If you are a high school student in Boston interested in getting some exposure to healthcare, medicine, dentistry, or nursing, a medical program in the city can be a great way to spend the summer.
Medical summer programs often include hands-on lab work, clinical observations, interactive workshops, and mentorship from professionals and researchers, providing a deeper understanding of health sciences. As a participant, you will also gain experience in areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomedical research, and public health beyond standard high school coursework.
Boston’s rich ecosystem of hospitals, universities, and medical centers, including institutions like Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, makes it a hub for high-quality local opportunities. Choosing a program in Boston also makes practical sense—you gain exposure to top-tier medical environments without relocating for the summer and spending on temporary accommodation.
To help you connect with the right experience, we have compiled a list of 15 medical summer programs for high school students in Boston!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer cohort runs from June to August; other cohorts also available
Application deadline: June/July for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the opportunity to work one-on-one with Ph.D. researchers to develop a detailed research project in a field of choice. You can choose medicine, neuroscience, biology, or a similar field as your research area. During the program, you will get support from your mentor at each stage of research work, including literature reviews, data analysis (often using tools like Python, R, or SPSS), and project-based work. You will gain experience in formulating research questions, designing methodologies, and interpreting scientific literature. You will complete the program with a university-level research paper or presentation.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in summer
Application deadline: June/July for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI offers several AI-based programs to high school students, of which the Deep Dive: AI + Medicine track is an opportunity to explore the applications of machine learning and AI in healthcare and medicine. The program also offers an introduction to topics like medical data preparation, image segmentation, and convolutional neural networks. Throughout the program, you will attend virtual lectures and group sessions. You will also work on real-world projects to explore the link between AI and healthcare. For instance, your project could focus on using AI/ML to diagnose diseases or sharpen medical scans.
3. Tufts University’s Mini Med School
Location: Tufts University’s Boston Health Sciences Campus, Boston, MA
Cost: $3,525–$6,750, depending on the session and format (commuter or residential) you choose; limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple one- to two-week sessions in June and July. Check details here.
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 and 12 and recent graduates who are 16 or older and have completed at least one year of high school biology
Mini Med School at Tufts University School of Medicine introduces high school students to clinical and biomedical sciences through faculty-led instruction and guided practice in clinical skills. You will attend lectures on medical topics, engage in case-based discussions, and complete hands-on labs in anatomy, microbiology, and clinical simulation. Technical training includes vital sign measurement, suturing, and working on case simulations in the Clinical Simulation Center. You will also explore human anatomy and dissection in Tufts’ labs. The program culminates in a capstone project focused on a clinical skill or a topic in medicine. Alongside lab and project work, you will attend sessions with medical professionals and admissions staff to learn about healthcare pathways and professional expectations.
4. Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Various Massachusetts General Hospital sites in MA, including in Boston
Stipend: Paid, exact amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a six- to eight-week full-time, paid internship for high school students interested in lab-based neuroscience research. You will begin with a boot camp covering lab safety, data management, and scientific communication. You will be paired with an MGH neurology faculty mentor and contribute to ongoing research projects in neuroscience. You will also attend weekly didactic sessions led by neurologists and neuroscientists, as well as engage in career development workshops. You will work on a final research presentation sharing your summer experience with the MGH neurology community. Continued post-program mentorship can offer support for your future academic and research pursuits, including publication and conference participation.
5. Tufts University Mini Dental School
Location: Tufts University’s Boston Health Sciences Campus, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter fee: $3,525 + materials fee: $100; limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 and 12 and recent graduates who are 16 or older and have completed at least one year of high school biology
The Mini Dental School offers high school students an applied introduction to dental medicine through lab-based instruction and technical skill development. As a participant, you will gain hands-on experience in basic procedures such as suturing, plaque removal, and cavity fillings under the guidance of dental professionals. You will also explore topics such as oral anatomy, dental pathology, modern dental technologies and diagnostic tools, and the connection between oral healthcare and overall physiology. You will review real patient cases to get some insights into clinical decision-making. For your final capstone project, you will research and present solutions to contemporary oral health issues utilizing your creative problem-solving skills.
6. MEDscienceClinical @ Harvard Medical School
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,250 (four-day program) or $2,800 (five-day program); a limited number of scholarships available for Boston area students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions between June and August; check dates here.
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
MEDscienceClinical by Harvard Medical School trains high school students in emergency medicine through simulation-based instruction. Here, you will develop clinical competencies such as IV insertion, wound suturing, CPR, intubation, and trauma care using high-fidelity mannequins and diagnostic tools in Harvard’s simulation labs. The curriculum covers patient assessment, case-based diagnosis, emergency response, laparoscopic technique, and obstetric simulation. You will also earn certifications in CPR/AED and Stop the Bleed, while also participating in MEDchats—structured Q&A sessions with healthcare professionals across specialties. The program emphasizes team-based decision-making, rapid response protocols, and the clinical reasoning required in acute care settings.
7. Boston Medical Center’s Junior Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort size: 70
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: Not specified, but the application window opens on March 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Junior Summer Volunteer Program is an eight-week opportunity to explore the daily operations of a healthcare facility. Here, you will commit to at least one three-hour shift each week at the Boston Medical Center, engaging in tasks that support hospital operations and taking on volunteering roles in one of the facility’s departments, which includes the outpatient pediatric clinic. You will attend one-hour lectures led by professionals like physicians, nurses, surgeons, social workers, and healthcare administrators. During the program, you will get to explore a range of roles in healthcare and medicine and the inner workings of a hospital. You will receive credits and a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
8. Harvard Medical School’s MEDscienceLAB
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August; check dates here
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: High school students, 16 or older
MEDscienceLAB is a weeklong full-day program at Harvard Medical School focusing on the link between biotechnology research and clinical decision-making. The program emphasizes the development of technical skills, scientific reasoning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Here, you will conduct experiments using techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, and ELISA to analyze patient-derived samples and link lab findings to patient outcomes using simulations. You will work in teams to interpret test results, identify clinical conditions, and make treatment decisions, simulating the diagnostic workflow in translational medicine. MEDchats—interactive sessions—will introduce you to professionals across biotech, public health, and biomedical science and offer insights into academic and research careers.
9. Boston Leadership Institute Biomedical and Surgical Research Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at The Newman School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition: $2,500 + residential fee (participants): $2,097 | Remote program fee: $1,200; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; average class size is 15–20
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – July 11 | Session 2: July 14 – August 1 | Remote Session: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Biomedical and Surgical Research Program offered by the Boston Leadership Institute is a three-week intensive that introduces high school students to applied biomedical science and surgical techniques. The curriculum covers core physiological systems through procedures such as cranial nerve exams, cow heart pacemaker implantations, spinal cord dissections, and mock trauma care. You will engage in lectures, activities, and lab sessions to practice surgical knot tying, instrument handling, and anatomical analysis. The program also offers an opportunity to conduct original research projects on diseases and treatments. Site visits to clinical labs and opportunities to connect with academic researchers during the program also provide insights into translational medicine and biomedical innovation.
10. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 program fee + $40 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students (14+) entering grades 9–12 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; priority is given to students with strong math or computer programming skills or previous experience with a healthcare project
The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. Here, you will explore the medical applications of AI through technical lectures led by Stanford faculty and industry experts on topics such as machine learning, neural networks, and image classification. You will also collaborate on team-based research projects, often involving datasets and coding tasks using Python or relevant statistical tools. The program also includes mentorship from Stanford-affiliated researchers and “Lunch and Learn” sessions with professionals in AI and healthcare. The internship culminates in project presentations, offering you some experience in scientific communication and exposure to potential research pathways in AI and medicine
11. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS): Virtual Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Five weeks between July and August
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in North America
The JHIBS Virtual Track is a five-week remote neuroscience internship for high school juniors and seniors. The program offers a structured curriculum combining live seminars, journal discussions, and mentorship with neuroscience researchers and clinicians. You will explore experimental design, basic lab techniques, and neuroanatomy through virtual modules. In addition to core science training, the internship offers sessions on academic writing, professional development, and pathways into neuroscience careers. You will complete a capstone presentation and receive a certificate that reflects your understanding of brain science research.
12. Harvard Medical School’s MEDscienceLAB Forensics
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,800; a limited number of scholarships available for Boston area students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July; check dates here
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 years or older
MEDscienceLAB Forensics is a one-week forensic science program held at Harvard Medical School that introduces students to the medical science involved in crime investigation. Working in teams, you collect and analyze evidence from a mock crime scene, conduct interviews, and apply techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, fingerprinting, hair and fiber analysis, and cellular microscopy. You will compile your findings in a formal lab report and present conclusions in a mock trial setting. The program also features MEDchats with professionals in public health, medicine, and forensic science, offering insight into career paths. During the program, you’ll find opportunities to engage in collaboration, scientific reasoning, and analytical communication throughout the investigation process.
13. Boston Leadership Institute Cardiology & Internal Medicine
Location: The Newman School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition: $2,500 + residential fee: $2,097; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; average class size is 15–20
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Boston Leadership Institute’s Cardiology & Internal Medicine program is a three-week summer course designed for high school students considering careers in pre-med, internal medicine, or cardiology. Using simulated patient cases, you will diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and explore prognosis strategies. Lab work and hands-on activities include dissections, abdominal palpations, and full patient workups. You will also learn about surgical techniques such as triple bypass procedures, pacemaker implantation, and heart valve repair. The program explores subspecialties such as pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and infectious diseases, providing you with exposure to both non-invasive and surgical interventions. This experience can help you build practical skills and explore the treatment options for a wide range of internal medical conditions.
14. Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) @ Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid; exact amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: 7–11 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 years old at the start of the program, living in and/or attending school in Massachusetts, and able to commute to the Longwood Medical Area in Boston; college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors can also apply
CURE is a full-time, paid summer research internship that allows high school students to explore cancer biology and biomedical research. You will be matched with a research mentor and contribute to active cancer-related projects in laboratories, gaining skills in experimental design, data collection, and scientific analysis. You will also engage in seminars, journal clubs, and ethics training, learning how to critically evaluate scientific literature and practice responsible conduct of research. You will also develop professional skills while engaging in abstract writing, final presentations, networking events, and career panels.
15. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Virtual
Cost:$95 application fee + $4,380 program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Summer: February 24; Fall: June 2
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and undergraduate pre-med students who are 16 or older
Stanford’s CSI offers virtual practical learning experiences to high schoolers and undergraduate students interested in medical careers. During the internship, you will attend lectures and expert-led sessions to practice techniques like suturing, organ dissection, administering injections, and conducting physical exams. You will work on simulated medical cases, making diagnoses and suggesting treatments. You will also participate in a group presentation to discuss the assigned medical case. The experience can help you explore medical specialties and build the technical skills required to pursue careers in healthcare and medicine.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in an area of your choice, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!