If you’re a high school student in New York thinking about medicine as a career, a summer program in the city can show you what it’s really like to work in the field and with your community. You’ll spend a few weeks in local labs, classrooms, or hospitals, trying out activities like basic medical procedures, research experiments, or case studies.
Many programs are offered by universities, hospitals, and research centers around New York. Choosing a local program makes it easier on your budget because you won’t have to pay for long-distance travel or housing. You’ll also have the chance to meet faculty, mentors, and other students interested in medicine, which can help you figure out which areas excite you most.
Taking part in a summer medical program can give you experience that goes beyond the classroom. It can make your college applications stronger, give you material to talk about in essays or interviews, and help you explore the kind of work you want to pursue in the future.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 15 summer medical programs in New York for high school students! You can also check out our blog on summer research programs for high school students in NYC.
15 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in New York
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective | Group classes have a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: December 14 – February 15 (Winter Cohort); 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; October 19 (Winter I) | November 30 (Winter II)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python
Veritas AI offers programs for high school students interested in learning about artificial intelligence and its real-world uses. If you’re interested in learning how AI is applied in healthcare, the Deep Dive: AI + Medicine program will allow you to learn from AI experts through lectures, coding notebooks, and hands-on projects based on real medical cases. You’ll explore how AI is changing healthcare by working on projects that use machine learning and AI to diagnose diseases, improve medical scans, and explain results to help doctors and patients. You’ll also study how AI is applied in genomics, hospital admissions, drug discovery, neuroscience, and more. Past students have developed projects that combine AI with medicine, mental health, and other fields. You can review past projects and the program brochure for more information.
3. Columbia University’s YES in the HEIGHTS
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; students are paid for 8 weeks of full-time research.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; exact acceptance rate not publicly disclosed
Dates: 8-week summer program (exact dates vary annually)
Application Deadline: Typically late January
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents in good academic standing with a strong interest and aptitude in science
Columbia University’s YES in the HEIGHTS program is a two-summer research internship focused on cancer and health equity. Hosted by the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, it places high school students in full-time lab settings. In the first summer, you get training in lab skills, take part in journal clubs, and begin working on a mentor’s project or your own. You also attend sessions on writing abstracts, giving presentations, and professional conduct. The second summer builds on this with more advanced research work, ending with an oral presentation of your findings.
4. Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center’s BEYOND ALBERT
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free with a $2,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is selective
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students in the Bronx who are at least 16 and are entering the 11th and 12th grades in the fall
The BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program is a year-round research opportunity for Bronx students aged 16 and older. It begins with an eight-week summer session where you work full-time in labs, attend seminars and workshops, and design a research project under the guidance of faculty. The after-school component runs weekly from September to May and offers continued mentorship, talks, and skill-building. Participants receive a $2,500 stipend along with meal vouchers and transportation support.
5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) research lab, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Students receive a stipend of $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2% (around 20 students are selected)
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors live within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus, with a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects, aged 14 years or older
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program is an eight-week internship where you work in a biomedical or computational research lab under the guidance of a mentor. You contribute to a project while learning technical skills and experiencing the daily work of MSK’s research community. Alongside lab work, you attend meetings, seminars, and professional development sessions led by scientists, clinicians, and staff. The program combines independent research with career-focused training, giving you exposure to both science and its applications in medicine.
6. Columbia University (VP&S) Medicine and Research Summer Program
Location: Virtual via Zoom with optional in-person components at Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based; cost varies based on time of application
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20 – August 29
Application Deadline: Varies based on discounts given by the program. May 31 is the last deadline with late fees.
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide interested in medicine, research, and community health
Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons runs a 10-week summer program for high school and undergraduate students interested in medicine and research. You attend lectures from physicians and medical students and take part in workshops on ethics, narrative medicine, and clinical skills like patient history-taking. You also get structured training in research methods, including analyzing health data, reviewing scientific literature, and writing a manuscript on a topic of your choice. You can also choose to earn certification as a Community Health Literacy Worker, focusing on public health education related to conditions like stroke and dementia.
7. Columbia University- Biomedical Engineering: Where Biology, Medicine & Design Meet
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost/Stipend: Commuter Fee: $5,880; Residential Fee: $10,705; Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – July 25 | July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: All current high school students (freshmen to seniors) are eligible for the commuter option. Students who are 16 and above are eligible for the residential option.
The Columbia University Pre-College Program lets you explore STEM fields through specialized courses, including Biomedical Engineering: Where Biology, Medicine & Design Meet. You learn how engineering and medicine intersect to create technologies like prosthetics, pacemakers, and diagnostic tools. In labs, you work on biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging, while design sessions teach rapid prototyping with 3D printing and laser engraving. By the end, you build your own biomedical device, applying scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills.
8. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Students will receive a $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Spring session: February 27 – May 22 | Summer session: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: Applications open November 1 and close in early January
Eligibility: You must be 16 years or older by the orientation date and live or attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace
The Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace is a six-month research experience for New York City public and charter high school students interested in biology and genetic engineering. You get hands-on lab training in techniques like DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and genetic modification while working on research projects alongside peers and scientist mentors. You also tour research labs and biotech companies to see professional science environments. Beyond lab skills, you build science communication skills through improv training, presentations, and public speaking mentorship. The program ends with sharing your research as part of a city-wide network of teen science interns.
9. DNA Learning Center Urban Barcode Research Program
Location: DNA Learning Center at City Tech, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Students will receive a $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 36 students
Dates: The first required lab training course will take place from August 25 to August 29, and additional sessions will be scheduled during the school year
Application Deadline: May 27
Eligibility: Rising junior or senior in high school, aged 16 years or older
The Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) at the DNA Learning Center lets you conduct real biodiversity research using DNA barcoding. Each year, 36 students are selected to receive training in biodiversity, conservation biology, and molecular techniques before starting independent research projects. You learn skills like proposal writing, sample collection, DNA isolation, amplification, and data analysis while applying molecular biology to ecological challenges. Working with scientist and educator mentors, you design and carry out your project from field sampling to data interpretation. You also access events and resources through the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium.
10. Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: There are no tuition charges/fees; however, participants are responsible for their own transportation/dining costs (commuters) and/or residential costs, which is $2360.25 (estimated). Check more details here | Students will receive a stipend; amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school junior aged 16 years or older | Must be a U.S. citizen and/or permanent resident
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a six-week STEM research experience for high school juniors. As a Simons Fellow, you are matched with a faculty mentor and placed in an active research lab in areas like biochemistry, neurobiology, geosciences, physics, or computer science. You conduct hands-on research, design experiments, analyze data, and follow scientific protocols. Weekly seminars, lab tours, and workshops help you interpret peer-reviewed literature, write abstracts, and understand the broader research landscape. The program ends with a poster symposium where you present your findings and receive a stipend for your work.
11. Columbia University’s Pre-College Summer Programs- Introduction to Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY, or Online
Cost: In-person Residential: $12,764 Commuter: $6,310 | Online (2 weeks): $3,965
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Acceptance rates for this program are not publicly detailed
Dates: In person: June 30 – July 18 and July 22 – August 8 | Online July 7 – July 18 and July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February/March
Eligibility:
Columbia University’s Introduction to Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain is a pre-college summer course for high school students. The program combines lectures, group exercises, and independent assignments to explore how the brain works, from evolution to human behavior. You study sensation, perception, decision-making, neuropharmacology, and neural development, and learn modern neuroscience tools like imaging techniques, animal models, and computational methods. You also build brain models, critique scientific papers, and work with real neural data, with asynchronous assignments to reinforce what you learn in class.
12. Health Scholars Program at Maimonides Medical Center
Location: Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is selective
Dates: Varies depending on the rotation | In summer, three-month internships are offered between June and September
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students 16 years of age and older
The Health Scholars Program at Maimonides Medical Center is a three-month internship for high school and college students interested in healthcare. You work in the Emergency Department, rotating through adult and pediatric units, observing physicians, nurses, and other staff while helping patients and families. You also attend lectures on pathology, physiology, and patient care to build a foundation in clinical medicine. Interns are treated as part of the healthcare team and may have the chance to assist with ongoing Emergency Department research if additional training is completed.
13. Health Care Careers Exploration Program at RIT
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Cost: $850 (Students can receive a $1,000 scholarship and an application fee waiver when enrolling at RIT/NTID.)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students
Dates: July 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Deaf or hard-of-hearing students who are entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall and are in excellent academic standing
The Health Care Careers Exploration Program at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a one-week summer program for deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students in Grades 10–12. You explore healthcare fields through hands-on demonstrations and interactive sessions in biology, microbiology, nursing, nutrition, exercise science, and medical laboratory science. You gain skills and knowledge to help choose college majors and career paths in health. The program also includes CPR certification, field trips to local medical facilities, and evening social activities like swimming, bowling, and movie nights to connect with peers.
14. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to rising seniors, residing and attending school in New York City
The Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is a six-week paid summer program for New York City high school students interested in data science, statistics, and cancer research. You learn statistics and R programming through hands-on sessions and work with professional biostatisticians to analyze real cancer datasets, develop research questions, and present your findings. The program also includes SAT prep, college readiness workshops, and career development sessions, giving you a full academic and research experience.
15. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s Brooklyn Scholar Athletes with Academic Goals Program
Location: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No details are mentioned
Dates: June 25 – July 26
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students | Preference given to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Brooklyn Scholar Athletes with Academic Goals (BK-SWAG) Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is for NYC high school students who want to link sports with healthcare careers. You explore sports medicine and health sciences through workshops, clinical shadowing, and mentorship from healthcare professionals. The program includes sessions on health disparities, mental health, and academic skills, and you earn CPR certification, practice first aid, and build teamwork and leadership abilities. Field trips, community service, and group research projects give you hands-on experience, combining professional exposure with personal growth.
Image source – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center