If you’re a high school student in the Bay Area thinking about medicine or healthcare, local programs can give you a real sense of what the field is like without having to spend a lot of money on housing or travel. These programs cover topics such as biology, anatomy, public health, and medical research, and they let you see how healthcare professionals work on a day-to-day basis.
Bay Area universities, hospitals, and medical organizations run programs where you might spend time in labs, attend workshops, shadow doctors or nurses, or work with other students on projects. Being local also makes it easier on your schedule and your wallet, since you won’t need to pay for long-distance travel or housing. Participating in these programs not only helps you understand medicine better, but it also adds experience to your resume and college applications.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 15 medical programs in the Bay Area for high school students!
15 Medical Programs for High School Students in the Bay Area
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
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. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Virtual or in person at the Stanford School of Medicine campus, Stanford, CA
Cost: Summer sessions: $6,380 (In person) | $4,380 (Virtual) + $95 application fee; Fall Intensive: $1,980 (Virtual) + $35 application fee
Cohort Size: Maximum 24 students per class
Dates: Summer Sessions: July 14 – July 25 (In person) | July 28 – August 8 (Virtual); Fall Intensive: September 10 – November 12 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 24 (Summer) | May 1 – June 2 (Fall Intensive)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and undergraduate pre-medical students who are 16 or older
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship (CSI) allows you to explore what it’s like to practice medicine. You’ll learn from Stanford medical students, residents, and faculty about the science and human side of healthcare. You can choose from three options: on-campus summer sessions, live Zoom sessions, or a 10-week virtual fall intensive for a more flexible schedule. Online sessions are live, not pre-recorded. You’ll dissect real organs like the heart, brain, and kidney with supply kits, work through real clinical cases, and practice injections, suturing, and vital signs. You’ll also build differential diagnoses, read patient histories, join simulated medical team challenges, and get mentorship from Stanford faculty and students.
4. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: Multiple sites across the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | High school students earn a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who have a minimum 3.0 GPA, have completed at least one year of math and biology, and will be 16 or older by June 1
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program is a nine-week, full-time program for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research. You work in local labs, clinics, or community health sites on mentored projects in areas like basic science, clinical studies, or public health. You attend weekly seminars led by UCSF MDs and PhDs, join journal clubs, and receive guidance throughout the summer. The program ends with a research symposium where you present your findings to peers and professionals.
5. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: 24 students
Dates: June 23 – July 25; in-person orientation is on June 20
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation college-bound high school juniors living in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. You’ll attend workshops, lectures, and networking events at Stanford Medicine as well as work on a group research project on public health disparities. Past projects have looked at issues like low birth weight in African American mothers, language access in hospitals, and racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. Your team will share its findings through a paper, presentation, and poster. During the program, you’ll intern at Stanford Hospital, shadow healthcare professionals, and learn about different careers in medicine.
6. FACES Summer Medical Academy
Location: Samuel Merritt University, Oakland (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: $2,800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 or older who are interested in learning about health careers
The FACES Summer Medical Academy (FSMA) is a program for high school students interested in pursuing a medical career, building clinical skills, or exploring the art of medicine. You’ll connect with mentors and peers, learn to save lives, respond to emergencies, explore diagnosis and treatment options, and meet healthcare professionals. During the program, you’ll get certified in Mental Health First Aid, practice suturing and wound care, and take field trips to advanced medical facilities. You’ll gain professional health skills, earn resume-boosting certifications, and explore different health careers. You’ll also work on problem-based learning activities with experts and strengthen your leadership and teamwork abilities.
7. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $40 application fee (waivable based on financial need) | All interns receive a $500 stipend, with up to $2,500 in additional need-based support available
Cohort Size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and will be 16 or older by the start of the program
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) program lets you conduct real medical research alongside Stanford faculty, researchers, and students. You get one-on-one mentoring in a lab and hands-on experience on scientific projects. Labs are assigned based on your interests, and you can choose from eight areas, including cardiovascular biology, immunology, bioinformatics, stem cell and regenerative medicine, genetics, bioengineering, neurobiology, and cancer biology. Each day includes morning lectures, afternoon lab sessions, and weekly group discussions. By the end, you design and present a research poster about your project. There’s also a bioengineering boot camp option for hands-on learning without lab placement.
8. CURE (Community, Urban, Research, and Education) Internship Program at UCSF
Location: Multiple UCSF campuses in San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a stipend
Cohort Size: 10–15 students
Dates: June 16 – August 8; orientation takes place on June 12 and 13
Application Deadline: December 2 – February 16
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with at least a 2.5 GPA who have earned a B or better in Biology or Chemistry and will be 16 or older by the start of the program
UCSF’s CURE Internship Program is a paid, eight-week summer program for high school juniors from underserved backgrounds interested in health sciences or biomedical research. You work 40 hours a week with a UCSF faculty member, postdoctoral scholar, or graduate student mentor. You gain hands-on experience in behavioral science, basic science, clinical research, or population health and complete a research project to present at a one-day symposium. The program also helps you explore science majors, learn about research careers, and plan your next steps in healthcare or biomedical fields, with training and guidance to build your skills.
9. The Lawrence Hall of Science Summer Teen Research Programs – Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics
Location: University of California, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: $1,465, with an extra $1,255 for the residential option
Cohort Size: Small class sizes
Dates: June 23 – June 27 (Session 1) | July 7 – July 11 (Session 2) | July 21 – July 25 (Session 4)
Application Deadline: June 15 (Session 1) | June 29 (Sessions 2 & 4); rolling admissions
Eligibility: Bay Area students entering grades 10–12 can apply. Session 1 is open to all, including beginners. Sessions 2 and 4 are for students with some biology experience and include faster-paced lessons and extra experiments.
UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science offers a week-long program where you can learn how science is applied in real life and explore college life. Programs cover a variety of topics, including biotechnology, genetics, AI, psychology, field ecology, climate data, and marine biology. If you’re interested in medical science, the Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics program lets you explore biotechnology and see how CRISPR is used for gene editing. You’ll practice techniques like bacterial transformation with plasmid DNA, restriction enzyme mapping, gel electrophoresis, CRISPR gene editing, sterile lab work, and discuss the ethics of gene editing.
10. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based scholarships are available | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Each year, more than 400 students apply, but fewer than 20 are selected
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who live in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Alameda, Santa Clara, or San Mateo counties, are 16 or older, have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA, and have a background in programming, biology, or chemistry
Stanford’s Genomics Research Internship Program (GRIPS) is an eight-week program for local high school students interested in computational genetics and genomics. You spend about 20 hours a week in a lab working on a genomics project with a mentor. Your experience with coding in Python, R, or Java is considered when matching you with a lab. You also attend weekly cohort sessions, seminars, and career panels on biomedical research, meet regularly with your mentor, and connect with other students and researchers. The program runs Monday through Friday, usually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
11. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $3,200 for part-time and $4,500 for full-time work
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending a San Francisco charter school or an SFUSD high school
The SEP High School Intern Program is an eight-week opportunity for local high school juniors to explore biomedical research at the University of California, San Francisco laboratories. You’ll be paired with a scientist who will help you work on a research project based on your interests. You can work on projects in fields like immunology, developmental biology, molecular biology, cancer research, neuroscience, stem cell research, or infectious diseases. Throughout the internship, you’ll meet researchers and build your science communication skills. You’ll also get help with college prep, including writing personal statements, building resumes, reviewing transcripts, exploring financial aid options, and going on campus tours.
12. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Virtual or in person at Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: $1,595 (Virtual) | $2,895 (In-person); scholarships and financial aid are available
Acceptance Rate: Approximately 12%
Dates: CNV-X (Virtual): June 16 – June 27; CNI-X (In-person): July 7 – July 18 | July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are aged 14–18
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is for students interested in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. You work in small groups on a capstone project, attend classes, and learn about the latest research from Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Sessions cover neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, and behavioral and social sciences. This year’s theme, “Clinical Neuroscience for the Whole Person,” focuses on new brain research and approaches to clinical care. You also get self-care tips, explore careers in science and medicine, and present your group project at the end of the program.
13. Touro University California High School & College Summer Healthcare Program
Location: Touro University California, Vallejo, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | High school students earn a $600 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds who live in Solano, Contra Costa, Napa, or San Joaquin County (north of the San Francisco Bay)
Touro University’s Summer Healthcare Program is a six-week program where you explore careers in health professions. You take part in hands-on activities like the Food as Medicine lab, clinical simulations, and medication compounding labs. You also work with peers on a community research project, strengthen your math and science skills, and learn about public health. Career and peer mentoring help you prepare for college or graduate school applications. By the end, you earn three college credits, and completing the program makes you eligible for a $1,000 annual scholarship toward a Touro University California health professions program.
14. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free except for a non-refundable $50 application fee | Admitted students with financial need may qualify for a $3,000 stipend
Cohort Size: Around 40 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older by the program’s start, have a 3.0+ unweighted GPA, and live and attend school in San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a 6-week summer program for students interested in medicine, biology, and research. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and placed in a lab focused on maternal and child health, spending about 30 hours a week on your research project. Your mentor and their team will guide you through the process, and you’ll wrap up the program by creating and presenting a research poster at the final symposium.
15. Stanford University’s Clinical Anatomy Summer Program (CASP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: $4,000; need-based scholarships are available
Cohort Size: Limited spots are available
Dates: June 8 – June 12 | June 22 – June 26 | July 6 – July 10 | July 20 – July 24
Application Deadline: November 11 – March 6
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 15 years old by the program’s start
Stanford’s Clinical Anatomy Summer Program (CASP) is a one-week program for high school students interested in medicine, nursing, surgery, EMT/paramedic care, dentistry, physical therapy, sports medicine, biomedical engineering, or medical education. You focus on anatomy with real clinical applications, attending lectures from Stanford’s Clinical Anatomy faculty, visiting labs, touring campus, hearing from guest speakers, and practicing dissection and suturing using surgical tools. You also join workshops and observe surgical demonstrations led by Stanford physicians.
Image source – Stanford University