15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student in California interested in medicine, then enrolling in a summer program can be a great option. Summer programs allow you to explore career interests, especially in fields like medicine, without committing to long-term or costly options. These programs often offer exposure to clinical environments, biomedical research, or public health, giving you a chance to build practical skills and interact with experts.
In California, some of the most respected universities, hospitals, and research centres run summer programs specifically for high schoolers interested in health and science. Plenty of these opportunities are free or offer stipends, making them accessible to students from a range of backgrounds. You can also save on long-distance travel costs with these local programs.
To help you get started, we've carefully selected 15 medical summer programs for high schoolers in California!
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Stipend: Paid, at least a minimum of $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program that invites high school students from diverse backgrounds to perform basic research. You’ll work on a medically-oriented project with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and other researchers. The program's main goals include increasing your interest in biological sciences and medicine and helping you understand how scientific research is conducted.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts across Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: For Summer - May
Eligibility: High school students with prior AI/ML experience or completion of a Veritas AI program
The Veritas AI program is a highly selective and prestigious AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Their AI + Medicine Deep Dive allows you to learn how artificial intelligence is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You get the opportunity to work on projects using AI and Machine Learning (ML) models to diagnose diseases and sharpen medical scans. The program emphasises practical application, helping you understand how to use AI to aid both doctors and patients. This experience provides a deep dive into the intersection of technology and medicine, offering you a unique and valuable skill set for your future studies and career. Check out this application form for more details.
3. CURE Research Internship Program (UCSF)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: 11th-grade high school students with at least 16 years old
The CURE Research Internship is an 8-week, full-time summer program for high school juniors and community college students who are interested in health or science careers. If you're accepted, you’ll be matched with UCSF researchers and mentored through a research project in areas like basic, clinical, behavioural, or population science. In addition to lab experience, the program offers support with college planning, career exploration, and academic skill-building.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA ≥ 3.3
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research opportunity where you’ll work 1:1 with PhD mentors from top universities to create an independent research paper. You can choose from fields including psychology, physics, economics, engineering, computer science, and international relations. Programs range from 12 weeks to a full year, depending on your goals. Lumiere emphasises accessibility across disciplines, requiring no prior expertise. With a competitive application pool, acceptance into Lumiere is considered prestigious, and it provides an academic boost through mentorship, structured research, and publication pathways. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Oakland, CA.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $3,000 – $4,300 depending on student status
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students of 16 years or more with one year completed in Maths and Biology
If you're looking to explore a future in biomedical or health sciences, the UCSF Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) offers a 9-week, in-person experience focused on research and professional development. You’ll be matched with a mentor and work on a research project in either a clinical or laboratory setting. In addition to your project, you'll attend weekly lectures, seminars, and journal clubs with professionals from UCSF and other institutions. The program includes assignments like a personal statement, research proposal, and final presentation, which you’ll share at a closing research symposium.
6. Student Research Internship Program
Location: The Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx. 40 students
Dates: June 2 - August 8; June 16 - August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students age 16 years or older
The Student Research Internship Program at the Scripps Research Translational Institute is a 10-week summer opportunity for high school, college, and graduate students interested in medical research. As an intern, you’ll work with a mentor on an independent research project related to topics like genomics, mobile health (mHealth), or data science. Most projects are computational (dry lab), though a small number of wet lab placements are available. You’ll also participate in weekly seminars, develop a research proposal, and present your findings at a final poster session.
7. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 Students
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Open to low-income first-generation high school juniors
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week enrichment program designed for low-income first-generation high school juniors from Northern California. You will be mentored throughout the five weeks by medical professionals, faculty, and college students who are passionate about science. By building a cohort of like-minded peers, the program aims to cultivate the next generation of health leaders. This tuition-free opportunity provides intensive science exposure and a supportive environment for aspiring students.
8. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 stipend available for students with demonstrated financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors living in the Bay Area
The Paediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a 6-week summer experience for rising high school juniors and seniors who live in the Bay Area. During the program, you’ll work with Stanford researchers, faculty, and students to learn about science, medicine, and research through project work. PIPS is designed for students who have little or no prior exposure to research and want an introduction to biomedical science. The program includes about 30 hours of participation per week and is offered in person, with some remote work depending on university guidelines.
9. High School Intern Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Stipend of either $3200/25-hour week or $4500/35-hour week upon full completion of the program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohort of 25 students
Dates: June 9 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Only for rising high school seniors from SFUSD and SF charter schools
The Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) High School Intern Program is an eight-week paid summer internship where students learn to conduct biomedical research. Whether you're interested in neuroscience, cancer biology, stem cells, or infectious diseases, you'll get experience doing lab work. You will be matched with a scientist mentor from UC San Francisco who will guide you in learning scientific content and skills. You’ll build professional skills, get individualised college counselling, and become part of a supportive community of peers and mentors. Along the way, you'll develop your confidence, explore your potential, and gain a clearer picture of what your future in college and STEM could look like.
10. High School & College Summer Healthcare Program (Touro University California)
Location: Touro University, Vallejo, CA & Stockton, CA
Stipend: $600 upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 9 - July 18
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Senior or junior students of high school students
This six-week program provides an in-depth exploration of health professions and careers through a hybrid format. You’ll engage in experiences including clinical simulations, medication compounding labs, and a "Food as Medicine" lab. The program encourages collaborative learning through a community research project and a focus on public health. You also receive career and peer mentoring to help you with college or graduate school applications. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, you’ll earn 3 college credits, which can be a stepping stone toward a future in healthcare.
11. KP LAUNCH High School Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
Cost/Stipend: $23–$24 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 18
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 - 19
The KP LAUNCH High School Program is a paid seven-week summer work experience that exposes students to administrative and supporting careers within healthcare environments. The internship provides weekly workshops to help you develop personal and professional skills. You'll also attend weekly workshops focused on professional skills and career development, and have opportunities to network with mentors, peers, and health care professionals. The program aims to provide you with a unique, professional experience within a healthcare setting.
12. Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program
Location: Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid Internship with a MetroCard and cafeteria meals included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 16 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school junior in Los Angeles County
Each year, the Samuels Family LA-HIP offers high school juniors in Los Angeles County the chance to explore careers in science and medicine through a combination of research and college preparation. During the seven-week summer component, you’ll work full-time in a lab at The Saban Research Institute, gaining experience with biomedical research projects focused on pediatric health. The program continues into your senior year with college counselling, SAT preparation, and workshops on essential academic and life skills. You’ll also visit local college campuses, receive support with applications and financial aid, and present your research at a final symposium.
13. Summer Medical Academy (SMA) by Rady Children’s Hospital
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Cost: $3000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Session 1: June 16 - June 27; Session 2: July 7 - July 18
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 19
The Summer Medical Academy (SMA) is a two-week intensive program that provides high school-aged students with an opportunity to explore the world of medical training and practice. Taught by healthcare professionals, the program utilises a mixture of interactive lectures, hands-on skills clinics, group projects, and career panels. The program is a collaboration between Rady Children's Hospital and a number of community partners, including the UCSD School of Medicine.
14. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost: $6,380
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: varying deadlines
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship is designed for curious students who wish to explore the art and science of medicine. You'll get experience through activities like simulating medical cases and performing guided dissections of organs like the heart, brain, and kidney. The program also offers opportunities to visit Stanford clinics and the emergency "Life Flight" station.
15. 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: Varying deadlines
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+
The FACES Summer Medical Academy (FSMA) is a two-week program that offers high school students in-depth opportunities to explore their interests in health and medicine. The program provides a unique blend of clinical skills training, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to healthcare careers through interactive workshops, field trips, and problem-based learning. While it does not offer college credit, the skills and experiences gained provide a strong foundation for future academic and career goals.