15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you're a high school student curious about pursuing a career in medicine, joining a structured summer program is a good way to explore the field early. These programs allow you to experience healthcare settings firsthand through clinical simulations, lab-based research, or guided mentorship from professionals. You’ll get to test your interest in areas like anatomy, public health, or biomedical science, while also building practical skills and learning what it’s really like to work in healthcare.
Why should you attend a program in Illinois?
Illinois is home to a strong mix of research hospitals, medical schools, and health-focused institutions that offer top-tier programming for students. From downtown Chicago to university campuses across the state, there are opportunities to shadow physicians, work on medical research projects, and engage in lab work. Whether you're a local student or visiting from out of state, participating in one of these programs can help you gain confidence, build your resume, and decide if a healthcare career is right for you.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 medical summer programs for high school students in Illinois.
If you are looking for internships in Illinois, check out our blog here.
1. SpHERES High School Research Program
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign County, IL
Stipend: $2,400 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; only 30 lab spots are available in all the Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs combined
Dates: June 20 – August 1; orientation on June 17 and 18
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Eligibility: Rising 10th - 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
The SpHEREs program is part of the Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs. You will work with university faculty on research projects focused on clinical topics, emphasizing the intersections of medicine, science, and engineering. In addition to working on your research project, you will attend seminars covering clinical skills, healthcare entrepreneurship, holistic, inclusive care, and more. During your participation, you will be mentored by medical students and professors who will provide the additional guidance required to prepare for medical school.
2. ResearcHStart
Location: University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and Rush University, Chicago, IL; Northwestern University, Cook County, IL; and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign County, IL
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school students completing 11th or 12th grade who will be at least 16 years old on the first day of the program and are residents of Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
This program, offered by the University of Illinois Cancer Center, provides hands-on research experience. Over eight weeks, you'll work solo on a project in a lab setting, gaining insights into cancer research. You will present your findings at the Cancer Center’s student research symposium. Alongside this, you'll study topics like biophysics, biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology. Your schedule will also feature workshops, lectures, and professional development activities.
3. Veritas AI: Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective | Group classes have a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python
As a program created and run by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI primarily concentrates on artificial intelligence. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive division of the program, you will learn the practical uses of AI in healthcare and other medical fields while gaining hands-on experience implementing AI in them. This will include diagnosing diseases, enhancing medical scan reports, and interpreting their results with doctors and patients using AI and ML models. For those interested in joining the Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive, here is the program brochure with more details, along with the application form.
4. Chicago EYES on Cancer
Location: The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,000 stipend per year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 participants per year
Dates: June 15 – August 7; the program typically runs from the second full week of June through the first week of August
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders who will be at least 16 on the first day of the program; should be a resident of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana
Elaborately called the Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer, this program places you in the university’s laboratories that are working on cancer research. The program runs for two consecutive summers, with additional evening or weekend Zoom meetings during the academic year. The first summer introduces you to laboratory techniques and collaborative cancer research projects, while the second summer emphasizes independent research and closer mentorship. You will acquire hands-on experience with laboratory methods, engage in cancer-related studies, and develop skills in presenting your work via posters and presentations.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Medicine Track
Location: Remote; you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring; Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
If you are curious about researching a particular topic, this Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to do so. In this intensive and structured program, you will be able to conduct extensive research on various subjects, including medicine and other related fields such as neuroscience and psychology. As a participant, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor with whom you will work 1-on-1 for 12 weeks to complete your independent research project. During the program, you will typically meet with your mentor nine times and with your writing coach two times. You can find more details about the application here.
6. University of Illinois - Summer Science Internship
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and are from one of the high schools eligible to participate in the internship (see list here)
The Summer Research Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford seeks to motivate high school students to explore careers in science through direct involvement in medical and industrial research. During the internship, you will focus on areas such as cancer research, vaccine development, and new medicine design. This provides an opportunity to work alongside scientists and gain firsthand experience as part of a research team. Most notably, you'll develop various laboratory skills during the program. Additionally, the program focuses on professional growth, providing training in resume writing, interview techniques, presentation skills, leadership, and teamwork.
7. Cancer Health Engagement Summer Scholars (CHESS)
Location: University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 17 – 20 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders who reside in Cook County and are at least 16 years old on the first day of the program
The CHESS program is designed for underrepresented high school students, offering training and mentorship to help them succeed in cancer research careers. Over eight weeks, you'll work independently on a project that you'll present at the program's symposium. Your research area can include fields like molecular biology, computation, biostatistics, or others. Your lab placement will be based on your chosen topic, and you'll intern there for 35-40 hours weekly. Besides research experience, you can also develop additional academic and professional skills.
8. MedSTEM Explorers
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders who are Chicago, Oak Park & River Forest residents with a minimum weighted GPA of 2.5 and an 80 percent attendance record
The MedSTEM Explorers program at Rush University Medical Center is a paid six-week opportunity for Chicago high school students interested in healthcare and STEM. Participants engage in research projects, skill-building workshops, and discussions with healthcare professionals. The program also offers certification in first aid and CPR and opportunities to observe or assist in clinical settings. Additionally, students can network with healthcare experts and peers passionate about medical careers.
9. SIH Summer Internship Program
Location: Various Southern Illinois Healthcare facilities in southern Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Free + meal cards offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 18 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders and graduating 12th graders
The Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) Summer Internship Program offers a chance to explore healthcare careers through hands-on clinical experiences and job shadowing. Interns can choose from various departments such as laboratory, nursing, radiology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and more. The program involves working four- to six-hour shifts, two to three days each week, in your assigned area. Throughout the internship, you might observe different healthcare activities and professionals, including a respiratory therapist providing treatments, pharmacists checking medication dosages, or nurses managing multiple patient needs.
10. Healthcare Discovery Camp
Location: Kirby Medical Center (KMC), Monticello, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 35
Dates: Thursdays in June
Application Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: High school students
This Healthcare Discovery Camp offers an engaging way to explore healthcare careers. You will have the chance to explore different healthcare fields like nursing, therapy, emergency services, pharmacy, health information management, and more. During the camp, your schedule will feature one-on-one staff observations, Q&A panels, department tours, Discovery labs, and group discussions. The camp aims to teach participants how to become effective healthcare professionals for their patients.
11. Endeavor Health Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple hospital locations in the Chicago suburbs, such as Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park, Skokie, as well as Edward and Elmhurst
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by hospital site and year
Dates: 8 to 10-week commitment over the summer (typically June through August)
Application Deadline: Not specified; typically very narrow and begins in February or March
Eligibility: High school students aged 16; some locations accept students aged 14
The Endeavor Health Junior Volunteer Program offers another way to gain hospital experience. This can enhance your understanding of various healthcare operations, patient support, and how clinical departments work. During the program, you'll assist staff with non-clinical tasks, offer comfort and support to patients and visitors, and help with unit logistics. The program provides insight into the daily routines of medical staff.
12. Rural Health Careers Camp
Location: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Cost: $100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 50 students
Dates: June 23 – 25
Application Deadline: Opens in January
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 11th graders who live and attend high school in a rural community (25,000 or fewer population)
If you're looking to build a healthcare career, this program provides the resources and training you might need. In this three-day residential camp, you will participate in educational and lab activities that provide a glimpse into various healthcare careers. The camp will also give you a picture of college life, while simultaneously helping you prepare for medical school. One of the standout features of this camp is the opportunity to work alongside healthcare providers.
13. Pathways To Saluki Medicine
Location: SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
Cost: $350 (limited scholarships available; apply for scholarship by March 1)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 8 – 13
Application Deadline: Opens March 17
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders
This five-day program offers opportunities to meet industry experts, learn from them, and gain practical experience in the biomedical field. You will develop clinical skills such as administering CPR and first aid, and you will have the chance to visit a cadaver anatomy lab. The camp also offers leisure activities such as bowling, ping-pong, trivia, and more.
14. Summer Program in Vascular Neurology
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 1 week in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens in May
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders and recent graduates
Conducted by the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation at the University of Illinois at Chicago, this seven-day program is aimed at students considering careers in medicine and neuroscience. In one week, you will learn the basics of stroke prevention, approaches to acute neurovascular emergencies, and the interpretation of advanced brain imaging studies. It also provides you with hands-on experience by allowing you to work alongside the stroke service team and check on inpatients. You will also be assessing outpatients in the afternoons.
15. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI)
Location: Remote
Cost: $850 + application fee of $40 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 25 students
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are over 14 and are US citizens or permanent residents
The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program that allows you to delve into healthcare technology through virtual sessions on AI's fundamentals and importance. You will learn from Stanford student leaders and researchers who serve as mentors and support you with hands-on research projects. Additionally, the program includes “Career Lunch and Learn” sessions with guest speakers from academia, government, industry, and other sectors. After completing the program, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion and may be offered an extended independent research internship during the school year.
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