Chicago is one of the best places to start exploring medicine as a high school student, with world-class hospitals, universities, and research centers all in one city. Medical programs give you the chance to move beyond textbooks and experience the world of healthcare, whether that’s practicing clinical skills, assisting with lab research, or learning directly from doctors and scientists. Participating in a medical program can help you build advanced skills early on, from problem-solving in patient care to analyzing real medical data.
Since Chicago is home to so many universities and medical institutions, there’s a wide range of programs offered every year, designed to match different interests within the field of medicine. For local students, choosing a program close to home can also be a smart financial choice, giving you access to big opportunities without the cost of travel or living away for the summer.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up 15 medical programs for high school students in Chicago that can help you explore the world of healthcare and discover what excites you most about the field.
15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Chicago
1. Rush University Medical Center: MedSTEM Explorers
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors from Chicago (weighted GPA 2.5)
During the MedSTEM Explorers program at Rush University Medical Center, classes run twice a week on campus, where you’ll join workshops, research projects, and discussions about health issues affecting Chicago communities. Alongside exploring different career paths, you’ll receive college-readiness training that focuses on collaboration, problem-solving, and time management. The program also includes opportunities to earn basic healthcare certifications such as CPR and first aid. Students who perform strongly may be invited to continue with the MedSTEM Pathways internship.
2. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: Various colleges in Chicago
Stipend: Taxable stipend of $3,000
Dates: Second week of June – first week of August
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) residing in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
During ResearcHStart, you’ll join a research lab for the summer, studying fields such as immunology, pharmacology, bioengineering, and health disparities. The program integrates faculty lectures, skill-building workshops, and mentoring to support your work. By participating, you not only conduct hands-on lab research but also learn how cancer affects communities both scientifically and socially. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your findings to peers, scientists, and your community.
3. CHESS: Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Dates: June 16 – August 8 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: January 20 (as per previous year)
Eligibility: High school students completing sophomore, junior, or senior years from underrepresented backgrounds
As a participant in the Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS) program, you will be matched with a faculty lab and work on an independent research project in areas such as molecular biology, computational science, or biostatistics. The program is designed to support high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in cancer research and health careers. Besides lab work, you attend lectures, workshops, and training sessions that build your scientific and professional skills. At the end of the program, you present your findings at the Cancer Center’s annual student research symposium.
4. NM GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program
Location: Various locations across Chicago
Stipend: $1,200; Additional stipends up to $2,000 available for qualifying students based on financial need and placement site
Dates: Two-year program with monthly sessions; Fall session begins November 15
Application Deadline: August 4 – September 29
Eligibility: First-year applicants must be 15+, entering sophomore or junior year of high school, and have an academic GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0
Northwestern Medicine’s GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program introduces you to the healthcare field through a series of structured sessions held during the school year. Each month, you’ll take part in activities such as hospital tours, clinical skills workshops, and discussions with healthcare professionals. The curriculum also emphasizes professional development, including leadership training, mentorship, and opportunities for community service. By engaging with physicians and staff across multiple specialties, you’ll develop a clearer picture of how hospitals and medical systems operate.
5. Northwestern Medicine: Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 23 – August 1 (as per previous years)
Application Deadline: January 26 (as per previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older by program start
The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine gives rising high school seniors the chance to participate in paid biomedical research. Over six to eight weeks, you work full-time in a lab within the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, contributing to studies that address lung disease. Each student is paired with a faculty mentor and assigned a project that may be basic or clinical in nature, offering a direct look into ongoing scientific investigations. The program accepts a small cohort of students each year, and it concludes with presentations at the Summer Research Symposium.
6. University of Illinois College of Medicine: Summer Science Internship
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Dates: June 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students (16+) from eligible high schools
During the Summer Science Internship, you will spend two months in a research team, where you will work under the guidance of faculty and scientists, focusing on areas such as drug discovery, vaccine development, or cancer research. The program, supported by a partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific, is open to students from the Rockford School District and surrounding communities. Only five students are selected each year, making it a competitive opportunity. The program ends with a research forum where you share your work through oral presentations and posters. You’ll also receive training in professional skills like resume building, interviewing, teamwork, and presenting scientific findings.
7. UChicago Summer Session – 3 Week Immersion: Medicine Track
Location: The University of Chicago
Cost: Residential: $8,900; Need-based financial aid available
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – July 4; Session 2: July 7 – July 26
Application Deadline: Priority: January 22; Regular: March 5; Extended: April 15
Eligibility: Current high school students in 9th-11th grade (14+)
The University of Chicago’s three-week Immersion program allows you to take undergraduate-level, credit-bearing courses in subjects such as medicine, biology, and neuroscience. If you choose the medicine track, you might study molecular biology, infectious disease, biotechnology, or developmental psychology, while also working on research projects and seminar-style discussions. Faculty and researchers lead the classes, giving you direct access to experts in the field.
8. NSLC: High School Summer Medical Program
Location: Multiple locations, including Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $750/program; $1,400 for AM+PM
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students must be between the ages of 14 and 18 and have completed at least one year of high school
NSLC hosts a summer medical program at Northwestern University, where you’ll experience healthcare through lectures, simulations, and clinical workshops. You’ll work with medical professionals while practicing skills such as suturing, surgical knot tying, and diagnosing patient cases. The program also incorporates public health discussions, ethics training, and anatomy workshops to broaden your understanding of medicine beyond clinical practice. Further, you’ll take part in group projects such as public service announcements or health campaigns, combining science with leadership and teamwork.
9. UChicago 4 Week Practicum
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $14,490; Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 14 – July 12
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Current high school students in 10th or 11th grade (15+)
The University of Chicago offers two intensive four-week summer practicums designed for high school students interested in scientific research. In Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS), you’ll spend two weeks learning essential lab techniques before applying them to an independent research project in areas such as genetics, microbiology, and cancer biology. The program also includes reading scientific literature, keeping a lab notebook, and presenting your findings in a research forum.
10. University of Chicago: Chicago EYES on Cancer
Location: University of Chicago
Stipend: $5,000 per year
Dates: Two 8-week summer sessions (June – August)
Application Deadline: Varies (released each fall)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, or college freshmen/sophomores (16+)
Over two consecutive summers, you’ll work full-time in the University of Chicago labs on projects that may involve basic, translational, clinical, or population-based cancer research. The program also includes a lecture series on cancer topics, monthly workshops during the academic year, and career development activities. Mentorship is central, and you are guided by faculty, professionals, and peers throughout the program. At the program conclusion, you’ll get to showcase your research at a symposium, highlighting the progress you’ve made over your two summers in the lab.
11. UChicago Medicine’s SHE (Summer Healthcare Experience) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500 taxable stipend
Dates: 2 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school students in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
The Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology curriculum includes genetics-based research projects, clinical case studies, and faculty-led lectures on cancer biology, diagnosis, and treatment. You’ll also receive a home laboratory kit to complete hands-on experiments that reinforce concepts covered in class. Daily sessions include workshops and panel discussions with professionals from across the country, providing insight into career pathways in medicine and science.
12. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: 5 weeks (June – August)
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in the U.S. and Canada
JHIBS offers a five-week virtual summer experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. Through online sessions, you’ll learn about brain development, neurological diseases, and experimental research methods. The program combines lectures, workshops, and small-group mentoring to help you practice skills like experimental design and data interpretation. You’ll also complete a research project under guidance and present your findings to peers and faculty at the end of the program. Students who complete the program receive a certificate recognizing their participation.
13. CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (16+)
The CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course is a weeklong academic program that introduces you to the core areas of public health. Through daily assignments and live sessions, you explore topics such as epidemiology, environmental health, outbreak investigations, health disparities, and global health. The course blends independent work with discussions led by CDC experts and museum educators, giving you both flexibility and direct engagement with professionals. You’ll analyze data, review case studies, and apply scientific reasoning to public health challenges. To complete the program, you are required to attend live sessions and submit assignments on time throughout the week. Successful participants receive a certificate of completion.
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!
Image source – UChicago Medicine