If you’re thinking about studying medicine in college but want to explore college-level academics before committing to an undergraduate program, joining a pre-college program in high school can help you get a clear picture of what the field looks like. These programs let you explore human biology, medical research, and clinical practices before you even start college.
You’ll get to work with healthcare professionals, attend lectures, visit labs, and sometimes even shadow doctors. Some programs focus on public health or biomedical research, while others are designed to show you what it’s like to study in a med school environment.
Adding this kind of hands-on experience to your CV or college application shows you’ve already taken steps to explore the field in depth. To get started, here is a list of 15 pre-college medical programs for high school students!
15 Pre-College Medical Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites; more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers a trimester-long research program for high school students interested in medicine and health sciences. You can choose subject tracks like medical sociology, neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases, protein biophysics, gene editing and CRISPR, or machine learning in biotechnology. Horizon lets you pick between qualitative and quantitative research based on your interest.
Once you choose a track, you’re matched with a professor or PhD researcher from a top university. Over 12 weeks, you’ll meet one-on-one to design and complete a 20-page research paper. You’ll learn how to build a research question, review academic literature, use research tools, and structure your findings for publication.
You’ll also get a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback. Apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medicine Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starts at $2990. Financial aid is available
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring cohort from March to June
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for Summer Cohort II is June 23
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. Note: Students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor. You’ll choose a topic in areas like medicine, neuroscience, health science, or life sciences.
During the program, you’ll learn how to design a research question, build a literature review, collect and analyze data, and write a full research paper. Past students have worked on topics such as brain-computer interfaces, vaccine equity, neurodegenerative diseases, and public health systems.
By the end, you’ll complete an independent research paper with detailed feedback from your mentor. You can also request a letter of recommendation based on your work.
3. Harvard Pre-College Program: Introduction to Medicine
Location: Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3, Session II: July 6 – July 18, Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
Harvard’s Pre-College Program in Medicine gives you a hands-on introduction to how doctors understand and treat disease. You will use virtual anatomy tools, study real case files, and work through medical problems like a physician. The program focuses on how the human body responds to illness and how doctors make diagnostic decisions.
You will learn to read and analyze peer-reviewed medical studies, explore how doctors build a list of possible diagnoses, and use biology to explain symptoms. The program also includes sessions on medical ethics and healthcare systems. In your final project, you will present a diagnosis for a case study and explain your reasoning using both science and ethics.
4. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online
Cost: $3,050
Dates: Two-week sessions in June and July.
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Grades 8–11
In Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Medicine and Health Care course, you’ll study global health systems and real medical cases. You’ll use virtual dissection tools and take part in small group discussions to learn how doctors understand and respond to health problems.
You’ll work on projects that look at past and present health crises. You’ll also study how clinical trials are designed and how hospitals collect and use patient data. The program focuses on scientific writing, and you’ll practice building strong, evidence-based arguments about public health topics.
At the end, you can submit an optional portfolio where you build a diagnosis model and suggest a treatment plan for patients in low-resource settings.
5. Georgetown Medical Academy
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Commuter: 3,025, Residential: $3,905
Dates: June and July
Application Deadline: January 31st (Early Bird) and May 15th (Final)
Eligibility: Ages 13–18
Georgetown Medical Academy’s Introduction to Clinical Medicine teaches you the basics of working in a clinical setting. You’ll learn how to suture, check vital signs, and do basic diagnostic exams. The program includes medical simulations, lab work, and hands-on training in common procedures.
You’ll practice writing medical notes, use electronic health records, and learn SOAP note format. You’ll study real patient cases, interpret lab results, and build communication skills through role-play exercises. You’ll also get an introduction to pharmacology and take part in emergency drills like code-blue simulations.
6. Penn Medicine Summer Program
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,875
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Grades 10–11
In this Penn medical program, you’ll work with faculty on advanced biology labs and clinical workshops. You’ll study real hospital cases, join research symposiums, and complete a capstone project based on your lab or clinical work. You’ll get trained in research methods, brain tissue dissection, and neuroimaging tools.
Sessions cover clinical trial design, neurological diagnosis using simulations, and the ethics of human research. You’ll also lead group case discussions and attend seminars on neurodegenerative diseases. At the end, you’ll present your research poster to Penn faculty and medical mentors.
7. Tufts Mini-Med School
Location: Tufts University, Medford / Somerville Campus, Boston Health Sciences Campus
Cost: Residential: $4,550; Commuter: $3,525
Dates: Session 1 (Commuter Only): Jun 23 – 27; Session 2: Jul 6 – 18; Session 3: Jul 20 – 27
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11-12
At Tufts Mini-Med School, you’ll work with real-world medical cases and observe clinical simulations. You’ll learn how doctors make fast decisions in emergency settings and study topics like disease outbreaks, ER operations, and healthcare systems.
You’ll use diagnostic tools, flowcharts, and databases to plan treatments. Workshops include rapid response drills and ethical case debates. You’ll also study how public health guidelines are made and review CDC protocols.
In your final simulation, you’ll manage a critical patient case by working with different types of medical data. You’ll take part in a decision-making module where you adjust diagnoses based on changing symptoms. You’ll also explore careers in trauma surgery, emergency medicine, and epidemiology through sessions with Tufts clinicians.
8. Columbia University Summer Immersion – Human Anatomy & Disease
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $2,574 per credit. Additional fees (health and service charges) vary by credit load.
Dates: Session A runs from May 26 to July 4, and Session B from July 7 to August 15.
Application Deadline: Varies based on session dates and student status
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Columbia University Summer Immersion – Human Anatomy & Disease explores how illness impacts the body from the cellular to the systemic level. Through simulations and collaborative projects, you’ll interpret diagnostic scans, track symptoms, and distinguish between acute and chronic conditions.
You’ll analyze peer-reviewed medical studies and apply them to real-world case reviews. Guest lectures from medical experts provide insight into evolving clinical practices. You’ll use cellular imaging tools to link microscopic findings with patient symptoms and refine your differential diagnosis skills.
9. Brown University Pre-College – STEM for Health Careers
Location: Providence, RI
Cost: Varies based on program duration and format (on-campus or hybrid), ranging from $3,000 to $17,000
Dates: July 13 to 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Students completing grades 8 to 9, ages 13 to 15 by June 15
STEM for Rising 9th & 10th Graders, offered by Brown University Pre-College, introduces you to the intersection of science, data, and public health. You’ll develop core lab skills like pipetting and molecular testing, while learning how to interpret real clinical trial data.
Through interactive epidemiology simulations, you’ll explore how public health crises unfold and how interventions are designed. The program emphasizes collaborative work as you design solutions for challenges like vaccine access and rural healthcare delivery.
10. UCLA Pre-Med Summer Scholars Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $1,450
Dates: Runs in two sessions: June 23–27 and July 7–11
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending high school in the United States
UCLA Pre-Med Summer Scholar Program offers an immersive experience into the world of medicine through high-intensity simulations and hands-on labs. You’ll step into the role of a medical professional as you participate in ER scenarios, conduct trauma assessments, and practice basic life support protocols.
Using digital diagnostic tools and PACS imaging systems, you’ll analyze radiographs and identify clinical abnormalities. The program includes lab modules on drawing IV lines (with practice arms), measuring vitals, and interpreting patient data.
11. NYU Precollege: Health and Medicine Track
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Depends on credits, with tuition ranging from $700 to $15,000+, plus fees around $6,500–$7,000 for housing, activities, and international charges
Dates: Summer Program: July 2 – August 13; Fall program: September 2 to December 11
Application Deadline: Summer program, March 17 (international) and June 16 (general)
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
In NYU’s Precollege Health and Medicine track, you’ll explore how genetics, environment, and culture shape health outcomes. You’ll work in labs and on field-based research projects. You’ll study health behavior using ethnographic tools and analyze how environmental factors affect genes.
You’ll run DNA sequencing simulations and study inherited disease risks in the genetics lab. You’ll also work with public health datasets to build visual reports and maps. During a public health emergency drill, you’ll design a response plan for underserved communities. You’ll end the program by presenting your research to NYU faculty and health professionals.
12. University of Chicago – EYES on Cancer
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: This is a free, grant-funded research program for high school and college students, with no tuition fee
Dates: Two-year program with summer research (June–August) and year-round monthly sessions.
Application Deadline: In late January or early February for the upcoming summer
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, and college freshmen or sophomores at the time of application.
In EYES on Cancer at the University of Chicago, you’ll spend eight weeks immersed in hands-on cancer research under the mentorship of UChicago faculty. Through full-time lab placements, you’ll explore topics like tumor biology, genetics, and immunotherapy, while developing essential research skills.
The program includes weekly seminars, skill-building workshops, and social events that connect you with scientists and peers. You’ll also prepare and present a research poster at a closing symposium, gaining real-world experience in scientific communication.
13. Boston University – Academic Immersion: Introduction to Medicine
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: $5,370, plus fees and $1,800 for optional housing.
Dates: July 1–July 26
Application Deadline: No set deadline; early applications are encouraged as spots fill quickly.
Eligibility: Grades 10–12
In the Introduction to Medicine at Boston University, you’ll explore the foundations of modern medicine through immersive labs, lectures, and project-based learning. You’ll work with molecular biology and immunology tools to interpret lab data and investigate real-world medical cases.
You’ll also participate in discussions on emerging healthcare technologies and ethical dilemmas in medical innovation. Interactive sessions guide you through clinical decision-making, patient communication, and research-based inquiry. You’ll use patient simulation software to practice diagnostics and develop treatment plans.
14. Northwestern University – College Prep: Bioscience Research
Location: Evanston, IL
Cost: Tuition is $5,597 for CPP Credit programs and $2,600 for IN FOCUS (commuter).
Dates: July 14 – August 03
Application Deadline: April 03
Eligibility: Grades 10–12
In Northwestern’s Bioscience Research program, you’ll design and run your lab project. You’ll build a testable hypothesis, track your results in a lab notebook, and use microbiology and pharmacology tools to analyze data.
You’ll grow bacterial cultures, work with CRISPR models, and run pharmacokinetic simulations. You’ll also explore how biology connects with technology in biomedical engineering labs.
Faculty will guide you in research design, scientific writing, and data analysis. You’ll practice peer review, learn how to write basic grant proposals, and present your research in a final symposium.
15. Johns Hopkins – Summer Pre-College Program in Medicine
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost: Ranges from $1,950 to $6,140 based on format and number of sessions.
Dates: Offers three two-week sessions: June 23–July 4, July 7–18, and July 21–August 1
Application Deadline: February 01
Eligibility: Grades 10–12 (Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
At Johns Hopkins, you’ll explore medical science through labs, research, and clinical simulations. You’ll study how diseases spread, how surgical tools work, and how diagnostics like imaging and biotech are used.
You’ll learn CRISPR basics, run infection tracking simulations, and work through case studies in global health. You’ll use laparoscopic tools and try mock endoscopy in simulation labs.
You’ll build a capstone project with your team, focused on a health problem and a real solution, like a new public health tool or medical device. You’ll present it to Johns Hopkins faculty and med-tech entrepreneurs in a final pitch session.
Image source – Johns Hopkins University