Medical internship programs for high school students are vital for filling the growing demand for STEM careers.
With an expected growth of 10.8% in STEM jobs by 2032 and a forecast of two million unfilled positions due to a skills gap, these internships provide essential training and exposure.
These programs not only lead to the higher salaries typical of STEM jobs, which are often much higher than those in non-STEM fields, but they also help tackle the problem of underrepresentation of women and minorities in these areas. Let’s check out some internships designed for high school students.
Below, we’ll explore the top 20 best summer medical internships for high school students. If you're a high schooler interested in healthcare, these programs offer valuable hands-on experience.
Location - Cincinnati, OH
Program Length - Eight weeks
Cost - Paid internship, $13 per hour
Eligibility - Open to Cincinnati-area graduating seniors
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - February 1
The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is an opportunity for graduating high school seniors in the Cincinnati area. Participants work 20 hours per week alongside mentors in various pediatric specialties.
This paid, part-time position is for local seniors interested in pursuing higher education in Biomedical Sciences. It's a competitive program designed for motivated students looking to explore careers in medicine and research.
Location - Various NIH campuses
Program Length - Usually eight weeks
Cost - Stipend provided, amount varies
Eligibility - Juniors or seniors, age 17 or older
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - February 16 (February 23 for reference letters)
The High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers full-time research positions for high school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare and research careers. Participants work in various fields at NIH campuses, including Bethesda, MD.
Location - Pittsburgh, PA
Program Length - Six weeks (starting June 17)
Cost - Free for eligible participants
Eligibility - Rising high school juniors and seniors in southwest Pennsylvania
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - January 31
Join the Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program for a six-week opportunity to study reproductive biology, women's health, and infant health research.
Under the guidance of MWRI investigators, students work on research projects, attend informative lunch-and-learn sessions, and present their findings at the annual High School Internship Presentation Day.
Location - Palm Beach and Martin County, FL
Program Length - Six weeks (June 17 to July 26)
Cost - Paid internship, $12.50 per hour
Eligibility - Rising juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - March 4
Through the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship, high school juniors and seniors can get hands-on experience in neuroscience.
This program pairs students with MPFI researchers to explore brain structure, function, and development, as well as advanced imaging techniques. Participants conduct research projects, write scientific abstracts, and give presentations.
Location - Oakland, CA (Various medical offices across Northern California)
Program Length - Seven weeks (June 17 to August 2)
Cost - Paid internship varies between $15.50 and $18 per hour
Eligibility - Ages 16-19 by June 1, low-income or from underrepresented backgrounds in healthcare
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - January 2
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides internship opportunities for high school and college students. It offers valuable employment experiences in the healthcare field, particularly for underserved, underrepresented, and low-income individuals.
During the summer months, interns have the chance to work across different departments within the organization. This initiative helps interns learn and grow while also supporting KP's goal to offer high-quality, affordable healthcare.
Location - Aurora, CO
Program Length - Nine weeks (June 3 to August 2)
Cost - Stipend provided, $3,500
Eligibility - Rising high school seniors, Colorado residents
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - February 1
The University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado team up to offer one of the best hospital internships for high school students. It's for high school seniors (18+), college, graduate, and first-year medical students.
You get to do hands-on work in labs and work closely with experts in child health research. It's a great start for anyone interested in exploring health research.
Location - Seattle, WA
Program Length - Eight weeks (June 24 to August 16)
Cost - Paid internship, stipend provided
Eligibility - Rising seniors with backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - March 31
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) offers a unique chance for 11th and 12th-grade participants who are keen on science. This eight-week paid opportunity focuses on bringing diverse backgrounds into the scientific field.
Participants start with two weeks of lab safety training. Then, for six weeks, they join a research team in Seattle, getting hands-on experience. They also attend seminars, workshops about college and careers, and enjoy social events.
Location - Boston and Cambridge, MA
Program Length - Six weeks (July 8 to August 16)
Cost - Paid internship, stipend provided
Eligibility - Rising juniors and seniors from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups in medicine
Start Date - July
Application Deadline - February 2
Project Success: Opening the Door to Biomedical Careers is a program specifically for high school students from Boston and Cambridge. It's designed for those who are underrepresented in medicine or face disadvantages.
The program offers paid summer research internships at Harvard Medical School and affiliated institutions. Students also attend seminars, workshops, and site visits while receiving career guidance from faculty. The goal is to introduce students to biomedical research and set them up for success in the field.
Location - Milwaukee, WI
Program Length - Six weeks (June 24 to August 2)
Cost - Free, stipend provided
Eligibility - Milwaukee-area students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in medicine
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - March 1
The Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM) program is designed for Milwaukee high school students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds in health sciences.
AIM provides engaging experiences that get students excited about careers in medicine, biomedical research, and allied health. They offer support to students who aim for these fields, contributing to greater diversity in healthcare.
Location - Stanford, CA
Program Length - Six weeks (June 17 to July 26)
Cost - Free, stipend provided
Eligibility - Rising high school juniors and seniors living in Northern California
Start Date - June
Application Deadline - February 26
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford is a six-week opportunity tailored for rising juniors and seniors in Northern California. It aims to introduce students to the world of science, medicine, and research by exploring science, medicine, and research careers.
Location - Chicago, IL
Program Length - Nine weeks
Cost - $8,600 (Immersion), $6,350 (Pre-College Connect), $14,000 (Research in the Biological Sciences and Stones and Bones)
Eligibility - High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors currently enrolled in high school and aged 14 years or older
Start Date - June 10
Application Deadline - May 12
The University of Chicago's Summer Session is an opportunity for high school students worldwide. With a wide range of programs covering different subjects, it aims to spark curiosity and critical thinking. Students are encouraged to explore new ideas, explore their interests, and discuss topics beyond their regular school studies.
Location - University City in Philadelphia, PA
Program Length - One week
Cost - $10,495
Eligibility - Grades 11th to 12th
Start Date - June 30
Application Deadline - January 31 (Pre-College Programs), February 15 (Summer Academies and Penn Summer Prep Program)
The University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine offers a four-week summer program designed for high school juniors and seniors who are passionate about medicine. The program includes real first-year Penn Med classes, practical sessions, and simulations.
Students live on campus in University City, Philadelphia, and enjoy dorm life and hands-on sessions. It's an opportunity for students to explore their medical interests and college life simultaneously.
Location - San Francisco, CA
Program Length - Five weeks
Cost - Free
Eligibility - Low-income, first-generation high school juniors in Northern California.
Start Date - June 24
Application Deadline - March 15
The SMYSP is a five-week program designed for low-income, first-generation high school juniors in Northern California. Participants explore science and medicine with mentorship from professionals and college students. The program is tuition-free and aims to help students start their journey toward healthcare careers.
Location - San Francisco, CA
Program Length - One week
Cost - $4,000
Eligibility - Students must be at least 15 years old at the start date of CASP.
Start Date
Session 1: June 24
Session 2: July 8
Application Deadline - March 8
The CASP at Stanford University is for high school students interested in medical and health-related careers. This week-long course introduces students to human anatomy through lectures, hands-on lab activities, surgical demonstrations, and workshops with physicians. It's a great chance to learn from experts and explore the medical field firsthand.
Location - San Diego, CA
Program Length - Two weeks
Cost - $3,000
Eligibility - High-school age students
Start Date - Multiple dates
Application Deadline - Multiple dates
The RCHSD Medical Academy programs are designed to help students interested in healthcare careers learn and grow. Led by healthcare professionals, these programs offer hands-on skills training and interactive learning experiences. It's a great opportunity for students to explore healthcare and develop essential skills for their future careers.
Location - Boston, MA
Program Length - One week
Cost - $2,650
Eligibility - Students must be in grades 10th, 11th, or 12th or graduating high school seniors.
Start Date - Session 1: June 10, Session 2: June 17, Session 3: June 24, Session 4: July 8, Session 5: July 15, Session 6: July 22, Session 7: July 29, Session 8: August 5, Session 9: August 12
Application Deadline - March 25
HMS MEDscience brings learning to life. Students tackle simulated medical emergencies, learn critical thinking and teamwork, and boost their communication and problem-solving skills. The program offers semester-long, week-long, and short courses that make learning engaging and fun. It’s all about preparing students for real-world challenges.
Location - Greater Wellesley, Waltham, BOS
Program Length - Three Weeks
Cost - $2,097
Eligibility - Students must have completed Honors, AP, or IB science and math courses in high school with a minimum grade of B+ and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or attend a competitive admissions school.
Start Date - Session 1: June 24, Session 2: July 1, Session 3: July 15, Remote: July 8
Application Deadline - May 15
The Biomedical and Surgical Research program immerses students in surgery. In three weeks, they learn surgical knots and practice mock surgeries. They begin with basics and advance to the circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and skeletal systems.
They perform mock surgeries, like cataracts and gastric bypass. It's a competitive, hands-on program for teens interested in advanced medicine.
Location - San Francisco, CA
Program Length - Nine weeks
Cost - Free
Eligibility - High school juniors or seniors with one year of math and biology or current undergraduates. Students must be 16 or older by June 1st of the program year.
Start Date - May 26
Application Deadline - February 16
In this program, participants are paired with mentors to work on unique research projects, which vary based on the assigned mentor.
Participants attend weekly seminars and meetings led by MDs and PhDs from UCSF and other regional healthcare systems. A weekly journal club allows participants to discuss scientific papers. The program also includes fun social activities organized by the leaders.
Location - Research Triangle Park, NC
Program Length - Six to eight weeks
Cost - Free
Eligibility - You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, aged 17 or older by June 15, 2024, and enrolled as a junior or senior in high school. If under 18 by June 15, you must live within 40 miles of the NIH campus where you'll intern.
Start Date - July 2
Application Deadline - February 16
This program is for high school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare and research. They'll work on research projects at the NIH, mostly in Bethesda, MD. Students are chosen by a committee and work with top researchers. They shouldn't contact researchers themselves. The focus is on science, from biology to computer science, and is all about research, not office work.
Location - Atlanta, GA
Program Length - Five days
Cost - Free
Eligibility - Applicants must be sophomores or juniors, and 16 years old by the camp's first day to meet CDC safety rules.
Start Date - June 24 and July 22
Application Deadline - March 22
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is a summer camp at the CDC in Atlanta for high school juniors and seniors. It dives into public health topics like epidemiology and emergency preparedness.
The camp is fast-paced and hands-on, turning students into disease detectives. Applicants need to be 16 and COVID-19 vaccinated. It's a firsthand look into the public health world!
Let's take a look at some commonly asked questions about medical internships for high school students.
No, medical internships don't usually ask high schoolers for prior medical experience. They're meant to introduce the field of medicine, teaching the basics and giving a taste of what a medical career could look like.
In these internships, students learn about a range of topics, from understanding human anatomy to exploring complex medical procedures. They also develop key skills such as critical thinking, communication, and teamwork, which are crucial in healthcare.
Medical internships stand out because they're all about hands-on experience. Instead of just learning from books, students get to see medical professionals at work, participate in activities like simulations, and sometimes even get involved in caring for patients, all under close supervision. This practical approach provides a unique insight into the medical world.
Getting into a medical internship as a high schooler is a smart move. These programs, from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to NIH, offer a real taste of healthcare and look great on your college application.
With just 20% of high school graduates prepared for college-level STEM, these internships are vital. They help create a diverse, skilled workforce, closing the skills gap and boosting diversity in STEM careers. This ensures that the workforce is equipped to meet future demands.
In general, summer programs like these are valuable for students looking to explore their interests and gain valuable experience.
Check out our pre-med summer program directory to explore more opportunities. It’s a handy resource because it lists a variety of programs in one place, making it easier for students and parents to find the right opportunities based on their interests and goals.
