11 Best Medical Programs for High School Students
Participating in a medical program during high school can be a game-changer for ambitious students aiming for top-tier universities. These programs offer invaluable experience, advanced knowledge, and a taste of the medical field, helping you stand out in college applications. Not only do they bolster your academic resume, but they also provide a head start in understanding the demands and rewards of a career in medicine.
By immersing yourself in these programs, you'll gain valuable insights into medical science, develop critical thinking skills, and build a network with like-minded peers and professionals. This invaluable exposure lets you confirm your passion for medicine early on and demonstrate your commitment to admissions committees.
In this blog, we will cover the ten best medical programs for high school students! Whether you’re looking to explore different medical disciplines or dive deep into specific areas, these programs offer unparalleled opportunities for growth and learning.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Each summer, 100 of the world’s most accomplished high school students gather at MIT for the Research Science Institute (RSI). This prestigious, cost-free program blends on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus research in science and technology.
During the first week, you’ll take intensive STEM classes and attend seminars on current research topics. The core of RSI is a five-week research internship where you’ll conduct an individual project under the guidance of experienced mentors. You’ll read current literature, create a research plan, and present your findings in both written and oral reports.
If you are interested in applying to RSI, you can look at our blog which covers this program in detail!
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dates: June 23 to August 3, 2024
Application Deadline: December 13, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s deadlines).
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising High School Seniors. It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34.
2. Veritas AI: Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
The Veritas AI Deep Dive is a 10-week online course designed for ambitious students like you who are interested in the intersection of AI and medicine. The program runs from June to August, with sessions every Sunday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM EST. In this program, you will learn how AI transforms healthcare, work on projects diagnosing diseases, and sharpen medical scans using AI models.
Over the first two weeks, you’ll be introduced to AI and its applications in medicine. Weeks 3 to 5 cover key topics such as medical data preparation, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and Convolutional Neural Networks. In the final weeks, you’ll delve into more complex subjects like image segmentation, regularization, transfer learning, and the fundamentals of clinical evaluation.
Do note that to participate, you need to have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python.
Location: Online
Dates: June 9 to August 11, 2024, with sessions every Sunday
Application Deadline: May 19, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Cost: $1790
Eligibility: Open to any student from Grade 8-12 who has either completed the AI Scholars program or has had experience in coding.
3.Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024 for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024 for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here!
4. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week, tuition-free summer program for current high school juniors in Northern California from low-income, first-generation backgrounds. Held on Stanford’s campus from June to July, this immersive program is designed to expose you to health science and medicine.
At SMYSP, you’ll join a group of passionate peers, learning intensively about various medical fields. You’ll be mentored by medical professionals, faculty, and college students, providing you with guidance and support as you explore your interest in medicine. The program also focuses on building a supportive community, helping you develop a network that can be invaluable as you pursue higher education and a medical career.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out this blog that gives you 7 reasons to apply to SMYSP!
Location: Northern California
Dates: June 24 to July 26, 2024
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)>
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Northern California
5. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a prestigious seven-week summer research program for highly qualified high school juniors and seniors. Running from June to August, this program offers an immersive research experience with experienced faculty across various disciplines.
As a Clark Scholar, you'll have hands-on research opportunities, participate in social activities, and attend weekly seminars. The program covers on-campus meals, room and board, and weekend activities, though you’ll need to cover your travel, personal, and medical expenses. An added bonus is the $750 stipend you will receive after successful completion!
If you are interested in applying, you can look at our blog that covers it in detail here!
Location: Texas Tech University
Dates: June 16 to August 1, 2024
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in 2024 or 2025 (U.S. and International)
6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week summer internship at Stanford University. Running from June to August, SIMR offers hands-on research experience under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers.
You’ll get to choose from eight different research areas within the Institutes of Medicine and potentially participate in a bioengineering boot camp. This program not only helps you dive deep into biological sciences and medicine and shows you how scientific research is performed.
While there are no program fees, you must cover your travel and personal expenses. Do note that the selection process favors local Bay Area students.
You can learn more about this program through this blog!
Location: Stanford University
Dates: June 10 to August 1, 2024
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age are eligible.
7. Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
Join MITES Summer, a six-week on-campus program at MIT that immerses you in the life of a STEM student. From late June to early August, you’ll take five rigorous courses in math, science, and humanities, and participate in lab tours, social events, and college admissions counseling.
Eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a high school junior. All program-related costs are covered, except for transportation to and from MIT.
You’ll engage in daily classes, recitations, workshops, and tours, and spend evenings and weekends exploring the Greater Boston area. Past electives have included topics like architecture, engineering design, and machine learning.
By the end of the program, you’ll gain firsthand insights into STEM careers, develop academic and personal skills, and receive a written evaluation from your instructor. This experience is perfect for deepening your knowledge, preparing for college, and building lifelong friendships. Applications open during the fall semester of your junior year.
We’ve covered this blog in detail which you can check out here!
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dates: Late June to Early August
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
8. HOPP Summer Student Program
The Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers a fantastic eight-week summer research opportunity for high school students passionate about science. Running from June to August, this program lets you engage in hands-on laboratory techniques and conduct independent research projects under the mentorship of experienced scientists.
During the program, you’ll delve into translational research, attend training sessions and tours, and present your findings at a poster session. Upon completion, you’ll receive a stipend. This experience is invaluable for anyone eager to explore a future in clinical and translational research.
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Dates: June 27 to August 22, 2024
Application Deadline: February 9, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Cost: Free
Eligibility:
Completion of at least the 9th grade by June 2024
Must be 14 or older by June 27, 2024
A genuine interest in science and laboratory research
3.5 GPA in science subjects
The Penn Summer Biomedical Research Academy is a three-week, fully residential program held at the University of Pennsylvania. This academy introduces you to the experimental basis of cellular, molecular, and genetic aspects of biology, with a focus on their relevance to diseases.
During the program, you’ll attend daily lectures by scientists, clinicians, and faculty, covering topics like genome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas-9, vaccines, and antibiotic resistance. You’ll also join a journal club to discuss peer-reviewed research articles and learn how to read, interpret, and critique primary research under the guidance of Penn researchers or faculty.
In the lab, you’ll perform molecular biology experiments using techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and bacterial transformation. You’ll determine your own blood type, investigate gene expression in bacteria, and analyze a mock disease outbreak.
Location: Philadelphia
Dates: June 6 to July 27, 2024
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Cost: $9700
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students
10. Rady Children’s Hospital Summer Medical Academy
The Summer Medical Academy (SMA) at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego is designed for students aged 15-19 who are passionate about pursuing a career in healthcare.
During the program, you’ll engage in hands-on healthcare experiences, learn from professionals, and participate in service activities. This immersive experience is perfect for deepening your understanding of the medical field and enhancing your college applications.
This opportunity is ideal for motivated students eager to explore healthcare careers in a supportive, real-world environment.
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego
Dates: Session 1: June 17-28, 2024; Session 2: July 8-19, 2024
Application Deadline: Late February
Cost: $3000
Eligibility: You must be 15-19 years old in June of the program year and have completed 9th grade.
11. Michigan State University High School Honors Science/Engineering/Mathematics Program (HSHSP)
The High School Honors Science/Mathematics/Engineering Program (HSHSP) at Michigan State University is a seven-week summer research program for motivated students entering 12th grade. This program, running since 1958, allows you to conduct intensive research while living on a major research university campus.
Held at Michigan State University, HSHSP allows you to engage in research across various scientific, engineering, and mathematical disciplines. During the program, you'll work on independent research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. The final output will be a fully developed research project on a topic of your choice!
We’ve covered this blog in detail which you can look at over here!
Location: Michigan State University
Dates: June 16 – August 3, 2024
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Cost: $4,000
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from across the U.S.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of medicine, consider applying to Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Program!
AI + Medicine: Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine program, 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. Here is the program brochure and the application form.