13 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in New York City
If you’re a high school student passionate about medicine, joining a summer medical program is a great way to delve deeper into the subject and gain experience. These programs let you work alongside professionals, sharpen your skills, and explore the latest developments in medicine. You’ll also meet mentors who can guide you and help you discover which path in medicine interests you most, whether it’s research, nursing, public health, or another field.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York is home to various hospitals, universities, and research centers that allow high school students to explore medicine and healthcare. These programs give you the chance to step into clinical and research settings, where you can learn directly from doctors, nurses, and scientists and gain experience through lab work, shadowing opportunities, and workshops. Whether you are a local or visiting the city, you can explore opportunities in NYC that help you build skills and prepare for future opportunities in the field.
Here, we have compiled 13 medical summer programs for high school students in New York City.
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend of at least $1000.
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 1–August 14 (10 weeks)
Eligibility: NYC students who will have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program are eligible to apply
The program starts with four weeks of training in lab safety, research skills, and college writing, and then continues with six weeks of hands-on research in over 80 NYU labs. You’ll work closely with faculty and researchers on science projects, gain about 120 hours of lab experience, and develop important skills like teamwork and public speaking. At the end of the program, you’ll have the chance to present your research at a colloquium and the AMNH Poster Symposium, giving you practical experience in STEM research and a glimpse into scientific careers.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Dates: Vary according to cohort
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 12 who have completed AI Scholars or have some experience with coding
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. 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.
3. Rockefeller University: Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Need-based stipends may be available
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+ by the program’s start)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University allows high school students to explore advanced biomedical research. You’ll work alongside experienced university scientists on projects in genetics, molecular biology, and neuroscience, gaining lab experience. The program also includes optional science classes, talks by leading researchers, social activities, and group discussions to connect with peers and mentors. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research at a symposium, sharing your findings with the Rockefeller community and experiencing what it’s like to contribute to professional scientific research.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Dates: Varies as per the type of program and cohort
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students
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. You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, biology, and more.
5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre main campus, Manhattan, NYC, NY
Cost: Free with $1,200 stipend
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the main Manhattan campus of MSK Cancer Centre, and are authorised to work in the U.S.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Summer Student Program (SSP) is an eight-week paid research internship for high school students who are passionate about biomedical science and translational cancer research. As a participant, you’ll join a research lab at MSK and work closely with a mentor to gain hands-on experience in areas like cancer biology, immunology, genomics, imaging, pharmacology, and drug development. You’ll attend lab meetings, develop your technical and analytical skills, and complete an independent research project that supports your lab’s ongoing work. By the end of the program, you’ll have valuable research experience and a deeper understanding of how scientific discoveries translate into advances in cancer treatment.
6. BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Cost: Free with a $2,600 stipend
Dates: Late June – August
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students in the Bronx who are at least 16 and are entering the 11th and 12th grades in the fall
The program offers you the chance to explore biomedical and cancer research through direct mentorship from Einstein faculty. During the program, you’ll take part in lab research, attend workshops and seminars focused on professional and scientific skill development, and prepare a research presentation to share with faculty members. You’ll also get to learn from MECCC faculty, students, and postdocs during weekly seminars. In addition to the summer research experience, you can join the optional after-school program from September through May, where you’ll continue building your research skills through interactive scientific discussions and activities.
7. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: NASA centres across the country
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend
Dates: Varies depending on the semester
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27 and Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizen and full-time student, have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), minimum age of 16 years at the time of application
During the NASA program, you’ll work alongside scientists, engineers, and other professionals on projects that can range from space life sciences and bioinformatics to climate research and physical sciences. You'll gain skills such as using lab equipment, analysing data, and conducting experiments. You’ll also attend workshops, seminars, and mentorship sessions that help you understand how research is done, explore different STEM careers, and develop professional skills. By the end of the internship, you may have the opportunity to present your findings and share your work with mentors and peers.
8. Columbia University’s THE HEIGHTS Program
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 with good academic performance and high aptitude and interest in science | Local applicants and participants of any HICCC/Columbia University-related events or activities are given preference.
During the program, you’ll work closely with researchers and physicians on cancer-related projects, gaining lab experience and scientific training. You’ll have the chance to conduct your own independent research project or contribute to your mentor’s ongoing work. Along with lab research, you’ll take part in weekly journal clubs where you’ll read and discuss cancer biology papers with your peers, develop your presentation and writing skills, and learn how to communicate scientific findings. In your second summer, you’ll present your research through a formal oral presentation, giving you valuable experience in professional science communication.
9. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost except for residents, dorm fee $2,360.25 + additional meal costs (~$500+) / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors, at least 16 years old at program start | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a six-week summer internship for high school juniors interested in exploring careers in science, math, or engineering. During the program, you’ll work closely with Stony Brook faculty mentors on independent research projects in advanced university labs. You’ll gain hands-on experience with lab techniques, attend seminars, and join workshops and field trips that deepen your understanding of scientific research. Along the way, you’ll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, build connections with peers and researchers, and get a real taste of what it’s like to work in a professional STEM environment.
10. Health Professions Mentorship Program (HPMP)--CUNY School of Medicine
Location: The City University of New York’s School of Medicine, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: TBA; the program is conducted over two years, including two four-week summer sessions
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors with an overall minimum GPA of 80
The Health Professions Mentorship Program (HPMP) at the CUNY School of Medicine is a two-year program that starts in your junior year of high school. It begins with a four-week summer session in July, followed by monthly Saturday classes during the school year. Through the program, you’ll be mentored by Sophie Davis faculty and medical students while working on a community-based project that tackles real healthcare challenges in New York City. You’ll take part in seminars and problem-solving sessions designed to strengthen your collaboration and decision-making skills. The Saturday sessions also give you a chance to explore different healthcare professions, practice clinical case analysis, prepare for college admissions, and get guidance for SAT/ACT exams and mock interviews.
11. Columbia University’s BrainSTORM
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: June in the first year to May in the following year
Application deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students
The BrainSTORM program at Columbia University is a selective two-part experience for high school students passionate about neuroscience and research. Each year, 25 students are chosen to attend monthly seminars from September to May, where they learn from Columbia faculty about topics such as dementia, genetics, neuro-critical care, and neuropsychological testing. In the summer, you’ll join the mentorship phase, working with a research mentor on a neuroscience project either in person, online, or in a hybrid format. The program ends with a research symposium and poster presentation, giving you the chance to share your findings and gain experience presenting scientific work.
12. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (SURE-CAN)
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free, with additional financial support offered to a limited number of applicants
Dates: June 26 – August 7
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 15 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and residents of Western NY counties of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua, living within commuting distance to Roswell Park
The Roswell Park High School Summer Research Program gives you a chance to dive into cancer research while being mentored by experts in the field. Throughout the program, you’ll gain experience in a lab and learn how math, physics, and engineering come together with biology to tackle cancer-related questions. With your mentor’s support, you’ll design your own independent research project and present your findings at a final symposium. The program also includes lessons on key topics like cancer science fundamentals, AI in research, basic statistics, and research ethics.
13. Columbia University Pre-College program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $6,310
Dates: June 30-July 18 (Session 1), July 22-August 8 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: Typically opens in mid-November
Eligibility: Open to all high school students. Students need to be at least 16 years old if they are opting for the residential program
In this course, you’ll join daily seminars where lecturers talk about the latest chemistry research, followed by group discussions and lab work to explore the ideas hands-on. During the program, you’ll take part in discussions, and by the end, you’ll complete a short research project and write a scientific paper, giving you practical experience in both experiments and presenting your findings.
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