If you’re a high schooler interested in medicine, a medical program can give you a serious head start, whether you’re curious about becoming a doctor, researcher, or just want to see if healthcare is the right fit for you. Medical programs for high school students open the door to advanced skill-building, from dissecting anatomy with modern tools to running real lab experiments or even studying neuroscience and forensic science. If you’re based in New Jersey, you’re in luck!
New Jersey is home to a wide range of universities and organizations that host these programs every year, so you don’t have to look far to find them. For local students, joining a program close to home can also be a smart financial choice, as it allows you to save on travel expenses while still accessing high-quality training.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 13 medical programs for high school students in NJ (New Jersey)!
13 Medical Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
1. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: June 25 – August 27
Application deadline: March 8 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as graduated seniors who are rising freshman undergraduates
If you are motivated to learn about cancer research in depth, the RUYES program at Rutgers Cancer Institute provides a two-summer commitment where you’ll work in labs for about 10 weeks each year. Under the mentorship of cancer researchers, you’ll engage in tasks such as designing experiments, reviewing scientific literature, and analyzing data. The program also includes professional development, preparing you to create posters and deliver presentations at the annual symposium. Throughout the school year, you’ll attend monthly sessions focused on career skills and health equity topics. RUYES also involves community engagement, where students, referred to as “community scientists,” connect lab work with broader health issues.
2. Laboratory Learning Program – Princeton University
Location: Princeton University main campus, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: 5 weeks during the summer (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents enrolled in a US high school who are 16 years old by June 15. Specific research opportunities may have additional eligibility criteria.
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program allows you to spend 5–6 weeks in the summer working full-time in a research lab alongside faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. You’ll be matched with a project in science or engineering, depending on current lab activities and availability. Past topics have included genetic research, renewable energy systems, and biomedical engineering studies. During your time in the lab, you’ll contribute directly to active research and learn about the methods and tools used by professional scientists. At the end of the program, you are required to write a two-page summary describing your project, including the goals, methods, and results.
3. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)
Location: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically open in February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underserved backgrounds with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The MINDS program, hosted by Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, is a six-week paid internship designed for rising juniors and seniors interested in medicine and public health. Through a mix of lectures, workshops, and lab activities, you’ll learn about health disparities, social determinants of health, and clinical areas like neurology, radiology, and internal medicine. You will also engage in hands-on experiences, such as brain dissections, alongside comprehensive academic support, including SAT prep and public speaking practice. You’ll work on a research project during your time in the program, gaining exposure to the research process and presenting your findings. Students receive a stipend for their participation.
4. Waksman Student Scholars Program
Location: Waksman Institute, Rutgers University, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: Begins with a 2-week summer institute; continues during the school year
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: New Jersey high school students
Through the Waksman Student Scholars Program, you can participate in a year-long molecular biology and bioinformatics research project that begins with a summer institute and continues during the school year. You’ll be trained in techniques such as DNA purification, PCR, restriction digests, and gel electrophoresis, and then apply bioinformatics tools to analyze gene sequences. The projects focus on DNA samples that have not yet been published, so your work has the potential to generate new findings. If your results are novel, they are submitted to GenBank with your name credited as a contributor, making your work part of the global DNA database. Teachers and professional scientists guide the program, and much of the research continues through science classes or clubs in your school.
5. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Kean University, NJ
Cost: 4-Week Session: $2,500 | 2-Week Session: $1,250
Dates: 4-week session: July 7 – 31 | 2-week session: July 21 – 31
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Group Summer Scholars Research Program (GSSRP) at Kean University lets you spend several weeks working in university research labs on topics like cancer biology, drug discovery, developmental biology, or computational modeling. You’ll be paired with faculty and graduate student mentors and take part in experiments, data analysis, and team-based research projects. Beyond the lab, the program includes workshops on career exploration, demonstrations of scientific equipment, and sessions highlighting academic and professional pathways in STEM.
6. Partners In Science – Liberty Science Center
Location: Liberty Science Center, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: June 25 – August 16
Application deadline: TBA. You can reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Eligibility: 11th or 12th-grade students who will be 16 years of age before July 1
Partners in Science is an eight-week summer program that matches rising juniors and seniors with scientists at research institutions across New Jersey. You’ll work under the guidance of a mentor on hands-on projects in areas such as medicine, biotechnology, or public health. Alongside lab research, the program emphasizes building communication skills through written reports and presentations of your work at the end of the summer. Students also take part in career workshops and receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program. Past participants have contributed to projects in pharmaceutical chemistry, health sciences, and molecular biology.
7. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: High School Internships
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: Arranged individually with the host faculty member
Application deadline: Varies based on arrangement with the host faculty member
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are at least 16 years old
At Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, you can pursue an independent internship by directly contacting faculty whose research aligns with your interests. Since this is not a centralized program, you’ll need to review the faculty directory, identify a professor whose work interests you, and reach out to arrange a placement. Once accepted, you’ll join a lab and contribute to ongoing projects in varied medical fields such as immunology, biomedical engineering, or molecular biology. Your role may include assisting with experiments, learning laboratory techniques, and observing how medical research is conducted on a daily basis.
8. Rutgers: Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program
Location: Rutgers Busch Campus, NJ
Cost: $925
Dates: Session 1: July 21 – 25 | Session 2: July 28 – August 1
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program is a one-week intensive at Rutgers focused on biomedical and environmental sciences. During the program, you’ll take part in lab activities while learning about areas such as pharmacogenetics, forensic toxicology, and drug metabolism. The curriculum also introduces you to lab ethics, experimental design, and research methods, providing a broad overview of how studies are structured in this field. Career discussions with professionals in medicine, pharmacy, toxicology, and biomedical science are included to help you explore future pathways.
9. High School Biomedical Scholars Program – Rowan University
Location: Rowan University, NJ
Cost: $1,500
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.2+
The High School Biomedical Scholars Program at Rowan University is a two-week summer experience that gives you the chance to explore laboratory research and biomedical sciences. You’ll work directly with faculty and graduate students from the Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and the School of Osteopathic Medicine, taking part in guided lab experiments and research-based projects. A unique component of the program is access to the Human Gross Anatomy Lab, where you can study human anatomy under professional guidance. Alongside lab sessions, you’ll attend workshops that introduce you to careers in healthcare and biomedical research while receiving advice on preparing for advanced study.
10. Montclair State University’s Pre-College Summer Program
Location: Montclair State University, NJ
Cost: $1,800
Dates: July 13 – 19 | July 20 – 26
Application deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 at the time of application
At Montclair State University’s Pre-College Summer Program, you can spend a week on campus studying a subject of your choice while experiencing residential life. For students interested in medicine, the Pre-Medical Professions track introduces you to anatomy and physiology using advanced 3D visualization through the Anatomage Table, a technology used at many medical schools. You’ll explore the body’s eleven organ systems in group sessions, practice applying anatomical concepts, and even take part in a competitive academic tournament at the end of the week. The program also includes CPR and first-aid training, plus a field trip to a local healthcare facility where you’ll observe the medical environment and interact with professionals.
11. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; virtual interns are provided a $500 stipend
Dates: 5 weeks from June to August
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the U.S. for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD, for the in-person program)
If you are interested in neuroscience, JHIBS provides a five-week virtual experience designed for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll study topics such as brain development, neurological diseases, and experimental design through lectures, workshops, and small-group discussions. Mentorship from professionals in the field helps guide your learning as you complete a research project and practice skills like data analysis and scientific communication. The program also incorporates professional development sessions that prepare you for future STEM opportunities. At the end, you’ll present your project findings to peers and faculty and receive a certificate of completion.
12. NJIT – Forensic Science Initiative
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJ
Cost: $1,525 (some scholarships are available)
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from select Newark public high schools
The Forensic Science Summer Program at NJIT is a five-week experience that introduces rising seniors to the connections between science, law, and investigation. You’ll work in forensic biology and chemistry labs on topics such as DNA analysis, trace evidence, and microscopy while learning how scientific methods are applied to crime scene investigations. Field exercises take you beyond the lab, showing how evidence is processed and presented in real investigations. To expand your perspective, the program includes visits to federal courts and the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, highlighting the broader applications of forensic science in society. You’ll also gain exposure to courtroom procedures and forensic law, providing insight into how science supports the justice system.
13. Georgetown University’s Medical Research: Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,795
Dates: Several 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions available in the summer
Application deadline: Varies based on the chosen session; applications typically close one week before the session start date
Eligibility: Open to students who are at least 13 years old
This online program from Georgetown University introduces you to the role of clinical research in medical discoveries. You’ll learn how researchers design, conduct, and interpret clinical trials, using real-world case studies to study ethics, epidemiology, and biostatistics. A key part of the course is practicing the PICO method, which is used in evidence-based medicine to frame research questions. Guided by instructors, you’ll apply these tools to develop and present a mock clinical study for your capstone project. Along the way, you’ll also explore the ethical standards that guide clinical research and gain insight into how vaccines, drugs, and treatments are developed. The program concludes with the awarding of a certificate.
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 – Georgetown University