15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a high school student interested in medicine, summer programs are a great way to explore the field early while gaining practical experience in healthcare settings. These programs often include clinical simulations, lab work, lectures from medical professionals, and opportunities to observe or participate in research. Along the way, you'll build practical skills, explore career paths, and connect with mentors who can help guide your next steps.
Massachusetts is an especially strong place to explore these opportunities, thanks to its world-class hospitals, medical schools, and research institutions. Whether you're a local student looking for in-state programs or visiting from elsewhere, studying in Massachusetts offers access to top-tier facilities and experts working at the cutting edge of medicine and public health.
To help students and families find the best options, we’ve curated a list of 15 medical summer programs in Massachusetts for high school students.
1. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,600 stipend
Application Deadline: Late January; Specific dates TBA
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7
Eligibility: Rising MA high school seniors with a B or better in science and math who are U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with work authorization.
BSSP is a six-week summer research program at the Broad Institute designed for high school students with an interest in science. During the program, you’ll be matched with a research team and contribute to projects in areas such as cancer biology, infectious diseases, chemical biology, computational biology, and psychiatric disorders. You’ll gain experience with both lab-based and computational methods, and work closely with a tutor who will help you understand the science behind your project. The program includes regular seminars led by researchers, a scientific poster session where you’ll share your findings, and various collaborative activities. In addition to research, you’ll have the chance to explore college and career pathways in science and take part in social and community-building events.
2. Veritas AI Deep Dive (AI + Medicine)
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience can apply
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. You can find the application form here.
3. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: March 2
Program Dates: June 28 – July 24
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
At UMass Chan Medical School, you’ll spend four weeks living on campus while exploring different paths in healthcare, biomedical research, and biotechnology. You’ll take courses in subjects like biology, math, IT, and communication, along with seminars that focus on public health issues and how culture impacts healthcare access and delivery. As part of the program, you’ll go on field trips and take part in internships where you can observe healthcare professionals and learn more about real-world medical environments. A key part of your experience is a Health Disparities Research Project, where you’ll examine healthcare challenges affecting specific cultural groups in Massachusetts. Throughout the program, your work will be evaluated through assessments and instructor feedback. At the end, you’ll earn a stipend and a certificate.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program- Medicine Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper. In the past, students have explored healthcare topics such as vaccine development and disease mechanisms. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Massachusetts General Hospital’s Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided (amount unspecified)
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts during the program who have work authorization in the U.S.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program at Mass Gen places students in a research lab where they can work alongside neurologists and neuroscientists on active projects. The program begins with a multi-day orientation that introduces you to essential lab techniques, research practices, and support resources. As the weeks progress, you’ll take part in weekly sessions led by professionals that focus on topics in neurology and research. These sessions are designed to help you build a broader understanding of the field. At the end of the program, you'll share your research findings with your peers, mentors, and others involved in the program.
6. Harvard Medical School’s Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend varies by placement, amount not specified
Application Deadline: February 3 (tentative, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June 30 – August 15 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors | Over 16 years of age by June 30 | From underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds | GPA of 2.7+ | Completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
Project Success is a seven-week paid summer internship offered by Harvard Medical School for students from Boston or Cambridge who are underrepresented in medicine or come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program places you in research labs at Harvard or affiliated institutions, where you are mentored by scientists and medical professionals. In addition to research responsibilities, the program includes seminars, workshops, and visits to hospitals and biotech companies. You’ll also receive guidance on career planning, along with support in developing your writing, presentation, and communication skills. Networking with professionals in the field is a core part of the experience.
7. Mass General Brigham Youth Program
Location: MGB-affiliated hospitals across Boston
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Program Dates: Year‑round, with summer internships and seminars
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 – 12
The MGB Youth Program offers students in the Boston area a combination of academic support and hands-on exposure to healthcare environments. During the summer, you may be assigned to hospital departments or research labs, where you observe and assist with day-to-day tasks while learning about public health and health equity. Throughout the year, the program also includes tutoring, SAT prep, and workshops focused on academic improvement and college planning. Mentorship from professionals in healthcare provides additional support as you explore educational and career options.
8. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically closes in April
Program Dates: July 1 – August 15 (tentative, based on previous years)
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
Through the TUBERS program at Tufts University, you spend six weeks working in a biomedical engineering lab, contributing to active research projects under the guidance of faculty and graduate mentors. Your work may involve studying biological systems at the cellular, tissue, or systemic level, depending on your lab placement. Each day, you engage in activities such as designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and applying the scientific method to real research questions. You also have the chance to present your findings in a formal setting and may choose to develop your project further for science fairs or competitions.
9. Brigham and Women's Hospital – Youth Summer Program
Location: BWH campus, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
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 gives you the chance to spend six weeks in a professional environment, working about 30 hours each week in areas like radiology, transport, materials management, or research labs. You’ll take on responsibilities similar to a real job, which helps you build time management and workplace skills while learning how different departments support patient care. In addition to your daily work, you’ll join sessions that explore career paths and topics related to community health. The program is free, and you’ll receive a stipend for your time.
10. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: December 10
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors who are at least 16 years old
At MIT’s Research Science Institute, you’ll spend six weeks combining academic study with research in STEM fields. The program starts with a week of coursework in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. After that, you begin a five-week research placement, working with a mentor in a lab at MIT or a nearby institution. For those interested in healthcare, areas of focus can include biomedical engineering, computational biology, or public health data. Evening lectures provide insights from researchers and professionals in scientific and industrial fields. The program concludes with a research paper and a formal presentation of your findings.
11. Harvard Medical School MEDscienceClinical Summer
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $2,800 (5-day) or $2,250 (4-day); scholarships available for Boston area students
Application Deadline: March 25
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June – August
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 at the time of application
This weeklong non-residential program at Harvard Medical School immerses you in a medical simulation ER, training you to diagnose, treat, and communicate as a clinician. You’ll use simulated patients to practice hands-on medical skills, such as suturing and intubation. Trainees will also receive certifications in CPR/AED and trauma care through specialized workshops. The program emphasizes direct interaction with physicians, nurses, and medical students in small group settings, where participants collaborate on various scenarios. In addition to clinical practice, "MEDchats" offer opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals who discuss career paths and patient cases.
12. EXPLO Medical Rotations Program
Location: Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Cost/Stipend: $6,295 (Overnight) | $4,045 (Day); plus $400 supplement; need-based aid available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: June 28 – July 11 (Session 1) | July 12 – 25 (Session 2)
Eligibility: Rising grades 8 and 9
EXPLO’s Medical Rotations program is a two-week immersive experience designed to introduce students to clinical practice and healthcare careers. Participants rotate through a variety of simulated medical stations that include diagnostic imaging (such as reading X-rays), basic surgical skills like suturing, and emergency response scenarios. Students also interact with practicing healthcare professionals through structured workshops and demonstrations. The curriculum is delivered on a college campus using mock clinical environments, and the program emphasizes observation, communication, and clinical reasoning.
13. Boston University AIM: Introduction to Medicine
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $7,245 (Residential) | $5,708.25 (Commuter)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Program Dates: July 19 – August 7 (Residential) | July 20 – August 7 (Commuter)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Boston University’s AIM program offers a three-week, academically intensive introduction to medicine in collaboration with the BU School of Medicine. Students attend premedical seminars, engage in research-oriented labs, and analyze clinical case studies under the guidance of medical school faculty and graduate students. The curriculum covers topics such as human physiology, disease pathology, and biomedical ethics. Students gain exposure to hospital-based practice and conclude with a capstone project that simulates clinical decision-making.
14. Aspiring Physician and Medical Scientist Summer Program – MGH Institute of Health Professions
Location: MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA
Cost: $4,500
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 20 – 31 | August 3 – 14
Eligibility: High school students
This two-week program, hosted by the MGH Institute of Health Professions, provides high school students with foundational exposure to both clinical medicine and biomedical research. Students participate in a mix of academic lectures, clinical skills simulations, and lab-based research activities. Topics include patient care techniques, anatomy, diagnostics, and scientific inquiry methods. Sessions are led by faculty and clinicians affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
15. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over the age of 14
The AIMI Summer Research Internship at Stanford is a program where you can explore the use of artificial intelligence in medicine through hands-on research. You’ll work with professionals in AI, machine learning, and medical imaging, gaining experience with real-world projects. The internship also includes sessions with researchers and guest speakers from various fields like academia, non-profits, government, and more, who share insights into different academic and career paths. Each year, about 25 students are selected for the program.
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