If you’re a high school student dreaming about a future in medicine, joining a medical program can be one of the best ways to get a real feel for the field. These programs let you go far beyond what you learn in class, you get to roll up your sleeves and actually do the work. From practicing lab techniques to observing clinical care to analyzing real medical data, you’ll start building the skills that every future healthcare professional needs. Plus, you’ll meet doctors, researchers, and other students who share your passion, giving you a head start on building a network that can support you for years to come.
And if you’re in Michigan, you’re in luck. The state is packed with incredible opportunities through places like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Henry Ford Health, and Corewell Health. Choosing a program close to home can also be a smart financial move as you’ll cut down on travel costs and sometimes even get access to resident-only spots, stipends, or Michigan-specific scholarships. It’s a great way to get high-quality experience without the stress of leaving the state.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down our list of the top 13 medical program opportunities for high schoolers in Michigan.
13 Medical Programs for High School Students in Michigan
1. BioMed Focus
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; typically, 10 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically, spring
Eligibility: High school students who currently live and attend high school in Michigan and live within commutable distance of Ann Arbor
This eight-week paid research internship immerses you as a full-time researcher for collaborative work with University of Michigan scientists on active biomedical research projects. You will gain laboratory expertise under the mentorship of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, conducting experiments and analyzing data using professional scientific instrumentation. The program integrates three components: intensive hands-on research where you will exercise complex protocols and interpret findings; formal science communication training, including the drafting of scientific papers and the preparation of 10 -minute presentations; and college preparation workshops covering career pathways, essay refinement, and scholarship identification.
2. Discovery to Cure Program
Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 20 – 36 students
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors at least 16 years of age at program start
Discovery to Cure provides research and mentorship experiences under the tutelage of national and international leaders in reproductive biology, immunology, oncology, and prenatal medicine at Wayne State’s C.S. Mott Center. You will be part of work that directly contributes to scientific publications and the advancement of collective knowledge. Alumni of this rigorous program have achieved recognition, including co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications, success in science competitions like the Junior Science and Humanities Symposia, and early-action acceptances to elite universities.
3. Biomedical Career Advancement Program (BCAP)
Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Completion may result in a stipend (subject to funding)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically, 45– 60 students
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: 10th-12th grade high school students with minimum 2.75 GPA
BCAP offers an intensive, hands-on laboratory research training experience within a university medical school, where you will collaborate directly with faculty researchers on biomedical projects. You will learn molecular biology techniques, including gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microscopy, precise pipetting, and potentially even phlebotomy. This program helps you learn stringent laboratory safety protocols and scientific methodology, where you contribute meaningfully to ongoing investigations into disease mechanisms. Throughout the six weeks, mentorship from research faculty and medical school staff will guide you through the entire research process. Your independent research project culminates in a formal symposium presentation.
4. Medical Mentors Pathway Program (M2P2)
Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Mandatory orientation June 25 – 26; program: June 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (ages 17+)
M2P2 offers a six-week immersion into clinical medicine through shadowing rotations across several medical specialties, including anesthesia, emergency medicine, general surgery, cardiology, pediatrics, and neurosurgery. This exposure enables you to explore diverse career pathways within the medical field. You will complete a two-day orientation program designed to prepare you for hospital floor experiences before commencing rotations, where you will observe and learn from attending physicians and resident doctors as they manage patient care. Weekly didactic sessions and academic career guidance from program staff and volunteer mentors contextualize your clinical observations within a broader framework of medical knowledge and professional development.
5. RYSE MED Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th grade students in metro Detroit with minimum 2.5 GPA
RYSE MED provides a six-week immersion into healthcare, where you will directly shadow physicians, nurses, and research scientists across various medical specialties within Henry Ford Health. You will engage in hands-on clinical simulations and virtual reality scenarios, developing clinical reasoning and procedural skills in a controlled environment. The program explores core medical concepts through workshops focusing on health equity, healthcare administration, and the social determinants of health. The program culminates in an independent research project that requires you to investigate a health equity topic in your community and present your findings to healthcare leaders. Beyond the summer, you will continue engagement through academic-year activities, including monthly mentoring circles and professional development sessions.
6. Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery High School Mentorship Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 10 students
Dates: Saturday mornings throughout academic year; summer internship is of 6 – 8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Not specified; the application for the academic year open in fall/winter and on March 1 for the summer internship
Eligibility: Detroit-area high school students
This mentorship program provides year-round engagement, commencing with Saturday morning sessions in the Surgical Simulation Suite. Here, you will learn advanced suturing techniques, knot tying, and minimally invasive surgical skills, utilizing advanced simulation technology. You will receive comprehensive tours of Henry Ford Hospital facilities, directly interact with medical students and healthcare professionals across diverse specialties, and gain exposure to the daily realities of surgical practice and hospital-based medicine. The program selects 10 students for a paid summer internship, which offers deeper clinical exposure and personalized career guidance from the program director.
7. MYHealth Research Training Program
Location: University of Michigan (100% virtual/online)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 50 students
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students in a Southeast Michigan high school or graduated within the last six months | Age 14 or older
MYHealth introduces you to the foundational principles of health research through interactive online modules, where you will learn research methods, ethical protocols for human subjects, and study design principles. You will engage with practicing health researchers and healthcare professionals via live panels and interactive discussions, gaining direct insights into their work. Working in small teams, you will conceptualize, design, and execute your own health research project, addressing a real-world health challenge in contemporary society. This hands-on experience in research conceptualization, methodology development, and data collection will teach you skills comparable to college-level scientific inquiry.
8. Future DOcs Program
Location: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Detroit, MI
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically small cohorts
Dates: Program runs four Saturdays in March
Application December 19
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students attending Detroit-area high schools
Future DOcs provides a comprehensive medical school experience, where you will learn foundational medical sciences, including human anatomy, fundamental biochemistry, and the principles of osteopathic manipulative medicine. You will engage in hands-on simulation training in critical life support techniques such as CPR, essential first aid, and emergency response protocols. Led by current MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine students, alumni, and faculty, who serve as dedicated mentors, the program emphasizes leadership development and professional communication skills. You will gain valuable exposure to both the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Physician Assistant (PA) career paths.
9. OsteoCHAMPS Program
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (Residential on-campus)
Cost: $1,000 + $25 application fee; multiple full-tuition scholarships available for demonstrated need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; over 1,000 students have graduated since program inception
Dates: June 14 – 21
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors with minimum 3.0 GPA
OsteoCHAMPS offers an intensive eight-day residential program that combines medical coursework in anatomy and biochemistry. You will engage in workshops and receive introductory training in osteopathic medicine, and get a taste of university-level medical education. Your curriculum involves medical research project participation, where you engage in scientific inquiry, alongside specialized academic writing instruction. The program also provides access to cutting-edge MSU campus resources, including the state-of-the-art Learning and Assessment Center, and facilitates invaluable interactions with current osteopathic medical students and faculty.
10. OsteoCHAMPS-UP Program
Location: Lake Superior State University, Marquette, MI
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 27 – 29
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors residing in Upper Peninsula or upper Lower Peninsula; competitive applicants maintain 3.0 GPA or higher
This program combines core medical education with targeted clinical exposure to diverse medical specialties through hospital rotations and hands-on learning activities. You will be guided by practicing physicians and healthcare providers, gaining insights into real-world medical practice, while also learning introductory osteopathic medicine techniques and adapted core medical sciences. The program commits to providing year-round support following the summer experience, with dedicated staff maintaining contact throughout your high school and college careers. This mentorship model offers crucial guidance on healthcare career planning and academic preparation.
11. NSLC on Nursing Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $4,195 (Residential program); scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 8 – 16 and July 21 – 29
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students interested in exploring nursing careers; residential program requires supervised dormitory housing; leadership curriculum included for all students
The NSLC on Nursing program explores how compassion, advanced clinical skilsl, and professional communication integrate across all areas of patient care through laboratory simulations and clinical skills practice mirroring hospital environments. You will acquire core nursing competencies, including accurate vital sign assessment, patient communication techniques, and a deep understanding of the role nurses fulfill within interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The program provides an understanding of diverse nursing specialties and numerous career paths, from critical care to public health.
12. miRcore Research Camps
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor or Virtual
Cost: $680 – $3,300 + $70 application fee; scholarships available for low-income students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small discussion-based cohorts of 5 – 6 students per teaching assistant
Dates: Varies as per type of camp between June 16 and August 15
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students and incoming freshmen
The Computational Biology camp focuses on genomics and transcriptomics research, where you will learn to analyze patient RNA expression data using advanced computational methods to pinpoint biomarkers associated with specific diseases. You will collaborate in small groups, each selecting a disease focus, then utilize professional research tools and expansive datasets to explore diagnostics or therapeutic avenues. Advanced participants can progress to the Sequencing Your Genome program, which includes personal genome sequencing followed by sophisticated computational analysis utilizing access to the University of Michigan’s high-performance computing cluster for a full year.
13. Future Nurse Summer Camp
Location: University of Michigan-Flint
Cost: $40 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 16 – 17
Application Deadline: July 5
Eligibility: High school students grades 9 – 12
This two-day camp introduces you to the world of nursing through interactive, hands-on activities designed by University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing faculty, staff, and current nursing students. You will develop an understanding of nursing educational pathways, explore the diverse roles and responsibilities nurses fulfill within healthcare teams, and gain insight into the competencies required for nursing. The camp significantly emphasizes self-efficacy development, making you better ready and capable for demanding nursing careers while addressing any concerns or misconceptions you may have about nursing practice.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like neuroscience, epidemiology, biochemistry, public health, and computational biology, 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 – Wayne State University School of Medicine