If you are a high school student dreaming about becoming a doctor, surgeon, researcher, or neurologist, medicine programs can be one of the most exciting ways to explore that path early. These opportunities go far beyond textbooks. You get to step into real labs, observe clinical environments, and learn directly from healthcare professionals who are shaping the future of medicine. Instead of just memorizing biology concepts, you start to understand how medicine actually works in the real world, from diagnosing patients to designing new treatments.
Why explore medicine programs in high school?
Getting early exposure to medicine helps you figure out what truly excites you before you reach college. Whether it’s exploring human anatomy, understanding disease biology, or learning how hospitals operate, these programs build confidence, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills. They also help you stand out on college applications by showing a genuine commitment to healthcare and scientific learning.
With that, here are 14 medicine programs for high school students that you should check out!
14 Medicine Programs for High School Students
1. DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $3,600
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 14
Eligibility: High school students (18+)
The DACCPM Summer Research Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center is a ten-week mentored experience designed to introduce you to both laboratory and clinical research. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor in anesthesiology, critical care, or pain medicine, and assigned a research project exploring topics such as cancer recurrence, chemotherapy-induced pain, or opioid use. The program begins with a Cancer Biology boot camp using The Biology of Cancer textbook by Robert Weinberg, followed by lectures, literature reviews, and laboratory safety training. The summer concludes with a poster symposium and abstract submission, allowing you to share your work with MD Anderson’s research community.
2. Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute: Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $2,400
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: U.S. rising and graduating high school seniors (16+)
The Summer Scholars Research Program is a six-week full-time internship that immerses you in cancer research under the mentorship of a physician or laboratory investigator. You’ll get to engage in hands-on work in labs or clinical settings, attend lectures from oncology professionals, and take field trips to institutions such as the CDC and Georgia Tech to gain broader exposure to health sciences. You’ll also learn laboratory and analytical techniques while exploring topics like molecular oncology, clinical trials, or cancer biology. The program culminates with a symposium where you’ll present your findings to researchers, clinicians, and guests.
3. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 7 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school rising sophomores to rising seniors who reside and attend school in New York City with an interest in quantitative subjects
The Bridge to Biostats Summer Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is a six-week paid experience designed to introduce you to the use of data science and statistics in cancer research. You’ll learn fundamental statistics, programming in R, and the principles of “statistical thinking,” while completing a mentored cancer data analysis project. The program includes mentoring by professional biostatisticians and academic development sessions such as SAT preparation and college readiness workshops. You’ll present your findings at the program’s conclusion.
4. Houston Methodist’s High School Emerging Researcher Experience
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) with a minimum 3.5 GPA
Houston Methodist’s High School Emerging Researcher Experience immerses high-achieving juniors and seniors in translational biomedical research. You will be paired with faculty mentors and work on research projects aligned with your mentor’s field, gaining exposure to experimental design and lab procedures. You’ll collaborate with undergraduate interns and participate in workshops focused on career development, research ethics, and presentation skills. The program also integrates professional networking opportunities through seminars, receptions, and community events. It culminates in a research symposium, where you present your work in a professional poster format.
5. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ, with work authorization in the U.S.
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program is a highly competitive program with an acceptance rate of around 10%. It is designed to engage high school students in biomedical research, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. As a participant, you’ll work full-time alongside Monell scientists on projects in areas such as sensory biology, neuroscience, and medical research, developing laboratory and data-analysis skills through hands-on experimentation. You’ll conclude the summer by preparing a technical research poster and presenting your findings at a public symposium attended by scientists, mentors, and family members.
6. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend may be offered
Dates: June 25 – August 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: November 4 – March 8 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+) attending school in the Tri-state area (NJ, NY, PA, CT)
The RUYES Program immerses students in long-term, mentored cancer research while emphasizing community engagement and health equity. Over two consecutive summers, you will work about 35 hours per week in Rutgers laboratories, conducting independent research under faculty supervision. In addition to lab experience, you will attend seminars on cancer biology, scientific literature review, and research ethics, while preparing poster presentations for the Annual Research Day. The program extends beyond the summer through monthly professional development sessions and outreach activities, encouraging participants, known as “Community Scientists”, to connect biomedical research with real public health challenges.
7. UT Health San Antonio: Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy (VBRA)
Location: UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 7 weeks during the summer for 3 years
Application Deadline: February 6 – March 7
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores (15+) who meet the grade criteria: 90% or above in Math, Science, and English; 85% if in Pre-AP, AP, or Dual Credit courses
The Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy at UT Health San Antonio is a three-year program designed to develop high school students into future biomedical researchers. In the first year, you’ll take part in a seven-week summer session focused on hands-on lab research and foundational biomedical concepts. In the following years, you’ll progress to independent research under faculty mentorship, working on studies related to disease mechanisms, diagnostics, or therapeutics. You’ll also engage in enrichment activities during the academic year and present your findings in symposia.
8. 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 & juniors from Chicago with a weighted GPA of 2.5
MedSTEM Explorers at Rush University Medical Center is a six-week paid pre-internship program that introduces you to STEM and healthcare careers. As a participant, you’ll attend in-person workshops twice weekly, exploring real-world health issues affecting Chicago communities through research projects, group discussions, and professional panels. The program covers college and career readiness, building key skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and time management. You can also earn CPR and first aid certifications while gaining insight into the day-to-day work of healthcare professionals. If you perform well, you may be invited to join the MedSTEM Pathways internship program.
9. Novant Health Bridges to Healthcare High School Internship
Location: Raleigh-area medical centers, NC
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 16 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students attending one of the partner schools in the Charlotte or Winston-Salem areas with a minimum 2.5 GPA and a household income of $40,000 or less
The Bridges to Healthcare High School Internship at Novant Health is a paid summer opportunity aimed at exposing high school students to the diverse range of careers within the medical field. During this six-to-eight-week program, you will rotate through both clinical and non-clinical departments such as nursing, radiology, IT, and community outreach, gaining first-hand knowledge of hospital operations. The program also includes workshops on resume writing, teamwork, and personal finance, alongside one-on-one mentoring from healthcare professionals.
10. Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS)
Location: University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Cook County high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (16+) from underrepresented backgrounds
The CHESS program provides an eight-week mentored research experience focused on cancer science and public health. As a participant, you’ll work with faculty mentors and conduct research in fields such as molecular biology, computational science, or biostatistics, with an emphasis on health disparities and equity. Coursework includes sessions on bioethics, scientific writing, and health informatics, delivered by faculty from multiple partner institutions. The program ends with a student symposium where you’ll present your findings to mentors and peers.
11. BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship at UCLA
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors intending to mentor interns in the next year
The BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship at UCLA provides you with direct exposure to clinical and research work focused on pediatric concussions and brain injury. As an intern, you’ll collaborate with physicians, scientists, and medical students in the CARE4Kids study—one of the largest investigations into long-term concussion effects. You’ll assist with participant recruitment, neurocognitive testing, and data collection while observing real-world clinical assessments. You’ll also attend weekly research meetings that will deepen your understanding of how medical studies are structured and analyzed. The internship concludes with a presentation of your research project, reflecting the knowledge and practical skills you’ve developed through hands-on work in neuroscience and sports medicine.
12. The Health Museum: DeBakey Cell Lab Internship
Location: The Health Museum, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 17 – July 27 (tentative)
Application Deadline: April 30 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students (15+) who are currently enrolled in Houston Independent School District (HISD) schools with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
The DeBakey Cell Lab Internship at The Health Museum offers a six-week introduction to biomedical science in a lab-based educational setting. As an intern, you’ll help facilitate interactive lab experiences for visitors while receiving weekly instruction in genetics, public health, data science, and science communication. Under the mentorship of professionals from the Texas Medical Center, you’ll work at least 20 hours per week, rotating through lab shifts and attending Saturday development sessions. The internship fosters teamwork and leadership by engaging interns in both laboratory and public education activities.
13. BioBus Junior Scientist Internship
Location: Harlem and Lower East Side, NY
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Dates: Summer: July 7 – August 15; Year-round: October 1 – June 15
Application Deadline: March 24
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 (specific criteria apply)
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship engages New York City high school students in hands-on research and community science education. Working in a community laboratory, you’ll design and conduct your own research project using advanced microscopy and other lab tools under the mentorship of research scientists. The internship spans the academic year, during which you also co-teach science lessons and public demonstrations to younger students. Regular meetings, mentorship, and presentation sessions help you build communication and leadership skills while contributing to STEM outreach.
14. Columbia Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (BrainSTORM)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Seminar Series: November – June (Monthly); Mentorship Program: June – May (one-year duration)
Application Deadline: October – January 1
Eligibility: High school students
During BrainSTORM, you will engage with a wide range of neuroscience fields, including neuropsychology, neurology, neuropathology, and neuroimaging, through a blend of monthly seminars and an optional research mentorship. The online seminar series brings in specialists who speak on subjects such as epilepsy, sports-related concussion, Alzheimer’s disease, and methods for designing cognitive experiments, allowing you to connect with current scientific work and cross-disciplinary ideas. If you choose the mentorship component, you will get to collaborate one-on-one with a mentor, virtually or through a hybrid arrangement, to develop and carry out an original research project tailored to their interests.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like medicine, healthcare, or biomedical research, 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 – Emory University