If you’re a high school student interested in pursuing a medical career, you can benefit from early exposure to the field through summer programs. These opportunities allow you to develop practical skills, engage with subject-specific technologies, and deepen your knowledge in specialized areas like anatomy, physiology, and public health. Unlike broader research programs, these medical summer programs in the Bay Area offer concentrated, hands-on experience, giving participants a strong foundation in scientific inquiry, technical procedures, and interdisciplinary learning.
Here’s a list of 15 medical summer programs for high school students in the Bay Area!
1. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
SMYSP is a residential program for high school students emphasizing medicine, public health, and health disparities. Students participate in anatomy labs, clinical skills workshops, and health research projects. You will develop skills such as patient interviewing techniques, basic vital signs assessment, and exposure to epidemiology tools like Epi Info. The program incorporates lectures from physicians and public health experts, helping you to understand health disparities through science and sociology. Participants also complete a research project using statistical software, developing both quantitative skills and critical thinking.
Cost: Free (includes housing and meals)
Location: Stanford University
Program Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High-achieving high school juniors from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds in Northern and Central California
2. UCSF High School Intern Program
UCSF is a summer internship for high school students that focuses on biomedical research and laboratory science. Students train in molecular biology techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cell culturing. Interns work under the mentorship of graduate students or postdocs, learning how to design experiments, collect biological data, and present findings. Additionally, they gain exposure to lab management software such as LabArchives. Through daily lab meetings and journal clubs, students improve their scientific communication skills while exploring real-world applications in fields such as oncology, genetics, and neurology.
Cost: Free (stipends available)
Location: UCSF Mission Bay Campus
Program Dates: June 17 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from the San Francisco Bay Area
3. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
CSI focuses on clinical medicine through skills-building sessions. You will practice suturing, ultrasound use, patient history taking, and interpreting diagnostic results under physician supervision. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking through simulated case studies in cardiology, trauma, and infectious diseases. Technology training includes working with EMR (Electronic Medical Records) systems like Epic. The program also covers medical ethics discussions and professional communication workshops, enabling you to approach clinical problems with both technical knowledge and ethical sensitivity.
Cost: In-Person – $6,380 & Virtual – $4,380
Location: Stanford University
Program Dates: Session 1: July 14-25 (In-Person); Session 2: July 28 – August 8 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
4. UCSF Bay Area Youth Science Program
This program focuses on pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, and medication management. You will work on projects involving drug development, pharmacy compounding, and medication safety practices. Participants learn to use drug databases like Lexicomp and practice case simulations related to chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The program also focuses on chemical analysis techniques, prescription writing, and patient counseling. Through direct mentorship from pharmacists and researchers, you gain a foundational understanding of the intersection between chemistry, healthcare, and patient care systems.
Cost: Stipend of $5,000
Location: UCSF Campus
Program Dates: January – August (lecture + internship)
Application Deadline: March 31 (internship deadline)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with an interest in pharmacy or health sciences
5. Stanford Clinical Science, Technology, and Medicine Summer Internship
The Stanford Clinical Science, Technology, and Medicine Summer Internship provides high school students with hands-on exposure to anesthesia and critical care medicine. You will attend workshops on airway management, IV placement, and basic EKG interpretation. You will engage in problem-based learning modules covering trauma care, perioperative procedures, and emergency response techniques. Software exposure includes the use of simulation systems like SimMan3G. Daily seminars cover topics like the pharmacokinetics of anesthesia and patient monitoring, offering a comprehensive look into perioperative healthcare workflows. This program is suited for students interested in both clinical procedures and the technology used in medical care.
Cost: Varies based on the program of choice
Location: Stanford University
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school seniors and college freshmen
6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
SIMR places high school students in Stanford labs to assist with biomedical research. You will work in fields such as cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, bioengineering, and stem cell biology. Lab techniques taught include flow cytometry, Western blotting, and CRISPR gene editing. Computational biology interns work with programming languages like R and Python for bioinformatics projects. You will also attend workshops on scientific writing and poster presentation. By the end of the program, you’ll have produced a research poster summarizing your independent project findings.
Cost: Free (stipends provided)
Location: Stanford University
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Rising seniors
7. FACES Summer Medical Academy
The FACES Summer Medical Academy (FSMA), hosted at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, is a two-week summer program for high school students aged 15 and above. It offers hands-on training in clinical skills such as suturing, wound care, vital signs, and IV placement. You will earn certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Opioid Overdose Response (Naloxone), and Stop the Bleed. The program also includes workshops on medical ethics, healthcare access, and cultural competency, along with anatomy lab visits and simulations. Participants work closely with healthcare professionals and gain mentorship on medical career paths.
Cost: $2,500
Location: Oakland, CA
Program Dates: July 16–27
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+
8. The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week program that introduces high school students to the fields of neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Through interactive seminars led by Stanford faculty and researchers, you will explore topics such as clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, and behavioral sciences. The program includes discussions on professional development and strategies for transitioning to college. You’ll also engage in case studies, group projects, and presentations that deepen your understanding of the brain and mental health. CNI-X offers both virtual and in-person sessions, providing flexibility for participants.
Cost: $1,595 (Virtual); $2,895 (In-Person)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, and online
Program Dates:
- Virtual: June 16 – July 27
- In-person: Session 1: July 7 – July 18; Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year
9. Pediatrics Internship Program (PIP) – Stanford
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a six-week, full-time summer research program for high school juniors and seniors residing in select Northern California counties. As a participant, you will engage in approximately 30 hours per week, dedicating 23 hours to a mentored research project in maternal and child health, culminating in a poster presentation. The remaining time includes interactive workshops on research methodologies, college preparation, and career exploration in science and medicine. PIPS is designed for students with limited prior research experience and focuses on increasing diversity in the biomedical sciences.
Cost: Free
Location: Stanford University
Program Dates: June 16–July 25
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
10. Kaiser Permanente KP Launch Internship
KP Launch places high school students into hospital-based internships to learn about healthcare operations, administration, and patient care support roles. You’ll shadow physicians, nurses, and healthcare administrators, gaining insight into hospital workflows and EHR (Electronic Health Record) systems. Workshops cover HIPAA regulations, health equity, and professionalism. You’ll also complete a capstone project addressing a public health issue, integrating skills in communication, teamwork, and community health analysis.
Cost: Free (paid internship)
Location: Various Bay Area Kaiser Permanente facilities
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underserved communities
11. Touro University California High School Summer Program
Touro University California’s High School & College Summer Healthcare Program is a six-week immersive program for high school students interested in exploring health professions. You will engage in hands-on activities such as clinical simulations, medication compounding labs, and the “Food as Medicine” lab. The program also includes community research projects, peer collaboration, and mentoring to support college and graduate school readiness. You will also receive support in strengthening their math and science skills and gain insights into public health.
Cost: Free (stipend provided)
Location: Vallejo, CA
Program Dates: June 9–July 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: To be eligible for this program, students must come from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background (see HCOP homepage), reside in a County North of San Francisco Bay (Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, San Joaquin), and be a high school junior or senior.
12. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory SAGE Program
The Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement (SAGE) Camp at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a free, one-week residential program for high school students aged 14–17 in Northern California. Held from June 22–28, 2025, at SLAC and Stanford campuses, the camp immerses participants in STEM through hands-on projects, job shadowing, and facility tours. You’ll engage with scientists and engineers, exploring careers in science and engineering, while also participating in workshops that highlight the intersection of STEM with arts and other disciplines.
Cost: Free (stipend provided)
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Program Dates: June 22–June 28
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Students must currently be in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade in a Northern California high school and must be under 18 years to attend the full week of camp
13. Summer Springboard: Biotechnology Program at UC Berkeley
The Summer Springboard Biotechnology Program at UC Berkeley offers high school students a hands-on introduction to the field of biotechnology. Participants engage in laboratory experiments, exploring techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. The program includes visits to industry leaders like Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Innovative Genomics Institute, providing real-world insights into biotech applications. Students attend lectures and workshops led by experienced professionals, covering topics from genetic engineering to bioethics. The program also offers college preparatory sessions, aiding students in understanding the academic pathways in biotechnology.
Cost: Residential – $5,998; Commuter – $3,298
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Program Dates: June 22 – July 4 | July 6 – July 18 | July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
14. MarinHealth High School Volunteer Program
MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae offers a selective volunteer opportunity for high school students through its S.M.I.L.E. (Students Making Illness a Little Easier) Cart program. This year-long commitment is designed for students aged 16 and above who are considering a career in the medical field. You will be assigned a permanent two-hour weekly shift, Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, during which you will visit patients with the S.M.I.L.E. Cart, distributing complimentary items like games, magazines, and personal care products to enhance patient comfort and well-being.
Cost: Free
Location: Marin County, CA
Program Dates: Year-long
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
15. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Summer Student Research Program
The UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) is a nine-week internship designed for high school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduate students, from underrepresented backgrounds in the sciences. You will engage in hands-on biomedical research under the mentorship of UCSF faculty and researchers, focusing on areas such as stem cell biology, clinical research, and gene therapy. The program includes weekly seminars, journal clubs, and a final research symposium where you’ll present your findings.
Cost: Free (stipend provided)
Location: Oakland, CA
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 years of age or older by June 1
Bonus –
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, biology, neuroscience, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Ladder Internship Program
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 selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from healthcare, medicine, tech, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like medicine, 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 – UC San Francisco