If you’re a high schooler interested in medicine and looking for practical experience in the field, consider an internship!
Medical internships can be a great way to start building an advanced skillset while still in high school. These programs often provide access to real clinical environments, research labs, and public health projects, enabling you to understand how healthcare works from the inside out.
You might shadow professionals, assist with basic procedures, contribute to research, or attend seminars, all while gaining clarity on your future goals in the field. New York City is uniquely positioned for students interested in medicine, with top hospitals, research institutions, and universities offering competitive internships each year.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 11 medical internships for high school students in NYC to help you get started on your medical journey.
11 Medical Internships for High School Students in NYC
1. Summer Student Program – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 14 years or older by June, have a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects, are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and live within 25 miles of the main campus
The Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering offers a chance to step into the world of biomedical research for eight weeks during the summer. If selected, you’ll work on an independent research project in a real MSK lab, under the guidance of experienced mentors who help you build technical and analytical skills. These projects are closely tied to cutting-edge cancer research and may fall under areas such as immunology, computational biology, pharmacology, or structural biology. Beyond the lab, you’ll also take part in enrichment activities designed to help you understand the broader context of medical research, including talks from scientists and clinical professionals.
2. Science Enrichment Program (SEP) – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: $4,200
Dates: November 15 – August 26
Application deadline: September 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who have completed a full year of biology courses and are members of groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science
At SEP by Memorial Sloan Kettering, you’ll spend the school year building your knowledge of cancer biology and essential lab techniques through after-school classes, and then dive into an 8-week summer internship with a research mentor. This program is accessible through teacher nominations via partner schools and lasts ten months, including academic sessions from November to June and intensive lab work in July and August. You’ll work directly with professional researchers on topics like molecular biology, computational biology, and immunology, and finish with a poster presentation of your findings. Alongside your research, the program includes assessments and opportunities for professional development.
3. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Rising sophomores through rising seniors who are New York City residents and attend school in NYC
The Bridge to Biostats Summer Program gives you the chance to explore the fields of data science and biostatistics through a structured, paid 6-week experience. This program targets students interested in STEM who have limited experience with statistics or programming. Participants will learn the fundamentals of statistical analysis, R programming, and research design through a hands-on cancer data project. In addition to technical training, students will receive mentorship from professional biostatisticians and attend workshops on academic skills, such as SAT prep. The program is especially dedicated to increasing access for students from underrepresented or underserved communities in science and medicine.
4. New York Bioforce
Location: Columbia University, NY
Stipend: Paid
Dates: May – August
Application deadline: February
Eligibility: Students attending NYC public high school during the academic school year who demonstrate economic or educational need based on set criteria
New York Bioforce is a combined training and internship program designed to prepare students like you for real-world roles in biomedical labs and biotech environments. During spring, you’ll participate in 100 hours of Saturday training sessions, covering lab techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy, along with soft skills like science communication and networking. After training, you’ll be placed in a paid, full-time six-week summer internship at labs in institutions such as Columbia, Weill Cornell, or biotech companies. You’ll complete around 120 hours of hands-on research under the mentorship of professionals, making this a valuable pathway to explore biomedical science before college.
5. The Rockefeller University Hospital – Summer Science Research Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, NY
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are age 16+ at program start
At Rockefeller University’s SSRP, you’ll be part of a research team exploring topics designed by scientists from prestigious institutions like Weill Cornell and Memorial Sloan Kettering. The program runs for seven weeks and is designed to simulate the dynamics of a real lab, with mentorship and collaborative projects. Once you’re placed on a team, you’ll spend the first week getting familiar with lab techniques before diving into a research question, analyzing data, and eventually presenting your findings. With only 32 students selected each year, it’s a tight-knit cohort, and each student receives direct guidance from PhD-level mentors and trainees. You’ll also take part in electives and workshops that broaden your view of what it means to do science in a professional setting.
6. Mount Sinai Center for Excellence in Youth Education – Medical and Scientific Exploration Program
Location: Virtual, with 3 mandatory in-person events (Orientation, ODI Fun Day, and Closing Ceremony)
Cost: No cost
Dates: July 1 – August 9 (tentative, based on previous cohort)
Application deadline: Starts late Fall
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in an NYC public school or charter school with a demonstrated interest in biomedical sciences, and belonging to an underrepresented minority group and/or are economically disadvantaged
This hybrid summer program combines online learning with scheduled in-person visits to the Mount Sinai Health System, providing an introduction to what careers in health and medicine actually entail. Each week, a new department leads you through a different aspect of biomedical science, whether that’s through case studies, virtual lab tours, or guided discussions. You’ll also delve into topics such as health disparities and fundamental biology, and explore how these concepts apply in real-world clinical or research contexts. While this program isn’t a formal internship, it gives students structured exposure to the medical field through case studies, virtual sessions, and discussions with healthcare professionals.
7. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics – Summer Internship
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NY
Cost: No cost; paid
Dates: 6 or 10-week program from June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
This full-time internship gives you the chance to explore pediatric medicine in-depth by placing you in one of Weill Cornell’s many pediatric-focused divisions. You may find yourself involved in clinical research on epilepsy, advocacy work related to child health policy, or educational projects focused on patient care. Each intern is matched with a division based on their interests and is supported by both staff and faculty mentors throughout the summer. Your day-to-day activities could include data collection, literature reviews, attending clinical rounds, or shadowing healthcare providers, depending on your placement.
8. Zuckerman Institute – Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Winter/Spring training + 7–10 weeks summer research
Application deadline: Applications typically open in October
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in New York City and enrolled in a partner school (preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx)
For those interested in neuroscience and eager to see how research is conducted in an actual academic lab, the BRAINYAC program at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute offers an immersive summer experience. Participants spend several weeks working closely with a Columbia neuroscientist mentor, engaging in a lab project, and acquiring foundational skills in experimental design, laboratory techniques, and data analysis. This isn’t just about observation; you’ll actively participate in the entire research process from beginning to end. The program features group sessions that help you develop lab skills and connect with fellow science enthusiasts. As a BRAINYAC participant, you join the Columbia research community, and former interns might qualify for ongoing involvement through fellowships or future opportunities.
9. NYU Langone – High School Medical Ethics Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by semester
Application deadline: Varies by semester
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in New York City
This two-week summer internship from NYU Langone’s Division of Medical Ethics is designed to introduce you to pressing ethical questions in health and science. You’ll meet for a few hours daily to explore topics like resource allocation, organ donation, clinical trials, or AI in healthcare — discussing real-world scenarios with professionals from fields including medicine, law, public health, and bioethics. Throughout the internship, you’ll complete short reading assignments, participate in group discussions, and submit reflective writing based on what you’ve learned. While not a hands-on clinical internship, this program immerses students in critical ethical issues in medicine and health, providing a strong foundation for future medical study.
10. Mount Sinai CEYE Internship Placement Program
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 1 – August 9 (tentative, based on previous cohort)
Application deadline: Starts late Fall
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade NYC high school students with a minimum GPA of 85 (strongly preferred) who belong to an underrepresented minority and/or are economically disadvantaged
Participating in Mount Sinai’s Center for Excellence in Youth Education Internship Placement Program allows you to explore hospital departments firsthand and learn directly from healthcare professionals. This in-person program places high school juniors and seniors in daily internships across different areas of the Mount Sinai Health System, depending on your track. Whether you’re assigned to neurology, neurosurgery, lab animal medicine, or a general hospital department, your experience includes research, clinical exposure, and mentorship. You’ll also take part in academic seminars, complete library-based projects, and attend sessions that address health disparities and equity in medicine. The structure is full-time, and each placement aims to connect you with the people, skills, and environments that shape medical careers.
11. BioBus Junior Scientist Internship
Location: Harlem and Lower East Side, NY
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Dates: Summer: July 7 – August 15 | Year-round: October 1 – June 15
Application deadline: March 24
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9–11 (specific criteria apply)
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship is geared toward NYC high school students from communities historically underrepresented in STEM, offering a mix of lab research and science outreach. If selected, you’ll work during the academic year (not just summer) under the guidance of professional scientists in BioBus’s community lab, using high-end microscopes and other research tools to conduct your own scientific investigation. Interns are expected to attend regular meetings, complete training, and present at poster sessions. In addition to designing and presenting your own project, you’ll also help teach science to younger students at public events. The program includes several internship pathways based on location or identity, such as the Harlem Women in STEM and Lower East Side tracks.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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