If you’re a high school student in Berkeley, California, planning to build medical skills over the summer, consider joining a structured medical summer program in the city. These medical summer programs include hands-on labs, research projects, clinical simulations, and sessions with healthcare professionals.
Many of these programs are held at Berkeley universities or research centers and are designed to help you understand different areas of medicine, from biotechnology to public health. Whether you want to become a doctor, learn about medical research, or explore healthcare careers, these programs offer early experience and exposure.
In this blog, you’ll find 15 medical summer programs for high school students in Berkeley, California!
15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Berkeley, CA
1. Emergency Medicine at Berkeley – Summer Springboard
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,998; Commuter Tuition: $3,298; +$250 Medicine course supplement
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: June 15 – June 27; June 29 – July 11
Eligibility: Have completed 8th grade by program start date; 3.0 grade point average.
Emergency Medicine at Berkeley introduces you to core emergency medicine skills through hands-on practice. You will train in core emergency procedures like CPR, bleeding control, splinting, and suturing. In the simulation lab, you’ll learn to take vital signs, assess patient stability, and respond to trauma scenarios.
You will visit the UCSF Kanbar Simulation Center and Berkeley Fire Department, where you’ll meet EMTs, examine emergency equipment, and tour an ambulance. The program includes Red Cross certification in Adult and Child CPR, along with sessions on medical careers, clinical roles, and academic pathways in healthcare.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18
Program Dates: The cohort starts on June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four 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 high school students a trimester-long opportunity to engage in advanced research across fields like data science, machine learning, biology, neuroscience, political theory, and more. You can choose between quantitative and qualitative research based on your interests.
After selecting your focus area, you’ll be paired with a mentor, typically a professor or Ph.D. candidate, who will guide you in developing a 20-page, university-level research paper. You may also submit your paper to academic journals while still in high school.
You’ll also receive a personalized letter of recommendation, which can boost your college applications.
3. Biotechnology at Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,998; Commuter Tuition: $3,298 +$250 Medicine course supplement
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: June 22 – July 4; July 6 – July 18; July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Completed 8th grade of middle school by program start date; 3.0 grade point average.
In this program, you will study microbiology and molecular genetics through soil-based research and CRISPR gene editing. You’ll isolate soil microbes to explore their potential to produce antibiotics. You’ll also learn lab skills like pipetting, fluorescence analysis, and DNA manipulation using CRISPR.
You’ll follow the steps of scientific research, from creating hypotheses to designing experiments and analyzing results. The program also covers the role of artificial intelligence in biotech research. You’ll apply what you learn by working with proteins and studying microbes in labs.
4. Ladder Internship Program – Medicine/Health Track
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a competitive 8-week virtual program for high school students to gain hands-on experience at fast-growing start-ups. You’ll work with companies in industries like technology, AI/ML, journalism, consulting, marketing, and health tech, with a dedicated track for students interested in medicine and healthcare.
During the program, you’ll work on projects with company managers and a Ladder Coach, and finish with a final presentation to the company. You can explore available internships and apply through their application form here.
5. Neurobiology at Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,998; Commuter Tuition: $3,298
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: June 22 – July 4; July 6 – July 18; July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Completed 8th grade of middle school by program start date; 3.0 grade point average
The Neurology at Berkeley focuses on how the brain controls behavior and changes throughout life. Key topics include neural development, synaptic communication, and neurological disorders. You’ll learn through lectures, lab work, and hands-on experiments using techniques in cell biology and molecular neuroscience.
The program also explores how injury and experience affect the nervous system. Professional development sessions cover careers in neurobiology, including roles in research, medicine, neuroinformatics, and biotechnology. The curriculum combines scientific theory with lab experience to give you a comprehensive understanding of modern neurobiology.
6. Nursing at Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,998; Commuter Tuition: $3,298
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: June 22 – July 4; July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Completed 8th grade of middle school by program start date; 3.0 grade point average
Nursing at Berkeley explores the key components of nursing care through classroom learning and simulated clinical activities. You’ll study topics like anatomy, physiology, communication, and health promotion. Simulations will help you build hands-on experience in patient care, while the program also introduces research practices and the role of evidence in clinical decision-making.
You’ll examine the nurse’s role in healthcare systems and how critical thinking supports daily tasks. Leadership and decision-making are key focuses throughout the program. Additionally, you’ll gain insight into nursing career paths and how nurses contribute to health in various care settings.
7. Pre-Med at Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,998; Commuter Tuition: $3,298 +$250 Medicine course supplement
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: June 22 – July 4; July 6 – July 18; July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Completed 8th grade of middle school by program start date; 3.0 grade point average
Pre-Med at Berkeley combines clinical exposure with research-focused learning. You’ll rotate through various medical specialties, gaining insights from practicing doctors, residents, and students. The program also introduces medical research, allowing you to explore an emerging medical issue and work on potential solutions.
CPR certification is included, along with simulation training at UCSF’s KANBAR Center. You’ll visit the Henry H. Wheeler Brain Imaging Center to observe advanced imaging technologies. Additionally, the program includes sessions on medical school admissions and academic planning, helping you prepare for a future healthcare career.
8. Psychology & Neuroscience at Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,998; Commuter Tuition: $3,298 +$250 Medicine course supplement
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: June 22 – July 4; July 6 – July 18; July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Completed 8th grade of middle school by program start date; 3.0 grade point average
Psychology & Neuroscience at Berkeley explores how brain function affects behavior and mental health. You’ll participate in activities like EEG recording and psychology simulations. Topics include neural circuitry, cognition, and the biological causes of psychological disorders. You’ll also interact with professionals from clinical, academic, and research fields. The program includes a visit to the Cognitive Psychophysiology Lab at SFSU to support your classroom learning.
9. Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential Track
Location: University of California
Cost: $15,950 (8-week session); $14,650 (6-week session); $25 application fee
Application Deadline: February 3 – March 10
Dates: June 23–August 15 (8-week session); July 7–August 15 (6-week session)
Eligibility: Completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall; Overall GPA of 3.0; 16 years of age by June 22
Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential Track offers you the chance to earn college credit while living on campus. You’ll take two university-level courses, with options in the biology track such as Exploring the Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience and Introduction to Human Nutrition.
These courses cover topics like neurological function, memory, learning, and the impact of nutrients on health. Outside of classes, you can participate in workshops, excursions, and student life activities.
10. Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Virtual Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee + $615 per unit charge + $550 registration fee + $71 Document Management Fee
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: February 18 – June 2
Dates: Multiple sessions available
Eligibility: Completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall; Overall GPA of 3.0.
The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Virtual Track brings together students from across the globe to study remotely with UC Berkeley instructors. In the biology track, you may choose Public Health Microbiology to study the role of microorganisms in health or Introduction to Biological Psychology to explore how biology shapes behavior.
You’ll earn college credit and participate in a virtual classroom with peers from diverse academic backgrounds. The program offers structured engagement with Berkeley’s academic resources while allowing you to explore biological topics and future areas of study from anywhere in the world.
11. Molecular Medicine Workshops
Location: UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, and University College London/ Virtual
Cost: $510 – $3,680
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: Varies depending on the program you apply for
Eligibility: Students ages 11-18 (varies depending on the program you apply for)
Molecular Medicine Workshops offer in-person and online programs for high school and middle school students interested in biomedical research and medicine. Topics covered include cancer biology, immunology, aging, neuroscience, and bioinformatics. You’ll explore molecular biology through lectures and hands-on labs, studying both normal cellular function and disease mechanisms.
Workshops are hosted at universities like UC Berkeley and Columbia, with both residential and commuter options available. Online workshops introduce molecular medicine and data analysis tools. All programs include a final research project, with support from PhD-level instructors and teaching assistants in small, supervised groups.
12. Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics
Location: UC Berkeley
Cost: $1,465; $1,255 (residential fee)
Application Deadline: Depends on the availability of slots
Dates: Multiple sessions are available
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12
In Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics, you’ll learn how CRISPR is used for gene editing in bacterial systems. You’ll study topics like molecular biology, genome function, and the global applications of biotechnology.
Through lab experiments, you’ll explore the ethical and practical limits of genetic engineering. Session 1 is designed for students without a biology background, while Sessions 2 and 4 are for those with prior biology knowledge and offer more experimental time.
13. Psychology of Wellbeing
Location: UC Berkeley
Cost: $1,465
Application Deadline: Depends on the availability of slots
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12
In Psychology of Wellbeing, you’ll explore the science behind emotional health through research design and analysis. You’ll investigate factors that influence happiness, collect your data, and examine how psychological theories apply in real-world situations.
The course includes hands-on practice in interpreting findings, identifying causal relationships, and discussing strategies for improving well-being. Developed from a UC Berkeley Big Ideas course, the program includes peer collaboration, exposure to STEM professionals, and cross-track interaction.
14. Pediatrics in Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,998; Commuter Tuition: $3,298
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: July 13 – July 25
Eligibility: Completed 8th grade of middle school by program start date; 3.0 Grade Point Average
Pediatrics at Berkeley offers a hands-on look at pediatric medicine through practical exercises and clinical simulations. You’ll start by learning essential skills like taking vitals, patient histories, and basic first aid. The program includes certification in child and infant CPR and AED.
You’ll then participate in simulation labs focused on diagnosing and treating pediatric cases in emergency, hospital, and general care settings. Team-based activities emphasize collaborative treatment planning. The course also covers the aspects of caring for patients from infancy through adolescence.
15. Summer Science Intensive: iCLEM
Location: Joint BioEnergy Institute
Cost: None. Pays a stipend of $3,000
Application Deadline: March 16
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: Sophomore or junior in high school residing in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County; 16 years old by June 16; GPA of at least 2.5 and have passed Algebra 1 and Biology.
The Summer Science Intensive: iCLEM is a paid program for economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors interested in biotechnology and microbiology. You’ll work on a research project in a lab, mentored by JBEI researchers and UC undergraduates. The curriculum covers microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biofuels, and synthetic biology.
The program also provides college preparation support, including help with personal statements and admissions guidance. Career exploration is part of the experience, with STEM professional panels and site visits to biotechnology companies.
Image source – UC Berkeley