If you’re a high school student interested in medicine, structured programs in the field can give you access to topics and experiences that go far beyond the typical classroom. These programs can help you develop foundational skills in areas such as biomedical research, clinical reasoning, public health analysis, and data-driven problem-solving. Depending on the program, you might explore areas such as neuroscience, molecular biology, health equity, clinical skills, healthcare innovation, or AI in medicine.
Why should I study medicine in California as a high schooler?
California offers one of the most diverse ecosystems for medical learning in the country. The state is home to top medical schools, major research organizations, biotech hubs, and large healthcare systems, which means high school students can tap into opportunities connected to institutions such as UCLA, UCSF, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and many others. You may also have the chance to participate in clinical simulations, lab work, research design, or guided workshops with physicians and scientists
If you’re looking to explore the medical field more seriously, here are 15 medicine programs for high school students in California. If you’re looking for pre-med summer programs in California, check out this blog!
15 Medicine Programs for High School Students in California
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free, except for a $50 application fee (fee waivers available) | Limited number of need-based stipends are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 50 students (might vary depending on the number of participating labs and funding)
Program Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors aged 16 or older | U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are currently residing and attending school in the country
SIMR is a summer research internship spanning eight weeks for high school juniors and seniors. It starts with mandatory safety training and summer lectures on fundamental research ideas, then advances to full-time work in a Stanford laboratory. You can choose from research areas such as immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with a graduate student or postdoctoral mentor as you take on a medically-oriented research project. You’ll conclude the experience by preparing and presenting a scientific poster summarizing your findings.
2. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: Multiple locations across the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | $3,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 14 (tentative; subject to change)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with backgrounds that are considered under-represented in the sciences (check the FAQ page for the definition of under-represented backgrounds) | Must be at least 16 years old | Must have completed at least one year of math and biology | Must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals of the U.S., or lawfull permanent residents (the program is also open to undergraduate students)
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program is a nine-week research experience where you’re matched with a mentor to work on a clinical research, basic laboratory science, or community and public health project. Depending on your placement, you might work with patient data, assist with lab experiments, or contribute to health-focused studies in local communities. You will attend weekly seminars, participate in a journal club, and outline a research abstract and proposal as you progress through the program. This program will enhance your scientific writing and communication skills. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to present your findings at a formal research symposium at the end.
3. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free, except for a $50 application fee (fee waivers available) | Need-based stipend of $3,000 is available for qualifying students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 35–40 students
Program Dates: June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 23
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old | Must reside and attend high school in one of the following counties in Northern California: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, or Santa Cruz | Must have a minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.0
PIPS offers a seven-week introduction to research in maternal and child health for rising high school juniors and seniors. You’ll spend most of your time working on a mentored research project in a pediatrics lab, with possible areas including adolescent medicine, general pediatrics, endocrinology, cardiology, radiology, infectious diseases, and other related pediatric fields. Alongside lab work, you’ll take part in interactive workshops that cover research skills, medical career pathways, and college preparation. You will also have weekly meetings with near-peer mentors, including Stanford undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students, who assist you throughout the program. The internship concludes with a poster presentation at a symposium for faculty, family, and peers.
4. Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 20 students each summer
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Students aged 16 or older from anywhere in the U.S. and its associated territories
STaRS Internship is a seven-week, full-time research program where you work in the Jill Helms Laboratory at Stanford under the guidance of postdoc, graduate, and undergraduate mentors. You’ll conduct hands-on experiments in biomedical and reconstructive surgery, with exposure to topics including imaging, histology, and immunochemistry. Throughout the program, you will participate in workshops on laboratory techniques, scientific communication, and academic pathways in medicine and STEM. You’ll also be part of a small cohort of peers, taking part in community-building activities and regular check-ins with your mentors. The program concludes with a presentation of your research to faculty, peers, and guests.
5. UC Irvine Cancer Research Institute’s Summer Youth Science Fellowship Program
Location: University of California, Irvine (UCI) campus, Irvine, CA
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 20 students
Program Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors from Orange County | Must have completed both a chemistry and biology class by the start of the program | Must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0
UC Irvine’s Summer Youth Science Fellowship Program is a six-week research experience that introduces you to cancer research through mentored projects in basic or population sciences. You’ll spend about 30 hours per week in a UCI lab, learning foundational laboratory techniques, data collection methods, and science communication skills. The program also includes scientific seminars and professional development workshops that help you understand how biomedical and cancer research are approached in academic settings. Throughout the summer, you’ll work closely with a research mentor who guides your project and supports your progress. The program ends with a poster symposium where you present your findings to faculty, peers, and family.
6. Inspiring New Scientists through Professional Internships and Research Experience (INSPIRE) at Cedars-Sinai
Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | Paid, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 25 research interns
Program Dates: June 30 – September 5 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above (there is also a track for college students)
Cedars-Sinai’s INSPIRE program is a paid, on-site summer internship for students who want structured exposure to research in a healthcare setting. During the 6–10-week program, you will work with a faculty mentor and learn core research practices, including study design, data collection and analysis, and the safe handling of patient information. You will also gain experience in reviewing scientific literature, writing abstracts, and discussing your research in lab meetings. In addition to your research project, you’ll also attend weekly workshops focused on skill building, networking, and career exploration. You’ll conclude the program by presenting your findings at a symposium.
7. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 24 students
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26, with a mandatory in-person orientation on June 18
Application Deadline: TBA; applications will open in mid-December
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week, tuition-free summer program for Northern California high school juniors interested in medicine and public health. You’ll explore core areas of health science through hospital-based internships, where you observe clinical workflows, participate in basic laboratory or departmental tasks, and see how patient care is delivered. The program also includes academic sessions on anatomy, public health, and research methods. You will collaborate in small groups on a public health research project that includes reviewing literature, analyzing data, writing a paper, and preparing a presentation and academic poster based on your results. During the program, medical professionals and college students will serve as mentors, and you will participate in college preparation workshops that explore various health career options.
8. UCLA Brain Research Institute NeuroCamp
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 15–20 high school students
Program Dates: June 16 – 18, 23 – 24, and 26 – 27 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: April 27 (tentative; subject to change)
Eligibility: High school students
The UCLA Brain Research Institute NeuroCamp is a free, seven-day summer program that introduces you to core neuroscience concepts through a mix of lectures and hands-on lab work. You’ll explore foundational topics in molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, and neuroanatomy while practicing basic laboratory techniques used in these areas. Sessions are held over two weeks at UCLA, and full attendance is necessary. By the conclusion, you’ll gain a better understanding of how neuroscience research operates within an academic environment.
9. CURE Research Internship Program
Location: UCSF campuses in San Francisco, CA, and Oakland, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | Paid, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7, with mandatory orientation sessions on May 21 and June 11
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old | Required minimum GPA is 2.5 | Must have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better
The CURE Research Internship Program at UCSF offers high school students an eight-week, practical experience in biomedical research. You’ll work closely with UCSF faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students on projects across basic, clinical, behavioral, or population sciences. The program also provides career guidance sessions and college application assistance. At the end, you’ll present your research projects and findings at a final symposium.
10. UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program
Location: UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: There are limited slots
Program Dates: Exact dates not available; participants are expected to commit 50 hours to volunteering in the summer
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
UCLA Health’s Volunteen Summer Program provides high school students with an in-depth look at how a major hospital operates. You can volunteer in critical areas such as Patient Transport, Wayfinding, and various floater roles that support day-to-day hospital needs. Depending on your role, you might assist with patient transfers and discharges, provide wheelchair assistance, greet patients and families, guide visitors, or deliver mail and newspapers. Along the way, you’ll develop communication and teamwork skills while gaining exposure to real clinical and patient-centered settings.
11. Apprenticeship Bridge to College (ABC) Program at Loma Linda University
Location: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | Paid, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 16 – July 31 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: March 1 (tentative; subject to change)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors from the Inland Empire region of Southern California who can demonstrate good academic standing | Required minimum GPA is 3.0 | Must have completed at least two science courses | Must have proof of community service | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The ABC Program at Loma Linda University is an eight-week summer research program that focuses on health disparities and biomedical science. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, you will complete a hands-on research project that may explore conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or other diseases affecting underserved communities. The program also includes seminars on scientific communication, scientific integrity, and the social and biological factors that contribute to unequal health outcomes. You will get organized academic support and training in skills such as data analysis and presentation design, ending with a research symposium where you present your findings.
12. Medical Intelligence and Innovation Institute (Mi4) Summer Internship Program
Location: Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Orange, CA
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 16 – August 7 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to high school, college, graduate school, or medical school students
The Mi4 Summer Internship Program at CHOC introduces you to emerging areas shaping the future of medicine, including genomic medicine, regenerative medicine, nanomedicine, robotics, AI, and medical technology. You’ll learn from mentors across clinical, research, and administrative roles while participating in workshops on skills like ultrasound, suturing, and clinical problem-solving. The program also incorporates journal clubs, case discussions, and optional physician shadowing sessions for students aged 18 and above. You may also have the opportunity to conduct a research project on a medical innovation you believe could enhance healthcare delivery and practice, sharing your ideas through presentations. Additionally, field trips to research institutes and healthcare organizations provide practical insight into how medical innovations function in real-world environments.
13. Touro University’s High School & College Summer Healthcare Program
Location: Touro University, Vallejo, CA & Stockton, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | $600 (Students completing the high school or college summer program will also be eligible for a $1,000/year scholarship towards a Touro University California health professions program)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background (check here) | Must reside in a County north of San Francisco Bay (Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, San Joaquin)
Touro University’s High School & College Summer Healthcare Program gives you a six-week, structured look at health professions through labs, simulations, and guided academic skill-building. You’ll work through modules on career exploration, public health, clinical experience, and research. Throughout the program, you’ll gain practical lab experience in areas such as medication compounding and imaging, along with harm-reduction and CPR training. It also strengthens your foundational math, science, and study skills while introducing teamwork, communication, and professional development within healthcare environments. You will undertake a community health research project and present your findings in a poster session. Participants will receive 3 college credits and a stipend upon successful completion.
14. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, or Virtual
Cost: $1,725 (Virtual) or $3,325 (In-person) | Financial assistance available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12%
Program Dates: June 8 – 19 (CNV-X Virtual Session 1) | June 22 – July 3 (CNV-X Virtual Session 2) | July 6 – 17 (CNI-X In-person Session 1) | July 20 – 31 (CNI-X In-person Session 2)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
The CNI-X program at Stanford University is a two-week, seminar-based program that introduces you to key concepts in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Through lectures led by Stanford faculty, you’ll examine topics such as sleep and circadian rhythms, neuroimaging, interventional psychiatry, substance use disorders, neuroethics, and more. Throughout the session, you’ll practice thinking like a clinical researcher by analyzing mental health problems, asking structured questions, and engaging in group discussions. You’ll also collaborate on a small team capstone project, where you develop and present a prototype solution to a real-world mental health issue.
15. Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research: Molecular Medicine Workshops
Location: UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, or Virtual
Cost: Varies by workshop and location (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohort size varies by workshop
Program Dates: Varies by workshop and location
Application Deadline: No application deadline; acceptance is on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle and high school students aged 11–18 (varies depending on the workshop) | High school biology is recommended, not required
Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research’s Molecular Medicine Workshops introduce you to the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive human disease. Through a max of lectures and lab-based activities, you’ll study how processes like gene regulation, immune response, and cellular processes are affected by conditions such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune disorders. Depending on the session you choose, you can focus on areas like molecular neuroscience, cancer biology, immunology, aging, or AI-assisted bioinformatics. You’ll also read and discuss scientific literature and design an original project centered on a gene or molecular pathway of interest.
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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