available.
Cost: Varies according to different locations and sessions, more details here (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Varies according to different locations and sessions
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Pre-Med Readiness Summer Intensive, hosted by MPP Academy, blends medical training with preparation for college and career pathways. Over one or two weeks, either virtually or on campus, you’ll study anatomy, physiology, and biology while practicing clinical skills like taking vitals, wound care, injections, and suturing. Simulations give you the chance to experience what patient interaction and treatment might look like in real settings. In addition to medical training, the program offers workshops focused on college readiness, encompassing admissions, financial planning, and academic skill enhancement. By the end of this medical program for middle school students, you’ll also earn certifications in First Aid and CPR, giving you practical qualifications to carry forward.
5. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP), Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Summer Session: Classes are held Monday through Friday (10 am - 2 pm) in July | Academic Year: Classes are held on Saturdays (9 am - 3 pm) from October to May
Application deadline: Typically due in mid-May
Eligibility: Students enrolled in Grades 7 to 12 | A New York State Resident or a Permanent Resident residing in the state | Economically disadvantaged, or Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native, or American Indian; and will benefit from academic enrichment.
Columbia University’s S-PREP is a free academic program for students in grades 7 through 12 who are curious about medicine, science, and related careers. As a participant, you’ll take enrichment classes in subjects like anatomy, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology, along with advanced math courses ranging from algebra to calculus. The program also offers PSAT and SAT prep, college counseling, and workshops on career development to help prepare you for your next steps. For students especially interested in research, this medical program for middle school students includes opportunities like BRAINYAC, which lets you learn neuroscience skills in the spring before joining a Columbia lab in the summer. Field trips, college tours, and interaction with peers and mentors make the experience more than just classroom learning.
6. Mini Med School
Location: Boston Leadership Institute, MA
Cost: Day Program Fees (One-Week tuition): $699; Residential Fee: +$699
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 20 | Session 2: June 23 – June 27 | Session 3: July 21 – July 25
Application deadline: One-week programs do not require an application.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8
Mini Med School is set up like a tour through the different areas of medicine, giving you a chance to see how doctors think and approach problems. Each day covers a new topic, starting with basics like checkups, reflex testing, and listening to a patient’s breathing. You’ll then explore child development and pediatric health before moving into specialized areas such as neuroscience, where you’ll learn about the nervous system and conditions like Alzheimer’s. The program offers an in-depth exploration of the heart, covering its functions, the mechanisms of a heart attack, and surgical interventions such as bypass surgery. Beyond that, you’ll cover subjects like orthopedics, oncology, and genetic diseases, helping you understand how different medical fields connect.
7. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
Location: American University, Washington, DC or University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $2,895 (Residential) & $2,495 (Commuter); Scholarships available
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Varies according to different locations and sessions, more details here.
Application deadline: Admissions accepted until seats are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8, aged 11 years or above
At the NSLC Middle School Medicine & Healthcare program, you’ll get to see what it feels like to step into the shoes of a medical professional. Over six days, you’ll participate in dissections of organs like hearts, eyes, and squids to better understand anatomy, while also practicing essential skills such as taking vital signs and suturing. Through hands-on simulations and case studies, you’ll explore how doctors think about patient care and diagnosis. Alongside the medical focus, the program also covers leadership skills that can help you both in and out of the classroom. Since it takes place on a college campus, you’ll experience a learning environment that feels more advanced than your regular school, and you’ll also have opportunities to visit museums and historic landmarks nearby.
8. Middle School Medicine at Berkeley
Location: UC Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential: $2,898; Commuter: $1,498; +$250 Medicine course supplement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – July 11 | Session 2: July 13 – July 18 | Session 3: July 20 – July 25 | Session 4: July 27 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students who have at least finished 6th grade, including students completing the 8th grade, with a GPA of 3.0
In the Middle School Medicine program at Berkeley, you’ll practice emergency skills like CPR, suturing, splinting, and even working through a simulated “mass casualty” triage. You'll collaborate with your team to review patient history, diagnose conditions, and develop treatment plans, mirroring the work of medical professionals. A key highlight is visiting UCSF’s KANBAR simulation center, where you can try intubation, wound care, and other advanced techniques guided by trainers. Depending on the session, you might tour an ambulance with a fire department team or explore anatomy through a 3D virtual dissection table. Along the way, you’ll meet emergency medicine experts and learn how fast decisions can make a difference in critical care. The medical program for middle school students also includes chances to see the Bay Area and its landmarks.
9. Middle School Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions (StEP-UP)
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, WI
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Academic Year Program (November-April)
Application deadline: August 1 – September 30
Eligibility: Enrolled in 6th-8th grade in MPS, or charter/private school in Milwaukee or surrounding areas
The StEP-UP program gives you the chance to explore careers in medicine and health sciences over six Saturdays during the school year. Led by medical students, pre-med undergraduates, and practicing doctors, the sessions introduce you to hands-on activities and discussions about the many jobs that exist in healthcare. Beyond traditional roles such as doctors and nurses, you'll explore research and other health-related career paths. The program is designed especially for students from groups that are underrepresented in medicine, giving you both exposure and encouragement early on.
10. A Dose of Pharma Creations - Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $275
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: July 14 – July 18
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Middle school students
In A Dose of Pharma Creations at the Sally Ride Science Academy, you’ll explore the world of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in healthcare. Through case-based activities, you’ll learn how pharmacists solve real problems, such as deciding the best treatment for conditions like asthma or allergic reactions. Practical exercises include practicing with inhalers and EpiPens, as well as designing your own custom medication for a superhero, alien, or even a monster patient. Alongside hands-on labs, you’ll meet guest experts from pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, giving you direct insight into the field.
11. Summer Springboard - Middle School Medicine Program
Location: University of Berkeley, CA | University of California, San Diego, CA | or Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Cost: $2,898 (Residential) and $1,498 (Commuter), with $99 application fee and $250 Middle School Medicine course supplement
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Varies according to different sessions and locations, more details here
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged between 11 and 13 who have completed 6th grade with a grade point average of 3.0 or equivalent
At the Summer Springboard Middle School Medicine Program, you’ll spend one week diving into the basics of medical training through daily three-hour classes. Each session covers practical skills like CPR certification, patient history review, suturing, and forming treatment plans. You’ll work through realistic emergency room simulations, including group scenarios that test your ability to think quickly and diagnose under pressure. Outside the classroom, you’ll hear from guest speakers and go on excursions to learn directly from people working in the medical field. The mix of simulations, labs, and expert talks gives you a well-rounded view of what doctors and healthcare workers face every day.
12. UC Irvine Brain Camp
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: $2,195 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: July 14 – July 25
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12
At UC Irvine’s Brain Camp, you’ll spend two weeks fully immersed in the study of neuroscience through lectures, labs, dissections, and tours of working research facilities. Every day from 9 to 4, you’ll explore topics such as brain anatomy, memory, sensation, neuropharmacology, and even brain-machine interfaces. In the labs, you’ll get hands-on practice with techniques like brain imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics, and animal models that researchers use to study the brain. Workshops will help you build skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication, preparing you to think like a young scientist. Throughout the medical program for middle school students, you’ll network with neuroscience professors, graduate researchers, and college students. During the final week, you’ll design and present your own experiment to faculty and families.
13. Foundations of Medicine - Pre-college Program at Rice University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Rice University’s Foundations of Medicine course is a virtual program that introduces you to physiology, or how different systems in the body work together. Over 20 to 30 hours of instruction, you’ll study the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, as well as basic scientific ideas like electrical conduction, flow and resistance, and active and passive transport. You’ll also learn how muscles contract, how neurons communicate, and how the heart and lungs function in keeping the body alive. Physicians and other professionals share how these systems can go wrong and what doctors do when problems occur. A final project allows you to demonstrate your learning by creating models that explain the body’s functions.
14. Regenerative Medicine Course - Dartmouth University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
The Regenerative Medicine course at Dartmouth introduces you to one of the most innovative areas of modern healthcare: repairing and rebuilding the human body. You will explore stem cells, tissue engineering, and organ regeneration during your one, two, or four-week session. The curriculum includes the science behind 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, and other cutting-edge technologies that scientists are employing to tackle organ shortages and various medical challenges. You’ll also discuss the broader impact of regenerative medicine on fields like biotechnology, personalized medicine, and even space medicine. Case studies and interactive lessons let you see how this science is applied in real-world situations. A final capstone project gives you the chance to pull your learnings together.
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