If you’re a high school student curious about cardiology, joining a summer program is a great way to explore the field. Cardiology summer programs for high school students allow you to learn how the heart and cardiovascular system work, while fitting into your summer break. You’ll gain hands-on experience, explore various careers in heart health, and build connections. Hosted by universities and research centers, these programs will introduce you to the basics of cardiovascular medicine and offer exposure to both research and clinical environments.
Many cardiology summer programs for high school students also include hands-on activities, such as CPR/AED training and point-of-care ultrasound, to help you build practical skills. You’ll work with cardiologists or other healthcare professionals who can offer advice and insight. You’ll also get to connect and work with other students while building a solid foundation in both experience and your portfolio, which can support your college applications and future career planning.
Here are 15 cardiology summer programs for high school students you can explore.
15 Cardiology Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Around 10-25%
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year; The summer cohort typically runs for 12 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted minimum 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to undertake an independent research project under the guidance of a PhD mentor. The program includes research method workshops and help with writing a full-length research paper. Some possible subjects include biology, chemistry, physics, math, data science, and engineering. If you’re interested in cardiology, you can explore topics like the human body and diseases, as well as biotechnology. Even though the program isn’t run by a university, completing it may make you eligible to receive UCSD credit. Application information is available here.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program
or have prior Python experience.
Duration: 10 sessions, 2.5 hours per session
Dates: Jun 9 – Aug 11 (Sundays, 11 AM – 1:30 PM EST)
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. You will 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.
3. Florida International University: Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free; Details about the stipend are not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Around 26 students
Dates: June 13 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: South Florida high school juniors, incoming FIU transfer students, and graduated seniors who’ve committed to FIU; Must have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA and be 16+ by the program’s start
During Florida International University’s Summer Research Internship, you’ll get hands-on research experience while building skills in analysis, writing, and presentation. You’ll be paired with a mentor and will have to complete five online safety trainings. You’ll also complete at least 15 hours of research each week on a flexible schedule set with your faculty mentor. At the end of the program, you’ll submit a research abstract and present your project. The top three presenters will earn awards and get the chance to present at the MARC U*STAR symposium in December.
4. Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center: Stanford Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,500 + a non-refundable $95 application fee; Need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Around 100 students per session
Dates: June 23 – July 4 | July 14 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 13 – March 14
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older by the program start; Juniors under 16 can still apply
Stanford’s Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center offers a summer internship for high school students interested in science or medicine, focusing on cardiothoracic anatomy, surgical techniques, and physiology common in pre-med and medical training. Instructors use an overhead camera to guide you through basic and advanced surgical techniques in real-time. You’ll learn hands-on skills like valve replacement, dissection, knot tying, suturing, and coronary artery bypass grafting. You will also attend lectures led by Stanford faculty, residents, and staff and participate in lab sessions, where you’ll follow demonstrations and get live feedback.
5. Knight Cardiovascular Internship for High School Students
Location: OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: First week of June to the end of August
Application Deadline: January 1 – May 11
Eligibility: Oregon high school students at least 16 by May 30; No cardiology experience required; Preference for 10th and 11th graders
In the Knight Cardiovascular Internship, you’ll get hands-on experience in real-world cardiovascular medicine, gain a better understanding of how complex the field is, and see how important heart health is to overall well-being. It’s a great way to build useful skills, learn more about the field, and explore different career options in this constantly evolving area of medicine. If you’re thinking about a future in cardiology, make sure to mention that in your application. The program can also lead to research opportunities in subsequent summers.
6. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute
Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,400 + a non-refundable application fee of $50; Limited need-based scholarships are available
Cohort Size: 25-30 students per week
Dates: July 6 – July 11 | July 20 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9-12
During the Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute program, you’ll practice skills like taking blood pressure and suturing, participate in labs and simulations, and visit healthcare facilities around Winston-Salem. Topics include Cardiology, Pulmonology, Internal Medicine, and more. During the program, you’ll tour the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and the Wake Forest School of Medicine. You’ll also spend time in simulation labs and explore medical technology in settings such as the cardiac catheterization lab and rehabilitation center. You’ll practice using ultrasound equipment, listening to heart and lung sounds, interviewing standardized patients, and working in a suture lab.
7. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (can be waived for students with financial need); Participants get a $500 stipend; Qualified individuals may receive $2,500+ in additional need-based support
Cohort Size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and will be 16 or older by the start of the program
The SIMR provides an opportunity to participate in real-world medical research projects alongside researchers, faculty, and students. You’ll receive one-on-one mentoring in a SIMR lab and gain hands-on experience conducting scientific research; labs are assigned based on your interests. You can choose from eight focus areas, including cardiovascular biology. You will attend morning lectures and afternoon lab sessions, meet weekly for group discussions, and design a research poster to present your project. There’s also a bioengineering boot camp option for students who want hands-on experience without being placed in a lab.
8. Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI): High School Student Research Program
Location: The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free; Students facing financial, educational, or social challenges earn federal minimum wage for 40 hours per week during the program
Cohort Size: 20-25 students
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: January 17
Eligibility: High school students with at least a 3.0 GPA; Preference for juniors and those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds
The Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI) allows you to gain health knowledge and learn through real research experience. Through the NIH High School Student Research Programs, you’ll work full-time in active clinical and research labs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. You’ll connect regularly with med students, faculty mentors, and guest professors through bi-weekly seminars. Throughout the summer, you’ll work 40 hours a week in labs and clinics, focusing on topics like heart disease, genetics, neuroscience, cancer, and preventive medicine. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research in a short talk and write a 3-4 page report.
9. FIU-CTS: High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free; Details about the stipend aren’t provided; For more information, you can contact them at [email protected]
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 9 – July 10
Application Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live in and attend school in St. Lucie County
During this program, you’ll work in advanced labs, run experiments, analyze results, and get a full picture of how research works. With guidance from scientists in fields like heart and lung health, neuroscience, brain and spinal cord injury, and drug discovery, you’ll learn about a range of research areas and lab techniques. You’ll also earn over 100 volunteer hours, get a certificate of participation, and receive a signed letter from the Program Director. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at the CTS High School Summer Internship Luncheon and have the chance to network with science professionals. You can find more details here.
10. Cardiac Camp @ UCSF
Location: UCSF Parnassus Campus, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 20 students participated in the camp last year
Dates: July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 14 (priority deadline) | April 11 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Bay Area 9th-10th grade students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine who will have completed at least one high school science course by July
Cardiac Camp is designed for individuals interested in a career in medicine, focusing on the anatomy and function of the cardiovascular system, heart disease, and prevention strategies across all stages of life. You’ll be paired with UCSF faculty and students who will offer ongoing mentorship as you explore college and career paths. Along the way, you’ll learn about cardiology, connect with mentors, and get a clearer picture of what a future in healthcare could look like.
11. Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute for High School Students
Location: Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 30 students
Dates: July 10, 11, and 14 – 19
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute offers an opportunity to explore a variety of healthcare fields like cardiovascular science, clinical psychology, biomedical sciences, and more. You’ll also practice clinical skills such as intubation, suturing, and venipuncture. You’ll learn from Midwestern faculty and students about how the university prepares its undergraduate students, and gain hands-on experience through workshops in areas such as osteopathic medicine, human and animal anatomy, vital signs, occupational therapy, and more.
12. Georgetown University’s Medical Immersion Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $8,410 (Residential) | $6,355 (Commuter); Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 8 – June 27
Application Deadline: January 31 (early deadline) | April 15 (final deadline)
Eligibility: Current 8th to 12th graders with at least a 2.0 GPA and who are 15 or older by the time the program starts
Georgetown University’s Medical Immersion Academy allows you to learn from Georgetown School of Medicine faculty and students, covering subjects like cardiology, cell biology, and more. You’ll also practice basic emergency medicine skills like CPR, suturing, and wound care. You’ll also create a research poster based on a program theme and earn a Certificate of Participation once you finish. The program combines lectures, field trips, labs, and extracurriculars. Along the way, you’ll build your knowledge of current medical challenges and discover different career paths in healthcare.
13. Emory University’s Pre-College Program – Pulse of Innovation: Unraveling Cardiovascular Anatomy, Disease, and Engineering Treatments
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $5,137 (Residential) | $3,662 (Commuter) + $70 non-refundable application fee; Check here for additional fees; Need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Each class has an average of 14 students
Dates: June 15 – June 28 (Session A) | June 29 – July 12 (Session B) | July 13 – July 26 (Session C)
Application Deadline: May 9 (Session A) | May 23 (Session B) | June 6 (Session C)
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum 3.0 GPA; Biology and chemistry prerequisite
The Pre-College Program at Emory University allows students to experience college life while taking a non-credit course taught by Emory faculty members. If you’re interested in cardiology, the Pulse of Innovation: Unraveling Cardiovascular Anatomy, Disease, and Engineering Treatments course explores common diseases like atherosclerosis, heart anatomy, and new therapies like gene editing, stem cell regeneration, and bioprinting. You’ll learn through interactive lessons, hands-on projects, and field trips. The course also covers careers in cardiovascular science and gives a broad overview of cardiovascular function, disease, and treatments.
14. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Biomedical Engineering
Location: Virtual (synchronous lectures)
Cost: $3,080 + additional fees; Need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Each class has an average of 16 students
Dates: June 16 – June 27 | July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11; Should have finished a high school biology course
Stanford University’s Pre-College Summer Institutes offer a two-week online program where you can choose one ungraded, non-credit course from about 60 options. If you’re interested in cardiology, the Biomedical Engineering course will introduce you to the tech behind modern medicine. The course covers the history of biomedical engineering and explores new technologies used to treat things like heart conditions and epilepsy, including nanotech, genetic engineering, AI, regenerative medicine, and precision diagnostics. You’ll also design and build a prosthetic arm and work on a capstone project that tackles a current biomedical challenge.
15. Summer@Brown Online Pre-College Programs: Medicine in Action: A View into the Life of a Medical Student
Location: Online through Canvas, Brown’s learning management system
Cost: $3,218; Scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 2 weeks; June 30 – July 11
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12, aged 14-18 years old by June 15; Should have a solid biology background and enthusiasm for interactive medicine
Summer@Brown Online offers an opportunity to explore over 50 courses in subjects like medicine, psychology, biology, finance, and political science. If you’re interested in cardiology, the Medicine in Action: A View into the Life of a Medical Student course dives into key areas of medicine through real-world examples like the human heart. You’ll explore how the heart works, study its anatomy, and learn how to do a medical interview and cardiopulmonary exam on a patient with chest pain. You’ll also talk about medical ethics, like the complexities of heart transplants, and get to know different healthcare careers by connecting with medical students from a range of backgrounds.
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!
Image source – Florida International University