summer medical research opportunities for high school students

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61 Great Medical Programs for High School Students + Advice

Extracurriculars

Thinking about a career in medicine? I highly recommend trying out some medical experiences in high school before committing to a pre-med track . Many of my high school friends who hoped to go into medicine ended up changing their major during college when the pre-med courses got too difficult.

Doing a medical internship, summer program, or community service project in high school can help you decide if medicine is the right track for you before you waste time and money going pre-med in college. This guide will explain what experiences are open to you as a high school student, what those experiences involve, and how you will benefit from them.

What Medical Experiences Are Available to High School Students?

There are lots of ways to get a taste of what it's like to work in medicine. In my opinion, the best time to do this is over the summer. You have the most free time during the summer, and there are more experiences available.

There are many summer medical programs and summer medical internships for high school students across the country. These opportunities range from research experiences to in-hospital experiences. Some of these programs and internships charge you a fee to attend, some are paid for, and some even pay you to attend.

I've compiled a list of over 60 summer medical programs for high school students. Several of these programs and internships are limited to students from a specific state or area, so be sure to check specific programs for application requirements and fees. I've provided links to each program below.

If you'd like to get experience during the school year (on weekends and after school), you should consider shadowing a doctor or volunteering at a hospital. I'll discuss the details of volunteering and job shadowing later in the article.

List of Summer Medical Programs for High School Students

I've divided up the summer medical programs into three categories: Medical Programs, Medical Research Programs, and general Science Research Programs.

Medical Programs

In the medical programs category, I list programs that offer high school students the chance to get hands-on experience in medicine (non-research related) such as learning simple medical procedures, watching surgeries, shadowing doctors, working in hospitals, interacting with patients, and more . There are very few programs that offer this type of experience to high school students, and I highly recommend them since they'll give you the most realistic look at what life's like as a pre-med student, medical student, and medical professional.

Medical Research Programs

If you're unable to do one of the above medical programs, the next best thing is a medical research program. In these programs, you'll be working in a lab and helping with medical research that's in progress (i.e. looking at slides under a microscope, recording changes) or assisting with on-going clinical research (i.e. interviewing participants in an on-going trial of new medication, logging participant information in the computer). Many of these programs pair you with a mentor who works at your location. Also, several of these programs require you to give a presentation at the end of the program.

These medical research programs are extremely valuable because, as a pre-med student, you'll likely end up doing lab work either for class or as an extracurricular for your medical school application. If you do one of these programs in high school, you'll be a step ahead of your pre-med classmates.

(One quick note: many of these programs are free or pay stipends, but not every program provides free housing . Make sure you check each program's housing accommodations before you apply!)

Science Research Programs

If you can't do one of the medical research or medical programs, you should consider trying to do a science summer program/internship . These programs are not medicine-specific and cover a wide range of science topics (from plant life to space). However, these programs are still very valuable because as a pre-med student, you'll be learning a ton of science. As a part of your pre-med track, you'll be required to take Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and more. Doing one of these science programs will give you a preview of the coursework ahead of you.

Also, many of these programs are lab work, and, although they're not focused on medical research, they will still give you good general insights into how to do lab work . As I said before, as a pre-med student, you'll likely end up doing lab work either for class or as an extracurricular for your medical school application. If you do one of these programs, you'll be well-prepared to do that research.

What Are the Pros and Cons of These Programs?

These medical programs can be a great experience for many high school students, but they can have some drawbacks. In this section we'll look at the pros and cons of medical programs for high school students.

• These programs and internships provide a real look at what life's like as a researcher, scientist, or medical student. You'll have a great sense of whether or not you'd like to pursue a career in the medical field after you finish your program.
• If you do a college campus program, you'll get a preview of college life . You can experience living away from home, and you can decide if you like the college. I did a summer program at UCLA during high school, and it made me realize that UCLA was not the school for me.
• As I said before, these opportunities give you the chance to evaluate if pre-med is the track you want to go down before you waste time and money in college. If you love your program, you'll be even more motivated to work hard to become a medical professional .
• You'll meet like-minded students who're interested in medicine/science.
• You'll have a great program or internship on your college application . By actually participating in a medical/science program, you'll show colleges that you're committed to pursuing a career in the medical field.
• If you attend a college campus program, and you're interested in going to college at the school that hosted the program, you'll have shown real interest in that college (which admissions officers always like to see).
• These programs can be expensive . However, some programs pay you to attend! Make sure you check out the individual program websites to find out the cost. And like we mentioned before, pay careful attention to housing! Some programs might offer stipends, but they may not cover housing or transportation costs.
• Also, these summer medical programs for high school students can be highly competitive (some admit very few students or have special qualifications such as having a 3.5 GPA or higher).
• Some programs may not provide you with the best insight into medicine , especially those that are less hands-on or only offer research exposure (which is not what you'll necessarily be interested in).

Other Options: Hospital Volunteer or Shadowing a Doctor

Volunteering and job shadowing are both great ways to participate in medical experiences at your local hospital. You can do them during the school year or the summer. Also, both opportunities are free!

What's the difference between volunteering & job shadowing a doctor? As a hospital volunteer, you'll have to apply (and likely interview) to be a volunteer (along with getting a TB test and filling out paperwork). You'll attend a hospital volunteer orientation and be assigned a specific "job" at the hospital, such as assisting the nurses or assisting hospital visitors in navigating the hospital. As a volunteer, you'll be required to commit to volunteering for a certain number of shifts per week. You also may have to commit to volunteering for six months or more.

Job shadowing is a shorter experience and much less formal. You can shadow a doctor for as little time as a few hours or a day or two. While shadowing, you follow a doctor around while they go about their normal activities. They may ask you to help them with basic tasks (grabbing a chart or taking notes), but probably not. You'll be there to see what a doctor does in their daily routine to determine if it interests you.

To sign up to be a hospital volunteer, apply through the hospital's website. If you're having trouble locating the hospital's website or contact information, check with your school academic advisor. They may have a connection to the local hospital or might know another student who has volunteered or job shadowed there and who could help you get involved.

To find a job shadowing opportunity, reach out to any friends or family who work in the medical field. See if they know any doctors whom you could shadow. Also, ask your school's academic advisor if they know other students who shadowed a doctor and could give you more information. If your school can't help you, get in touch with the hospital directly to see if they can help you set up a job shadowing opportunity. If you need more advice on job shadowing, read our other guide.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Shadowing a Doctor or Being a Hospital Volunteer?

Shadowing a doctor or being a hospital volunteer is a significantly different experience than participating in a summer medical program, and they have their own set of pros and cons.

• As opposed to summer programs, these experiences are always free. As I said above, some medical programs and internships can cost a lot of money. Job shadowing and being a hospital volunteer are free experiences that will only cost you your time. These are great options if you can't afford the cost of a summer program.
• Job shadowing and being a hospital volunteer can provide a real look into life as a doctor or nurse. By following them around or working in a hospital, you'll get a sense of the work environment and what life is like on a day-to-day basis for a medical professional.
• As I said before, these opportunities give you the chance to evaluate if pre-med is the track you want to go down before you spend time and money in college. If you don't like your experience job shadowing or as a volunteer, you might realize pre-med isn't the right path for you. However, if you love your experience, you'll feel more motivated to work towards your goal of becoming a medical professional.
• Job shadowing is a great experience if you don't have a lot of time to commit. You can choose to job shadow for a few hours, a full day, or for several days. It's very flexible.
• If you want to be pre-med, volunteering at a hospital is a great extracurricular activity for your college application. While volunteering elsewhere (at a homeless shelter, animal shelter, etc.) can be great for a college application, it's good to keep your extracurriculars focused on your future goals. Volunteering at a hospital will show colleges that you're serious about a career in medicine.
• Volunteer experience may not provide you with quite the medical experience you're looking for. Volunteering may not be very hands-on, and your duties may be repetitive and not directly related to medicine, such as answering phones, filing papers, and helping visitors find where they're going.
• If you only job shadow for a day, it's not a great experience for your college application. It's not an extracurricular activity if you only do it once because that doesn't show enough commitment. However, I recommend doing job shadowing just to get insight into the medical field.

How to Choose the Right Medical Experience for You

Each of the medical experiences listed in this article has value, but to decide which is right for you, you should ask yourself three questions:

#1: What Is Your Main Medical Interest?

Are you more interested in research or patient care? If research, look into one of the summer research programs. If patient care, look into one of the hospital-based programs, job shadowing or being a hospital volunteer.

#2: How Much Money Are You Willing to Spend?

Do you have money to spend, do you have no money to spend, or do you need to have a job that pays? If you have money to spend, you can consider all of the options. If you have no money to spend, look into an all-expenses paid program (or one with financial aid). Also, consider volunteering or job shadowing since both are free experiences. If you need a job that pays, look into the programs with stipends for participants.

#3: How Much Time Do You Want to Invest in Your Experience?

Do you want to spend a day, a few hours per week, or a few weeks full-time on this experience? If you want a quick experience, consider job shadowing a doctor for a day or two. If you'd like an on-going experience to use as an extracurricular, consider volunteering since you could do that a few hours per week throughout the school year. If you'd like an intensive experience, consider doing one of the summer programs or internships.

Also, always make sure to research a program or experience before you commit to it. Doing so will help avoid a bad experience (such as a program that's not very hands-on or volunteer work that's mostly grunt work). Whatever you're interested in doing, try to find another student who did it previously and ask them about their experience. For the programs, get in touch with the program coordinator to see if they can put you in contact with a program alum you can speak with.

College take a close look at your extracurriculars. Like, a really close look.

How Will Colleges View These Experiences?

Colleges mainly look for extracurriculars that show your commitment, passion, and ability to handle responsibility and leadership. Job shadowing isn't a great experience for your college application because it's not enough of a commitment if you only do it for a few days. On the other hand, volunteering at a hospital is a great extracurricular activity for your college application because it shows a commitment to medicine.

The summer programs and internships are also great experiences for your college application because they show that same interest in and commitment to medicine. Also, many of these programs and internships are competitive, and colleges know that. If you're accepted into one of those programs or internships, colleges will view it like you won a prestigious award.

What's Next?

Doing a medical program is a great step, but what else do you need to do to prepare for med school? Check out our step-by-step guide to preparing for med school as a high school student and our list of the best books for pre-med students .

Also, you should learn about how to write about extracurriculars on college applications . Check out four amazing examples of extracurriculars for college applications.

Interested in a BS/MD program? They can be a great way to save some time and get your medical degree sooner. Read our guide on getting into BS/MD programs to learn more.

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15 Medical Research Opportunities for High School Students

By Eric Eng

Getting into your dream college requires more than good grades and extracurricular activities . It demands practical experience and a deep understanding of your field of interest. For those interested in the medical field, medical research programs offer invaluable opportunities to gain hands-on experience and insight into the world of healthcare.

You might be wondering, why are these programs so important? Well, let me tell you. Medical research programs allow you to explore your passion for science and medicine in a real-world setting. Instead of just reading about theories in textbooks, you’ll have the chance to roll up your sleeves and actively contribute to cutting-edge research projects.

Here are 15 medical research programs that could lead to prestigious colleges and future career opportunities:

1. UPenn Biomedical Research Academy

• Location: Penn’s School of Medicine
• Cost: $9,700
• Program Date: July 6 – July 27, 2024
• Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
• Eligibility: High school students

The UPenn Biomedical Research Academy is a comprehensive program for high school students interested in exploring the experimental basis of cellular, molecular, and genetic aspects of biology, particularly focusing on their relevance to diseases. The course content includes a wide range of topics such as genome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas-9, vaccines, antibiotic resistance, and bioethics , delivered by scientists, clinicians, and faculty from the Department of Biology and Penn’s School of Medicine.

The program also includes journal clubs where you’ll engage in discussions on peer-reviewed research articles, learning how to read, interpret, analyze, and critique primary research under the guidance of Penn researchers or faculty members. This setup not only offers deep insights into the core of medical research but also equips you with valuable skills and knowledge for your future academic or professional endeavors in the field of biology​​​​​​.

2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

• Location: Stanford University’s Institutes of Medicine
• Program Date: June 10 – August 1, 2024
• Application Deadline: February 24, 2024
• Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week summer internship designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research. The program offers hands-on research experience under the guidance of mentors at Stanford University’s Institutes of Medicine and select departments. 

Applicants to SIMR can choose from eight research areas, including Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genetics and Genomics . The program also offers a bioengineering bootcamp as an alternative to the lab research component​​​​.

3. Summer Student Research Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland

• Location: MLK. Research Building in Oakland, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital
• Cost: $3000–$4300
• Program Date: Early June to early August (specific dates unspecified)
• Application Deadline: February 16, 2024
• Eligibility: Students over 16 years of age

The Summer Student Research Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland is a remarkable opportunity for high school and college students, especially those from diverse and under-represented backgrounds , to engage in medical research. 

This program, with a history spanning over 40 years, integrates students into local clinics and basic science labs, where they participate in active research projects. As a participant, you’ll be paired with a mentor for one-on-one guidance through clinical or basic science research projects, which vary greatly depending on the mentor you’re assigned.

To be eligible, you need to be a high school junior or senior with at least one completed year in math and biology, or an undergraduate student. It’s important to be at least 16 years of age by June 1st of the program year . A key focus of the program is to encourage students from under-represented groups in sciences to pursue STEM careers by providing them with professional skills and confidence. Participants also receive a stipend, which varies based on student status and the granting agency​​​​​​.

4. High School Summer Research Experience at Roswell Park

• Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
• Program Date: June 24 – August 9, 2024
• Application Deadline: February 21, 2024
• Eligibility: Students at least 15 years of age

The High School Summer Research Experience at Roswell Park offers an invaluable opportunity for high school juniors to delve into the world of scientific research, specifically focused on cancer science. Set to run from June 24 to August 9, 2024, this program allows you to work alongside experts on your own independent research project. 

To be eligible for this program, you must be enrolled as a junior in high school at the time of your application and be a resident of Western New York . The program is a commuter-based one, which means you’ll need to travel to the facility daily, as there are no accommodations for staying on-site. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents and at least 15 years old by the start of the program. 

5. Institute On Neuroscience

• Location: Emory University
• Cost: $25 application fee
• Program Date: Exact dates for 2024 not specified
• Application Deadline: Unspecified
• Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors

The Institute on Neuroscience at Emory University , in collaboration with the Yerkes National Primate Research Center , The Marcus Autism Center , and Georgia State University’s Center for Behavioral Neuroscience , offers an enriching eight-week summer program for high school students. This program is designed for students who excel in science and have a keen interest in medical research. 

The ION program begins with a Meet-the-Mentor Luncheon in the spring, followed by a one-week introductory curriculum in early June. Then, you’ll engage in Friday Workshops focusing on scientific communication, science and society, scientific ethics, and special topics in neuroscience.

After the introductory week, you will conduct a seven-week mentored laboratory research project at one of the participating institutions. The summer concludes with a comprehensive Closing Research Symposium, where you will be required to present your research findings in a 10-minute slide presentation to an audience including family, friends, peers, pr ogram mentors, and others in the neuroscience community.

6. Summer Scholars Program (SSSP)

• Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute
• Cost: Unspecified
• Program Date: June 18 – August 16, 2024
• Application Deadline: January 12, 2024
• Eligibility: Undergraduate students

The Summer Scholars Program (SSSP) at Seattle Children’s Research Institute is an enriching opportunity for undergraduate students and recent graduates, especially those from backgrounds historically underrepresented in biomedical and health sciences . This 10-week program allows you to engage in basic, clinical, or translational research projects under experienced mentorship. You can earn $20 per hour for a 40-hour week , though taxes will be withheld from this income. The program, slated to run from June 18 to August 16, 2024, requires your full-time commitment, including additional hours for professional development activities.

If you’re interested in applying, ensure you have a strong background in fields like biology, biochemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, mathematics, behavioral health, public health, or a related scientific field. The program prioritizes applicants seeking their first formal research internship. The application process involves selecting your top three research projects from a list and explaining how your skills and interests align with each. A professional reference letter, along with a resume and cover letter, is also required .

7. Biomedical Research and Global Health at Seattle Children’s Institute

• Location: Seattle Children’s Institute
• Program Date: 2023-2024 school year
• Application Deadline: March 8, 2024
• Eligibility: 11th and 12th-grade students

The Biomedical Research and Global Health program at Seattle Children’s Institute, in partnership with the Highline School District, offers an immersive year-long academic experience for high school students. This program is tailored to prepare you for a variety of career opportunities in biomedical research and healthcare. Throughout the program, you will engage in hands-on lab experiences, providing an authentic introduction to the research process. 

These experiences include learning lab safety, practicing essential lab skills, and using state-of-the-art equipment for experiments related to disease prevention and treatment. Additionally, guest lectures from scientists and field trips to local research organizations will give you an inside look into careers in this rapidly evolving field.

The program is designed to build a robust foundation in biological sciences and research, integrating modern advancements in technology, such as gene editing and immunotherapy. You will be exposed to real-world scenarios and have opportunities for professional development and career planning. 

8. Research Training Program for High School Students

• Program Date: July 8 – August 2, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 10, 2024
• Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

The Research Training Program for High School Students at Seattle Children’s Research Institute offers a mix of educational lectures, hands-on laboratory experiences, and career workshops . You’ll be engaged in activities like microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, and gene editing, among others . Additionally, the program includes tours of the facility and a group research project, culminating in a presentation. This experience is not only about gaining laboratory skills but also about understanding the application process for college and exploring various career paths in biomedical fields.

Applications for the program open in early January and close in March. You will need to submit an application form and a letter of recommendation . Keep in mind that the program is competitive, and being within commuting distance of downtown Seattle is necessary, as housing is not provided . Importantly, participants will receive a stipend , and thus a Social Security Number is required for tax purposes .

9. Eugene And Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy

• Location: City of Hope, Duarte CA
• Program Date: June 3 – August 9, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 13, 2024
• Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students

The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope offers you a chance to gain hands-on research experience in biomedical science. This program, aimed at high school and undergraduate students, provides a unique opportunity to work on real-world research projects. 

You must be at least 16 years old to participate , and while it’s beneficial to submit additional materials like transcripts and recommendation letters, these are not strictly required. The program spans ten weeks and requires you to contact the program administrator for specific time period details. This academy is a great way to immerse yourself in the world of scientific research, especially if you have a keen interest in biomedical fields. 

10. Health and Society Institute at Barnard College

• Location: Barnard College
• Cost: $7,772 – $9,687
• Program Date: July 22 – August 10, 2024
• Application Deadline: May 26, 2024
• Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school

The Health and Society Institute at Barnard College offers an insightful and immersive program that investigates the intricate relationship between health, society, and science. This program stands out for its dedication to exploring the cultural, historical, and economic underpinnings of the U.S. healthcare system. You’ll delve into how scientific knowledge interacts with other forms of knowledge representation and evaluate the credibility and influence of experts in various fields. 

A unique aspect of the program is its emphasis on qualitative research . You will gain foundational knowledge and techniques related to qualitative research, including conceptualizing, planning, and implementing research projects. This experience is not just about learning; it’s about applying these skills to real-world scenarios, particularly in the context of working with hum an subjects.

11. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program

• Location: University of California, San Francisco
• Program Date: May 28 – August 30, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 4, 2024
• Eligibility: Students over 17 years old

The Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program offers a dynamic opportunity for high school juniors, seniors, and college undergraduates interested in exploring the fields of rheumatology and immunology, with a particular focus on arthritis and related autoimmune diseases. Hosted by the prestigious University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Stanford University , this 8-week program , running from May 28 to August 30, 2024, immerses you in cutting-edge research environments​​​​​​​​.

During the internship, you will engage in hands-on experiences in either basic laboratory (bench) research, clinical translational/epidemiological (patient-oriented) research, or bioinformatics (computational) research. This program is a great opportunity to delve into the intricacies of conditions like arthritis, understand the body’s immune responses, and contribute to the development of effective treatments. 

Not only will you gain valuable insights from world-renowned physicians and scientists, but you will also receive a stipend of $2,500 for your participation. To be eligible, you must be at least 17 years old by the start of the program and a citizen or permanent resident of the USA​​​​​​​​ .

12. Summer Program In Neuroscience

• Location: Boston University
• Cost: $4,000
• Program Date: June 3 – July 25, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 18, 2024
• Eligibility: Rising junior and senior undergraduate students

The Summer Program in Neuroscience (SPIN) at Boston University is an eight-week program designed for undergraduates with an interest in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, and medicine. SPIN combines research activities with clinical and didactic experiences to provide a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience. Students participate in hands-on neuroanatomy labs, attend small group lectures, and are involved in clinical rotations that include observing neurosurgical procedures and neurological assessments. 

This program not only enhances understanding of the brain and neuroscience research but also supports career development with sessions on application processes for medical and graduate schools and interview skills. Admission is based on academic performance, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement . The program runs from June 3 to July 25, 2024, with a tuition cost of $4,000, not including room and board. The application deadline for 2024 is March 18th. 

13. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

• Location: Stanford University
• Program Date: June 24 – July 26, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 15, 2024
• Eligibility: Low-income and/or underrepresented minority high school sophomores and juniors

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) offers a dynamic and immersive five-week enrichment experience for high school juniors who are first-generation and from low-income backgrounds in Northern California . As a participant, you will delve into a comprehensive curriculum that includes hospital internships at Stanford Hospital and a public health research project . The hospital internships provide you with hands-on experience in various aspects of healthcare delivery. 

In addition to these practical experiences, the program emphasizes mentorship and community building. You’ll receive guidance and support from faculty, health professionals, and college students, fostering a network that extends beyond the summer. The program also includes academic seminars and lectures covering public health, research methodology, and human anatomy, conducted by Stanford medical students. These sessions are designed to prepare you for your research project and provide insights into college and medical school preparation.

14. Health Career Institute at Dartmouth

• Location: Dartmouth College
• Cost: $2,800 – $3,600
• Program Date: June 24-29, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 16, 2024
• Eligibility: Students entering 11th and 12th grades

The Health Careers Institute at Dartmouth is a unique and enriching opportunity for high school students interested in exploring a variety of disciplines within the healthcare sector. Scheduled for June 24-29, 2024, this program is specifically designed for students entering 11th and 12th grades who are keen on delving into healthcare careers and eager to learn about both clinical and non-clinical health professions​​​​.

The program’s structure includes classroom instruction, a team-based research project, and dialogues with faculty and health profession students , ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Importantly, you’ll also get a taste of college life, living in a dorm on the Dartmouth College campus, and engaging in discussions about the college application process, which can be particularly beneficial for your future academic pursuits​​.

15. NIH Summer Internship Program

• Location: Bethesda, Maryland and Framingham, Massachusetts
• Program Date: Between May and September 2024
• Eligibility: Students at least 17 years of age

The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) is an exceptional opportunity for college, graduate, and professional students who are keen on exploring careers in research and healthcare. As a participant, you’ll be working full-time within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers in the Intramural Research Program. The research groups are spread across NIH campuses , including the main campus in Bethesda, MD. 

Eligibility for the program is fairly broad. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 17 years or older by June 15, 2024, and enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution . This includes community colleges, colleges, universities, or professional schools. The application process for the SIP is comprehensive, requiring a detailed profile, a list of coursework and grades, a CV or resume, references, and a cover letter . The selection process is thorough, with a focus on aligning applicants’ research interests with ongoing projects​​​​.

Final Thoughts

As you work toward getting into your dream college, keep in mind that internships in medical research can really improve your chances of success. By gaining hands-on experience, you not only enhance your understanding of the medical field but also demonstrate your commitment and passion to admissions committees. At AdmissionSight , we specialize in guiding students like you through the intricacies of college admissions, including identifying and securing impactful internships. 

With our expertise and support, you can confidently pursue these opportunities and position yourself as a standout candidate in the competitive admissions landscape. As you look ahead, seize every chance to learn, grow, and make your mark on the path to achieving your academic and professional goals.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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24 Medical Internships + Programs for High Schoolers in 2024

What’s covered:.

• 14 Medical Programs for High School Students

10 Medical Internships for High School Students

How do internships impact your college chances.

Considering a career in medicine? Internships and pre-college medical programs in healthcare can give you a head start on your career and help you get into college. These opportunities can provide you with experiences such as working in a lab and conducting trials, all while providing first-hand experience working in settings like universities, hospitals, clinics, and research facilities.

13 Medical Programs for High School Students

1. stanford medical youth science program (smysp).

Application Deadline: March 15

Duration: Five weeks (June 24-July 26)  

In this five-week, tuition-free online program, low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California complete intensive coursework in medicine and health science, take part in professional development workshops, network with health professionals, and receive college admissions guidance and mentoring. Students will also complete a college-level research project on public health disparities and gain insight into navigating a career in medicine.

The 24 participants in this program will each receive a $1,250 clinical research stipend.

2. Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego: Summer Medical Academy

Application Deadline : February 23

Duration: Two weeks (June 17-28 or July 8-19)

Offered through Rady’s Children Hospital San Diego, the Summer Medical Academy gives high school students interested in pursuing healthcare careers the opportunity to explore medical training and practice. High school students who have both completed 9th grade and are between 15-19 years old can gain hands-on experience, learn about key topics in medicine from experts, and network with future potential colleagues.  

Prospective participants are admitted based on their interest in a health career, participation in extracurricular activities, and scholastic achievement. Special consideration will be given to students who reside near San Diego, seniors in high school or recent graduates, and those who have an affiliation with Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. The cost of this program is $3,000. Scholarships are available, but on a limited basis.

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Application Deadline : Varies by cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Founded by Harvard & Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program pairs high-school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have written an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, computer science, psychology, physics, economics, data science, business, engineering, biology, and international relations.

This program is designed to accommodate your schedule—you can participate in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, and the program is also conducted fully remotely. While you must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement (most students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3), no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required. The cost of the program ranges from $2,800 to $8,900, but financial aid is available.

Note that this is a selective program. Last year, over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the program. You can find more details about the application here .

4. UCSF Summer Student Research Program

Application Deadline: February 16

Duration: Nine weeks (June 3rd until early August)

Students in this program are placed in local clinics and science labs to participate in biomedical research projects. Through the program, participants receive one-on-one mentorship from healthcare providers and researchers. Participants also gain access to unique workshops, seminars, trainings, simulations, and networking events. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as current college undergraduates, from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences, such as minority racial/ethnic groups, those with disabilities, and first-generation college students. 

Program participants are eligible for a stipend ranging from $3,000 to $4,300. 

5. Center for Disease Control (CDC) Museum Disease Detective Camp

Application Deadline: March 22

Duration: Five days (June 24-28 or July 22-26)

At CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, rising high school juniors and seniors (who must also be 16 years old) have the opportunity to spend five days learning about public health. The fields covered vary and may include research, data collection, data analysis, and health education. Although the camp doesn’t focus on medical treatment, it’s a good opportunity for students interested in medicine to get a more comprehensive understanding of career paths in the field. 

Activities are also diverse and include recreated outbreaks, mock press conferences, environmental and global health activities, a laboratory session, an introduction to chronic disease surveillance, and short lectures from world-renowned CDC scientists. 

The program is free to attend. However, participants must provide their own housing and transportation to and from the CDC’s campus in Atlanta, Georgia. 

6. Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program  

Application Deadline: N/A

Duration: Eight weeks (typically from early June to late July)   

Participants in this eight-week program are paired with research mentors and work 40 hours per week on projects that may involve work in labs, computer databases, or clinics. They also participate in weekly workshops on topics concerning gaining admission to graduate and professional programs of study, along with professional development sessions.  

This program caters to students whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in research fields. All participants must have completed their senior year of high school or be current undergraduate students with a 3.2 cumulative GPA or higher. Participants receive a stipend, although housing and transportation must be taken care of by the student.

7. Penn Summer Academies

Duration: Three weeks (July 6-27) 

The University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academies offer high school students the opportunity to engage in three-week subject-intensive programs that combine advanced scientific or social theory with relevant applications. Each of Penn Summer Academies is focused on a particular subject: you’ll choose between biomedical research, chemistry research, experimental physics, and neuroscience. There are also programs in coding and math that are more tangentially related to medicine, but could still be beneficial depending on your personal goals.

The program is open to high school students currently in 9th through 11th grade and residential and online opportunities are available. The program costs $9,700, although financial assistance is available for select Philadelphia students.

8. Health Care Career Exploration Camp

Duration: Usually t wo days in early to mid June

This free program for Nebraska students in grades 10 through 12 allows participants to learn about a variety of healthcare careers, not just clinical positions. The program is offered at two CHI Health locations in Nebraska. Note that space is limited by location, and past participants are waitlisted to allow new students to attend.

9. Medical Immersion Summer Academy (MISA)

Application Deadline: March 8

Duration: Five days in July or August

During MISA, you’ll learn about healthcare through hands-on clinical training in crucial skills (like suturing, providing CPR, splinting, and taking vitals) and mentorship opportunities. The purpose of the program, which was started in 2012 and takes place in Oakland, CA, is to give students interested in healthcare careers a strong knowledge foundation early on.

The program is open to all high school students in grades 9 through 12, so long as you are 15 by the start of the program, and costs $1,400, plus a $50 non-refundable application fee.

10. Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine: Achieve in Medicine (AIM–High)

Application Deadline: May 1

Duration: Five days (June 24-28, July 8-12, or July 15-19)

This program offers high school students the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the field of medicine. Through AIM-High, students will gain hands-on medical experiences, such as using technology in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, alongside NSU medical students and staff. Activities include both educational interactive sessions and social events.

The program offers three sessions—two sessions at NSU’s main campus in Fort Lauderdale and one session at its Clearwater campus—and is available to high school students of all ages, so long as they have a GPA of at least 3.2. Tuition for AIM-High is $1,600, plus a $40 non-refundable application fee, and students will leave the program certified in first aid and CPR.

11. National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Healthcare

Application Deadline: Rolling 

Duration: Nine days 

This summer program gives high schoolers a chance to learn about controversial medical issues, today’s healthcare challenges, and advanced scientific research in areas such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. The program is offered at:  

• American University
• Duke University 
• Northwestern University
• UC Berkeley
• University of Miami
• Yale University 

Students will perform clinical rounds, learn medical examination and surgical techniques, and contribute to a public health project focused on developing a media campaign to spread information on illness and disease prevention. Participants will also be able to take an online college credit course taught by American University faculty after completing the program.  

Each campus offers between two and four nine-day summer sessions with costs ranging from $3,895 to $4,095 depending on location. Scholarships are available, however. While admission is rolling, note that slots fill up quickly.

12. Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program

Duration: Varies by facility

For more than 50 years, this free medical mentorship program has encouraged students to follow career paths all across medicine. Participants attend daily interactive sessions presented by a range of medical professionals, including surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, ophthalmologists, radiologists, and therapists. There are also two online sessions offered in July.

The program is open to high school juniors and seniors (at the time of application) living in Los Angeles and its adjacent counties. Some facilities may have additional age requirements. Note that if you have participated before, you cannot reapply.

13. Georgetown Medical Academy

Application Deadline: May 15 (note there is an application fee if you apply after January 31)

Duration: One week (June 9-15, June 23-29, or July 7-13)

Students in this residential program will learn about medicine and get an up-close-and-personal look at the Georgetown University Medical Center, including its world-renowned Lombardi Cancer Center. Participants explore a variety of topics, including human anatomy, physiology, radiology, surgery, cancer, and biomedical ethics. They’ll also gain hands-on experience in suturing, casting, and dissection. The program costs $3,549, or $2,750 if you are commuting, and provides a good glimpse into the path to becoming a physician.

14. Health Care Careers Exploration Program

Application Deadline: April 30

Duration: One week (July 20-25)

This week-long summer program at Rochester Institute of Technology provides deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 10 through 12 the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of important issues in healthcare and prepare for a potential career in the field. Students will attend medical demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities and demonstrations, and become CPR and first aid certified. Students will also engage in a variety of social activities, such as swimming, bowling, going to the movies, and visiting local places of interest. The cost of the program is $700.

15. High School Senior Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Application Deadline: February 1

Duration: Eight weeks  

Work with a mentor in one of the various pediatric clinical specialties in this eight-week program for Cincinnati-area graduating seniors. Participants also engage in group activities, including an afternoon hands-on training session with computerized simulated pediatric patients in the SIM Center, lunch seminars, networking sessions, and community service opportunities. Your internship will culminate in a graduation party featuring student presentations on their experiences. 

Interns work 20 hours a week and are paid $13 an hour. 

16. NIH High School Summer Internship Program 

Application Deadline: February 16 (February 23 for reference letters)

Duration: Generally eight weeks 

This internship offers students the opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading scientists in the field of biomedical research, at one of the most renowned research institutions in the world. Students participate in a range of activities including lectures from NIH investigators, career and professional development workshops, and activities focused on college readiness.  

The internship is open to students who are juniors or seniors when they apply and who are age 17 or older. All participants are given a stipend, although the amount varies from year to year and depends on the level of education you have completed before beginning your internship.   

17. Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program

Application Deadline: January 31 

Duration: Six weeks (beginning June 17)

This is a six-week, 240-hour internship for rising high school juniors and seniors (who will be over 16 when the internship starts) where participants conduct scientific research under the supervision of an investigator and their staff at MWRI and Magee-Womens Hospital. Interns also participate in sessions where investigators discuss careers in biomedical science and their journeys and perspectives. At the program’s conclusion, interns will present their findings to other participants as well as to the MWRI faculty and staff.  

This is a free and extremely competitive program, which has been around since 1995—less than 8% of the students who apply are chosen. Note that to apply, you must permanently reside in southwest Pennsylvania. Students from families that qualify for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program for Pennsylvania are eligible to receive a $1,800 stipend for their participation in the program.

18. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience High School Internship

Application Deadline: March 4

Duration: Six weeks (June 17 to July 26)

This six-week internship is for rising juniors and seniors (who will be at least 16 when the internship starts) in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school who are interested in brain structure, function, and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. Neuroscience interns participate in one of three tracks: neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering. At the end of the internship, students will write a scientific abstract and deliver a short presentation.  

Interns are compensated at a rate of $12.50 per hour for their work, and can expect to work 40 hours per week for the duration of the internship.

19. KP Launch  

Application Deadline: January 2 

Duration: Seven weeks (June 17 to August 2)

The KP Launch program is offered by Kaiser Permanente, and provides students who are between ages 16-19 by June 1 with a variety of internships at its Oakland headquarters and medical offices across Northern California. The program is aimed at students who are low-income or from backgrounds underrepresented in healthcare, and serves to introduce them to careers in the field by building practical job skills and gaining real-world work experience.  

Priority is given to high school seniors and juniors, and participants earn the hourly minimum wage for the area, which varies between $15.50 and $18 per hour.

20. Summer Child Health Research Internship

Application Deadline: February 1 

Duration: Nine weeks (June 3 to August 2)

This medical internship is open to rising high school seniors, as long as they will be over 18 when the internship starts, who will complete their work alongside undergraduates and first-year medical students. Through the internship, students will explore research opportunities related to child healthcare, while working in a lab with faculty members of the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus. At the conclusion of the program, students are required to submit a written summary of their research and deliver a presentation of it.

High school participants must be Colorado residents and are provided with a $3,500 stipend.

21. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Application Deadline: March 31 

Duration: Eight weeks (June 24 to August 16)

This eight-week, full-time, paid internship is for rising seniors, specifically those from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science. The first two weeks of the program are focused on training participants in laboratory safety skills and techniques, then for the following six weeks participants are immersed in mentoring activities. Interns will also take part in research seminars, professional development workshops, and social activities, and give a presentation to the Fred Hutch community at the end of their internship.

Interns are provided a stipend, and those commuting from the greater Seattle area are also given a free ORCA card for the local buses.

22. Harvard Medical School Project Success for High School Students

Application Deadline: February 2 

Duration: Six weeks (July 8 to August 16)

Project Success is aimed at students from disadvantaged backgrounds and groups underrepresented in medicine. The program provides paid summer research positions at Harvard Medical School and its affiliated institutions to rising juniors and seniors from Boston and Cambridge (do note there are GPA and coursework prerequisites, and you must be 16 by the start of the program). In addition to performing mentored research, students will also participate in seminars, workshops, site visits, and career counseling.

23. Medical College of Wisconsin Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM)

Application Deadline: March 1 

Duration: Six weeks (June 24 to August 2)

AIM is a highly competitive program that provides internship opportunities to Milwaukee-area students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in medicine and health careers, in order to stimulate their interest in careers in the field. Interns will receive mentoring from current medical students and participate in clinical shadowing and simulations. They will also explore career paths and take part in social activities. 

Participants can anticipate working 40 hours per week during the program, which is free and awards a stipend to all students at the program’s conclusion.

24. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)

Application Deadline: February 26

Rising high school juniors and seniors living in Northern California can learn about science, medicine, and research during this six-week internship. Participants will learn how research is performed and conduct their own research projects while working with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, researchers, and students. Anticipate working 30 hours per week during this program. 

This is a free program, and students with financial need can receive a $3,000 stipend for participating. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee, but applicants with total family income under $90,000 can apply for a fee waiver.

Extracurriculars are extremely important in the admissions process, especially at selective schools. These schools get more academically-qualified applicants than they can admit, so your extracurriculars (and essays) will help you stand out. 

Extracurricular activities are divided into four tiers , with tier 1 representing the most exceptional and rare extracurriculars and tier 4 representing the most common activities admissions committees see. The higher the tier an extracurricular activity is, the more impactful it is on admissions odds. 

If you’re applying to highly-selective schools, we recommend having at least a few tier 1 and 2 activities to set yourself apart from other applicants. Internships vary in terms of rigor and selectivity, but prestigious, national programs in particular can certainly fall into tiers 1 or 2.  

Wondering how your internship impacts your chances? CollegeVine’s free admissions calculator can let you know! This tool uses factors like grades and test scores—along with other variables, like internships—to calculate your odds at hundreds of colleges. It can also provide valuable insight into areas where you can improve your profile.  

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Medical Summer Programs for High School Students

For high school students who are considering a career in medicine , a great way to learn about the medical field and get a head start on the clinical skills required for medical careers is to participate in an immersive pre-med summer program. Many universities and other organizations offer summer opportunities for high school students to learn more about medical school and medical professions. We’ll discuss some of the top programs further in this blog.  

What kinds of medical programs are available to high school students?

High school is the ideal time for motivated students to try out college courses. Why invest time and money in a college major only to discover it’s not the right fit? The field of medicine is a popular choice for many. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has this to say: “employment in medicine is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.6 million new jobs.” 

There are many leading U.S. institutions that offer summer medical courses to high school students. Some universities offer in-person courses and others provide courses online. There’s bound to be a school that works for any high schooler.

A few examples include:

• Georgetown University : has medicine, medical research, nursing, and anatomy & physiology online courses for teens. 
• Rice University : has physiology and genome engineering courses offered online.
• Wake Forest University : Topics cover areas such as medicine, sports medicine, and psychology. 
• Case Western Reserve University : has a neuroscience and medicine course designed specifically for high school students.

Students greatly benefit from these types of programs for a number of reasons:

• The chance to try out the college experience before choosing a school or a major
• Working with top-notch professors 
• Getting a leg up on other students in the field

Why do colleges value medical summer programs?

Colleges and universities are constantly searching for the most motivated students. Since many of the precollege courses are from very prestigious institutions, it’s an indication to the college that, not only is the student motivated, they are also competitive and comfortable in the college environment. Also, high school students who are motivated enough to utilize these courses indicate a level of drive that is very attractive to colleges and universities. Both top schools and smaller secondary colleges are using pre-college courses to attract prospective students. This offers high schoolers additional options that might better fit their comfort zone.

Georgetown Medical Academy

Georgetown has 1-week and 3-week Medical Academy programs, and students can either stay on campus or commute. Both programs provide an introduction to the field of medicine and a glimpse at Georgetown School of Medicine. Students participating in the 3-week program also register for one of three tracks: 

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Emergency Medicine

Each track will give students classroom, lab, and case study experience with their chosen topic. To apply, prospective students must submit a 300-500 personal essay and the contact information of a school counselor, teacher, or administrator who can speak to their academic readiness and confirm their GPA. This program is open to students who are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors at the time of application. 

Summer@Brown

Students participating in Brown’s summer program for high-schoolers can choose from a huge variety of medical and health-related courses, including Introduction to Medicine: Do You Want to Be a Doctor? and Hands-On Medicine: A Week in the Life of a Medical Student. The length of the program is between 1 and 3 weeks, depending on the course, and there are both residential and commuter options. 

Brown also has a distance learning program for students unable to travel to Brown’s campus (see “Distance Learning Options,” below). 

Transcripts, personal statements, and sometimes teacher recommendations are required for students applying to either the online or on-campus program. Students must be 15 or older to participate.

Penn Medicine Summer Program

The Penn Medicine Summer Program is a week-long experience modeled after Penn Medical School’s actual first-year curriculum. Each morning, students attend interactive lessons on the topic of the day, which could be emergency medicine, cancer, kidney disease, or any number of other topics. Each afternoon, students participate in interactive virtual medical experiences. Additionally, students go on two hospital trips and two academic field trips. 

Any student who has taken or is taking a high school biology class at the time of their application can apply.

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

The SMYSP is a five-week residential program open to high school sophomores and junior low-income and/or underrepresented minorities who live in Northern and Central California. The program includes anatomy and pathology labs and courses, college admissions help, a research project, lectures by Stanford faculty and other medical professionals, and insight into the day-to-day operations of a hospital. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in a career in medicine and/or science and a B-average in their science classes; however, applications are reviewed holistically, meaning that a low science GPA won’t necessarily preclude participation. Each accepted applicant will receive a full-tuition scholarship for the program. 

Wake Forest University Summer Immersion Program: Medicine Institute

The Medicine Institute at Wake Forest University is a one-week program with a non-residential option in Charlotte and residential option in Winston-Salem. The program covers topics such as obstetrics and gynecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, pediatrics, and other medical topics. Students visit local healthcare facilities, learn about the latest medical technology, practice taking blood pressure and suturing, participate in a dissection lab, and learn minimally invasive surgery techniques. 

Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are welcome to apply.

National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Health Care

The NSLC on Medicine & Health Care is a nine-day experience available at many different university campuses across the United States including Vanderbilt, the University of Washington, Northwestern, and Harvard. You’ll explore different medical career paths, visit medical facilities, diagnose and treat simulated patients, identify public health concerns and come up with potential solutions, and hear from guest speakers from the medical field. You’ll also gain some clinical skills such as suturing, testing vital signs, and surgical knot-tying. And, true to its name, the NSLC Medicine and Health Care program will teach you leadership skills that you can apply to any field you go into. 

This program is open to any high school student with demonstrated academic and leadership abilities. Students are either nominated by a teacher or counselor, invited to apply by a talent identification program such as the College Board Student Search Service, or apply of their own accord. There are also summer Nursing and Psychology & Neuroscience programs available. 

Distance Learning Medical Program Options

Sometimes preexisting summer plans, finances, or other personal circumstances prevent students from being able to participate in on-campus summer medical programs. Luckily, there are distance-learning options available for students in these situations. Read on for information about two such programs. 

Wake Forest University - Making the Rounds: An Insider's Guide to Becoming a Doctor

Students 13 years old and older are eligible to participate in Wake Forest’s online pre-college medical course. This 30-hour program—completed over the course of two or four weeks, depending on the dates selected—focuses primarily on the life cycle of a heart attack. Students will also get a virtual tour of a working hospital, learn about what it’s like to work in the medical field, and complete a final Capstone project demonstrating what they’ve learned in the course. 

The class is taught by Wake Forest School of Medicine faculty, and students are assigned a Wake Forest mentor to encourage them, provide direction on assignments, and help brainstorm for the final Capstone project. Although the class is online and asynchronous, students will have many opportunities to connect with their mentor and fellow classmates. This course is ideal for students interested in learning about the inner workings of a hospital, how to prevent and treat heart attacks, and/or what it’s like to have a career in medicine in a completely flexible way.

Summer@Brown Online

Students participating in Brown’s online summer program can sign up for classes such as Neuroscience in Action: Understanding Our Brains and Nervous Systems and Biomedical Engineering: The Smart Design of Medical Implants and Devices that range from 3 to 5 weeks. Classes are asynchronous and take approximately 10 hours per week. Despite the fact that all coursework is completed online, Summer@Brown Online courses provide ample opportunity to connect with instructors and other students. 

Hospital Volunteering or Job Shadowing

Most aspiring high school students live in communities with teaching hospitals and healthcare systems. Volunteer jobs for teenagers can include: assisting nurses with basic duties, helping visitors navigate the hospital, and in some cases, working in a physician’s office with checking patients in. Volunteer programs are a great way for high school students to get a feel for the world of medicine and see if it's a possible fit.

While volunteering is a greater time commitment, job shadowing is an option that requires less of a high schooler’s time. As the name implies, shadowing allows high schoolers to spend a day or two following a doctor to observe their day-to-day responsibilities. It can be a wonderful learning experience for a young person. 

Medical Summer Program Key Takeaways

• The medical profession is poised for growth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—employment in medicine is projected to grow 16%, adding roughly 2.6 million new jobs in the next ten years.
• Driven high schoolers who seek opportunities in the medical fields will find a whole array of options including, online courses from leading universities, summer immersion programs, summer camps, volunteering, or shadowing.
• There are different disciplines that live under the medicine or health umbrella. These include medical research, science research, biomedical engineering, climate science, and specialties such as women’s health.
• These programs not only provide an inside look at the field for students, but give universities a pool of motivated future students who have proven themselves in some of the best universities.

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Stanford institutes of medicine summer research program, program description.

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program in which high school students with a broad range of experiences, interests and backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project. The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine in high school students and helping students to understand how scientific research is performed.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  

ALL 3 of the following requirements must be met (no exceptions):

1) Students must currently be juniors or seniors (as of the fall of 2024).  Students must be in the graduating class of 2025 or 2026.

2) Students must also be  16 years old or older  by the start date of the program.

3)  Students must currently be living in and attending high school in the U.S. AND must be  U.S. citizens or permanent residents  with a green card in order to apply.

Important Note:  Please read the MISSION link on the lefthand panel.  The selection process will heavily favor local (Bay Area) students. Please visit the FAQ for more information.  Also, students must be able to start the program on the first day of the program.  

SUMMER 2025 UPDATE:

• The current plans are to have an in-person program for the summer of 2025.  
• Summer 2025 Program Dates:  June 9- July 31, 2025 (8 weeks)
• The online application and program information document will be available on our website on  Dec. 15th, 2024 (at 5pm PST) .  Applications will be due Saturday, February 22nd, 2025.

SIMR Student at the Bench

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• Research Training

High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)

This program is available to:

• High School Students

An opportunity for high school students to spend a summer working in the Intramural Research Program at the NIH.

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About this program, diversity and inclusion, hs-sip cohort programs, eligibility criteria, stipend and other compensation, before you apply, how to apply, selection process.

This program is for 11th and 12th graders interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare. With the exception of the HiSTEP program , these are full-time research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Research groups are located on all NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD.

High school summer interns are selected by a central committee in each Institute/Center and placed in a research group to work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI). HS-SIP applicants should not contact NIH investigators directly to explore possible positions.

We offer research opportunities in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences with opportunities to explore basic, translational, and clinical research. Students interested in biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields are invited to apply. Summer interns may not work in administrative offices or outside of the NIH IRP.

All NIH summer interns have access to:

• professional development programs focused on core competencies needed for success in science careers
• educational and career advising
• a comprehensive well-being and resilience program

We also sponsor Summer Poster Day , where our interns share their research with the NIH community.

Diversity strengthens our community. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and strongly encourage applications from:

• people from racial and ethnic groups that have been underrepresented in biomedical research and healthcare fields
• people with disabilities
• people who identify as LGBTQ+
• people disadvantaged by life circumstances that have negatively impacted their educational opportunities.

Our goal is to support diverse students to enter careers in research and healthcare. To help us achieve this, we sponsor two cohort programs for high school students. Interns in these cohort programs have access to all resources of the broader HS-SIP program and also participate in orientation, leadership, professional development, and well-being programs as part of a learning community. The curriculum of each cohort program is tailored to the educational needs of the groups and includes a focus on science, professional, and personal skill development. The OITE sponsors two HS-SIP cohort experiences:

• HiSTEP for current high school juniors who will be rising 12th graders in the summer; this is a part-time program and interns do not work in NIH research groups.
• HiSTEP 2.0 for current high school seniors; this is a full-time program and interns are placed in an NIH research group.

To apply for the NIH HS-SIP, and HS-SIP cohort programs, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must:

• Be 17 years of age or older on June 15, 2024.
• Be enrolled in high school as a junior or senior when you submit your application. U.S. citizens may apply if they are enrolled at least half-time in high school. U.S. permanent residents must be enrolled in a high school in the U.S. to be eligible.
• If you are under 18 years old by June 15, live within 40 miles of the NIH campus on which you will intern when you submit your application.

Applicants with a family member working at NIH should be aware of the strict nepotism policy , which may limit your ability to work in certain NIH institutes, centers, or research groups.

Stipends for summer interns are adjusted annually and are based on educational level. There is free parking on each NIH campus; summer interns on some campuses may be eligible to participate in the Transhare program .

All summer interns must present proof of health insurance to participate in the program.

The decision to come to the NIH as a summer intern is an important one.  In most cases these are full-time research positions, and it is not possible to take summer classes or tend to other responsibilities during work hours.

Research groups are located on several different NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD. Before you begin your application, we encourage you to learn more about:

• the NIH IRP and the mission of each Institute and Centers
• the various NIH campuses and the specific focus of the work performed there

Watch this important video before applying. It talks about the program and provides a framework for deciding if the program is right for you. It also discusses the application process and provides information on finding appropriate research groups.

Opening and closing dates

The HS-SIP application will open in mid-November 2024.

The HS-SIP application will close in early February 2025.

Complete your application

You must use the NIH Application Center to apply for this program:

• After you complete the required sections of your profile, you will be asked to select a preferred program. Choose 'Summer internships for high school students'.
• You must select 'Apply' next to ‘High School Summer Internship Program’ for your application to be considered for this program.
• Ensure that you are eligible for this program before clicking 'Start Application.'
• To complete your application, import any relevant information from your profile. You must also submit:
• Coursework & Exams - a list of coursework and grades
• CV/Resume - a list of your education, experience, and other relevant history ( see an example resume )
• References - the names and contact information of two references
• Letter/Statement - a cover letter broadly describing your prior research experiences, your current interests and career goals.

5. Review all of your materials carefully before you submit your application

HS-SIP applicants should not reach out directly to NIH Principal Investigators since HS-SIP selections are made centrally by the HS-SIP summer coordinator in each Institute/Center (IC). Reach out to the HS-SIP coordinator in the NIH IC you want to work. Follow the guidance they provide, as the application process differs in each IC.

The HS-SIP application is currently closed.

Applications are reviewed by the NIH Institute/Center (IC) who select their own summer interns and provide the funding to support them. Successful candidates will be informed by the hiring IC. Many NIH research groups are unable to accommodate high school students due to safety concerns, and the acceptance rate of HS-SIP is ~7%. Therefore, we strongly encourage applicants to seek other internship and employment opportunities.

Have questions?

Check out our extensive frequently asked questions list to support you in the application process.

Reach out to us with questions at [email protected] .

Lori Conlan

• Deputy Director, Office of Intramural Training and Education

Alexis Schirling

• Program Specialist

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Initiative for Maximizing Student Development

High school summer program.

Discover Biomedical Research Summer Program

A Hands-On Introduction to Medical Research Careers from Diverse Early Career Professionals

Vanderbilt University has a longstanding tradition of training students in the biomedical Sciences through summer research program opportunities. Welcoming curious students from diverse backgrounds, the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) at Vanderbilt University is hosting a 2-week learning basic lab skills program for high school students from Nashville and surrounding areas. The Discover Biomedical Research Summer Program will begin June 10, 2024, to June 21, 2024. The program will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily during the 2-week period. Eligible students must be 10 th , 11 th , or 12 th  grade students that are 16 years old or older.   No prior lab experience is needed!

The purpose of this program is to engage and introduce high school students to the foundation of basic science medical information from diverse early career professionals. A devoted team of Vanderbilt Biomedical Graduate Students will provide stimulating discussions on relatable STEM topics, including understanding evidence-based decisions, social media, community awareness, and academic science culture. High school students who participate will have the opportunity to engage with current IMSD graduate students that will provide 1:1 mentoring, training in lab skills, and discuss graduate school experiences, and cultural commonality fostering cultural awareness and inclusion in the field of medical science.

Students will be responsible for their own transportation. Sessions will begin and end at a designated drive-up location on campus. This will be a standard internship workday style, and housing will  not  be provided. There are no fees associated with this program to participate, and there is a simple application process. The program will provide catered lunches to all high school interns and their graduate student mentors to foster discussion. Also, there will be a closing ceremony where students will have an opportunity to present their research experience/findings in a relaxed setting. COVID vaccination is required to participate in this program.

Application Link :

Application Open : February 1, 2024

Application Deadline:   April 15, 2024

Reference Letter Deadline : April 15, 2024

IMSD-High-School-Program-2024-poster_v1

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Top 25 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students

Do you dream of a career in medicine? Ever wondered what it’s like to be on the front lines of medicine? Helping patients on their road to recovery? But are you confused about how to get started? If a career in healthcare makes your heart race, then summer is the perfect time to explore your passion. 

In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 medical summer programs designed to explore your passion for medicine and give you a head start on your journey. From shadowing doctors to conducting research, these programs offer a taste of the exciting world of medical science. Whether you’re interested in patient care, public health, or medical research, there’s a program out there waiting for you.

Table of Contents

Medical Opportunities Available for High School Students

Summer offers the perfect chance to explore medicine! With more free time and abundant programs, you can gain valuable first-hand experience. From research labs to hospitals, summer medical programs and internships provide a variety of options for high school students. These programs range in cost, with some being free, some charging a fee, and some even offering compensation. Here are some medical opportunities available for high school students:

• Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or nursing home. Volunteering is a great way to gain exposure to the healthcare field and see if it’s a good fit for you. You can assist nurses and other staff members with non-medical tasks, or you may have the opportunity to interact with patients and their families.
• Job shadow a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional. Job shadowing allows you to follow a healthcare professional for a day or more to observe their work and learn about their career path. This is a great way to get a more in-depth look at a specific medical specialty.
• Take a summer medical internship. There are many summer medical internships available for high school students. These internships can provide you with hands-on experience in a variety of medical settings, such as hospitals, research labs, and public health clinics. 
• Enroll in a health profession program. Some high schools offer health professional programs that can introduce you to different healthcare careers. These programs may include courses in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
• Conduct research. If you’re interested in research, you may be able to find a research opportunity at a local hospital, university, or medical school. This can be a great way to learn about the research process and make a contribution to the field of medicine.

This table provides a detailed list of the top 25 summer medical programs you can explore to gain valuable healthcare experience.

Pros and Cons of Medical Programs for High School Students

Medical programs and internships can be a valuable experience for high school students considering a career in healthcare. However, it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before enrolling.

Advantages of medical programs for high school students

• Realistic exposure: These programs offer a firsthand look at different medical careers, from research scientists to medical students. You’ll gain a better understanding of daily tasks and challenges to help you decide if a medical field aligns with your interests.
• College preview (optional): College-based programs provide a taste of college life, including living on campus. This can help you determine if a particular college is a good fit for your learning style and social preferences.
• Career confirmation: Participation in a medical program can solidify your interest in pre-med before you invest time and money in a college degree. A positive experience can also boost your motivation to excel in your studies.
• Networking opportunities: These programs connect you with other students passionate about medicine and science. This fosters valuable friendships and professional connections.
• College application boost: Participating in a medical or science program shows your commitment to the field on your college applications. This can improve your chances of admission to competitive schools.
• Demonstrated interest (optional): Attending a program hosted by your desired college shows genuine interest, which admissions officers appreciate.

Disadvantages of medical programs for high school students

• Cost: While some programs offer stipends, many require tuition fees. It’s important to research individual program costs, including housing and transportation, which may not be covered.
• Competitiveness: Acceptance into some programs is highly competitive. They might have limited enrollment slots or require high GPAs or specific qualifications.
• Limited exposure: Not all programs offer a well-rounded view of medicine. Some may be research-focused, which might not be your area of interest. Choose programs that provide hands-on experiences or exposure to various medical specializations.

From the Desk of Yocket

Summer medical internships offer high school and undergrad students a chance to explore the world of medicine. These programs provide a firsthand glimpse into the daily realities and challenges healthcare professionals face. Shadowing doctors, nurses, and other staff allows you to witness the complexities of patient care and the dedication this field demands.

While observation is valuable, many internships go beyond that. You might be involved in research projects and contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge. This hands-on experience hones your research skills and allows you to explore specific areas of medicine that pique your interest.

There are application competitions and time commitments to consider, and some tasks may be routine. However, the potential benefits far outweigh the challenges. For students with a true passion for medicine, a summer internship can be transformative, solidifying their career goals and providing a roadmap for their future in healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of a medical summer internship.

You get exposure to the healthcare field, gain practical skills, build a resume, and solidify your interest in medicine—all common benefits.

Are medical summer internships paid?

Internships can be paid or unpaid. It’s important to check the specific program description.

When should I start looking for medical internships?

Many medical internships begin accepting applications in the fall or winter for summer positions. Start researching early to identify your top choices.

How long do medical internships typically last?

Summer internships often run for 8–12 weeks, but can vary depending on the program.

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The SARE Mission 

The Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) is a high school component of our Johns Hopkins Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine .  SARE seeks to develop exceptional high school students from low-income (<200% of the federal poverty level) and educationally under-resourced (most commonly first-generation college or attends, or would have attended based on their home address, a high school where the majority are also low-income) backgrounds, by introducing them to biomedical research. The students who go through the program are known as “SARE Scholars”.  To date, 95% of our scholars who have reached college age have matriculated into college with nearly 100% receiving partial or full financial support.  SARE also has ≥64% college completion rate by four years post high school graduation, and a ≥77% college completion rate by six years post-high school graduation.  80% have graduated with degrees in STEM or medical-related majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical-related sciences; STEMM).  These outcomes compare quite favorably to the 10-14% national college completion rate by six years post-college matriculation for students from socioeconomically under-resourced backgrounds.

SARE provides its scholars with a unique exposure to modern scientific research, combined with additional tutoring to fortify academic skills. The rationale is that many low-income youth may not have had the opportunity to be exposed to environments where creative and critical thinking skills are emphasized, where substantial academic accomplishment is celebrated, and where colleagues of all levels are ready to help when one needs it. Laboratories within academic research universities cultivate this type of environment. Therefore, we leverage this environment and utilize our science in outreach to this younger group of students. While research universities already have many outreach programs, most target the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate levels. Through SARE, Johns Hopkins targets adolescents at a critical age in an intensive manner, allowing for substantial impact that will carry on through these students’ lives.

Baltimore is an area of great need. Approximately 34% of children in Baltimore City grow up in poverty, which is nearly three times higher than the national rate (13%). Situated in East Baltimore, SARE provides a conduit for promising, socioeconomically under-resourced students to achieve the academic and professional skills as well as the network needed to succeed.

Please see Program Features to learn about the facets of SARE, including its four pillars: Mentoring, Professionalism, Research, and Academic Fortification.

For a downloadable, short description of SARE, click  here .

Program Features

Academic Fortification

Partnering Organizations

Professionalism

Scientific Presentation: Celebrating Accomplishment

Interested in applying? 

Eligibility requirements:

• Scholars must come from households with collective incomes below 200% of the federal poverty limit. This amount is normalized by household size. Please see the table in the application.
• Scholars must be educationally under-resourced. Scholars most frequently meet this criterion by being first generation college or went to, or would have gone to, a high school where the majority are also low income (a.k.a. Pell grant or Free And Reduced Meals (FARM) eligible). We also consider other extenuating circumstances.
• Scholars must super-motivated to succeed.

The application portal for Summer, 2025 has not yet opened. Once it opens, we will post the link here.

Please contact Mrs. Pamela Hamm ( [email protected] ) or Dr. Douglas Robinson ( [email protected] ) for more information.

We thank our Supporters:  Boys Hope Girls Hope, Baltimore Health Resources and Services Administration The Thomas Wilson Foundation The Johns Hopkins University The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine United Way of Central Maryland Warnock Foundation Burroughs Wellcome Fund Toffler Family Charitable Trust The Herbert Bearman Foundation

The Spudich Family Joyce A. Robinson Living Trust

We thank our partnering organizations:  Boys Hope Girls Hope, Baltimore The SEED School of Maryland KIPP Academy, Baltimore Green Street Academy, Baltimore Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Greater Grace Christian Academy Baltimore City College Eastern Technical High School

Announcements:

Dec. 19, 2023: Three SARE scholars just got accepted into the Johns Hopkins undergraduate program. Two other scholars have received full-ride scholarships to other universities too. That is 100% of 2023 SARE scholars who were rising seniors this past summer, getting great news for their next steps in their journey.

Feb. 13, 2023: We welcome our new SARE Director, Pamela Hamm!  Please read more about Pam here .  Welcome, Pam!  We are very excited to have you a part of the SARE, CSM and Robinson Lab Team!

Jun 7, 2021: Multi-year SARE scholar Shantika Bhat is College Bound Foundation’s Scholar of the Year!  Shantika will begin her college journey at Johns Hopkins this fall.  Awesome, Shantika!

Jun 7, 2021: Multi-year SARE scholar Kristiana Smith just got her publication on “The shifting shape of the genomes: dynamics of heterochromatin interactions at the nuclear lamina” published.  Kristiana is a rising freshman at Johns Hopkins.  You are rockin’ it, Kristiana!

Jul 24, 2020: Thinzar Htwe, SARE Scholar 2019 and rising Stanford freshman, published her excellent Op-Ed piece on the importance of socioeconomic and racial/ethnic diversity in STEM and healthcare.  Her Op-Ed was published in the Stanford Daily: Preparing Future Generations: BIPOC and FLI representation in science, research, and medicine .

Jan 20, 2020: Doctoral Diversity Program Scholar and now 2nd-yr medical student Michelle Colbert and I got to share the story of the Johns Hopkins Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine on “Midday with Tom Hall on WYPR (88.1) in Baltimore.  Michelle was awesome in this interview!  Here is the link:  MLK Jr. Day of Service, Pt 2: Hopkins’ Careers in Science & Medicine Initiative

Dec 2, 2019: Here is our write up for the Americal Society for Cell Biology on the CSM Initiative: The Johns Hopkins Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine

Nov 29, 2019: Q&A: The Next Generation of Scientific Researchers – check out the discussion with SARE alums, Thinzar Htwe, Jasmine Burrell, and Dwayne Thomas.

Jul 16, 2019: SARE Scholar Thinzar Htwe received the CARES Symposium Scholarship!  Congratulations, Thinzar!

Jul 16, 2019: Congrats to Kristiana Smith and Thinzar Htwe for being selected to share their stories at this year’s CARES Symposium!  In addition, Kristiana and Thinzar will present their research at the CARES event, which will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Jul 5, 2018: SARE Scholars become movers and shakers in their communities.  See what emerging leader Stephanie Keyaka is up too – Penn State Student Fights for Change in Charm City

Jul 21, 2017: SARE Scholar Jasmine Burrell was the CollegeBound Foundation (CBF) Scholar of the Year and gave the keynote speech at the CBF’s Luncheon (Jasmine presented right before Under Armour founder Kevin Plank gave his talk).  Jasmine is matriculating into University of Maryland College Park where she will major in biochemistry.  Kudos also to Erin Goley who was Jasmine’s research mentor PI!

And while we are at it, SARE had two scholars recognized by the CollegeBound Foundation at the luncheon.  In addition to Jasmine, current SARE Scholar Kalila Holley was a CollegeBound Foundation Scholar of the Week.

The CBF recognizes 12 Scholars of the Week each year for their academic achievements, leadership, and community service, and they develop a 30-s commercial highlighting the scholar, which airs on Fox-45 for a week.  In addition, the Scholar of the Year receives a $1000 scholarship from the CBF.

Jul 19, 2017: The Careers in Science and Medicine went to the Hill to advocate for the Health Careers Opportunity Program, which supports the CSM and SARE.  DDP Director Deidra Crews, SARE scholar Tori Gillam, DDP scholar Ricardo Perez Dulzaides, SARE Director Doug Robinson, and Kristen Reek of Johns Hopkins Governmental Affairs participated.  We had terrific meetings with the Representative Antony Brown, Suzanne Brown (Representative Elizah Cummings’ office), Ziky Ababiya (Senator Van Hollen’s office), Arnold Solamillos (Senator Cardin’s office), and Tara Oursler (Representative Ruppersberger’s office).  See our photo with Representative Antony Brown in the slider.  Tori and Ricardo were outstanding advocates for HCOP!

Jul 14, 2017: SARE welcomes back 2013 SARE Scholar Milan Dower.  Milan is now a biomedical engineering major at University of Miami (3.7 GPA – Go Milan! – though we aren’t surprised! .  Milan will share her college experience with the current SARE scholars.  Can’t wait to see you, Milan!

Mar 7, 2017: DDP scholars Uriel Sanchez and Mobolanle Adebesin have multiple acceptances into MD and MD/PhD programs.  Uriel has acceptances into several MD programs, including at Johns Hopkins, Stanford and Harvard.  Mobolanle has acceptances into MD/PhD programs, including at Emory, Vanderbilt, Washington University St. Louis, and University of Chicago.  This is very exciting!  Congrats, Bola and Uriel!

Feb 19, 2017: Check out our video describing our outreach program, the Johns Hopkins Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine .

Dec 12, 2016:  Check out our Op-Ed piece in support of the federal Health Careers Opportunity Program:  Don’t cut a federal program that helps disadvantaged students enter health careers .  Please remind your senators and representatives how much impact we can have for a pretty small investment!

Nov 22, 2016: The Johns Hopkins Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine: Helping Scholars Overcome Socioeconomic Barriers may now receive support through the United Way of Central Maryland and may be identified as JH Careers in Science and Medicine: Overcoming Socioeconomic Barriers with designation code 2994.  

Nov 21, 2016:  Our pipeline initiative, which includes SARE, Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT), Summer Internship Program (SIP), and the Doctoral Diversity Program (DDP), will now be identified as the Johns Hopkins Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine: Helping Scholars Overcome Socioeconomic Barriers ( CSM for short).

​Nov 21, 2016: Doctoral Diversity Program Scholar Mobolanle Adebesin was just accepted into the Emory University MD-PhD program. Congratulations, Bola!

​Nov 21, 2016: We learned last week that several more of our SARE scholars have returned to school and are now realizing a 1.5 or greater increase in their GPAs as compared to last spring before they came to SARE.

June 21, 2016: We were awarded a grant from the Thomas Wilson Foundation for the Children of Baltimore.  Thank you, TWF!

Aug 17, 2015: We received word today that we were awarded a ~$2M Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).   With this grant, we will now double our number of students at the high school level (to >25 students/yr between SARE and our partnering program BRBT, which is another Hopkins high school program that shares our goals and values).  We will also expand to include undergraduates (~17/yr) from disadvantaged backgrounds as part of the Summer Internship Program (SIP).  We will also create a new program, the Doctoral Diversity Program (DDP), which will provide a 1-year mentored research and career development opportunity to 5 postbaccalaureate students annually.  To accomplish this, we have assembled a wonderful team of Johns Hopkins Faculty and Staff who will help make this happen.  Our overall goal is to establish a pipeline program to prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds to be able to pursue advanced degrees in medical and STEM fields.  Overall, this is a massive, comprehensive effort in which we will be impacting 48, 52, and 56 students in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively.

Jul 30, 2015: Check out Assefa Akinwole’s CARES Symposium Talk .

Four more scholars will matriculate into college this fall (2015). 1. Christopher Miller will attend Allegheny College as a mathematics major and on a full-ride scholarship from the National Science Foundation. 2. Stephanie Keyaka will attend Penn State, majoring in political science, and will be in the Schreyer Honors Program. 3. Diana Bobb will major in chemistry or biology at the University of Dayton and received scholarship and grant support from the university. 4. De’Sean Markley will attend Furman University and major in chemistry or biology.  De’Sean also received considerable financial support.

Please get involved: If you are interested in helping support SARE, please contact Doug Robinson ( [email protected] ) or Kevin McGuire, Senior Associate Director of Development Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences ( [email protected] ).

Program Feature

Mentoring plays a primary role in SARE. SARE scholars work in research labs with a doctoral student or postdoctoral fellow. This mentor-mentee relationship is formative for scholars as they learn how to work in a professional environment, learn good work and study habits, and how…

Recent News

We received word today that we were awarded a ~$2M Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) grant from the Health Resources... Read More

Christopher Miller become a published author!  See his paper here.... Read More

To ensure that SARE is top flight and to help make SARE scalable, we sought the advice of experts in... Read More

SARE Scholars spend 70% of their time in research labs where they become engaged in an active research project. Scholars learn numerous state-of-the-art techniques, while learning to think critically, ask questions, and develop original testable hypotheses. Our scholars make new discoveries and have even become…

Summer Pathway Programs

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is home to a variety of pathway programs that prepare and inspire talented high school and college students to pursue careers in medicine and in health-related research.

Program Outcomes PSOMER and CAMP participants have gone on to attend medical school at institutions such as: Baylor University, Emory University, Indiana University, Loyola University, Meharry Medical College, The University of Chicago, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Miami, University of Pennsylvania, Wright State University.

Program Contacts Nikeela Davis , Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Administrator

We are currently planning to have CAMP and PSOMER in person for summer 2024. Please note that this is subject to change based on guidance of the IL Department of Public Health and the advice of our own UCM experts in epidemiology and infectious diseases.

Chicago Academic Medicine Program (CAMP)  is an eight-week research, education, and mentoring experience for students who are rising juniors and seniors in college. Students participate in either basic science or clinical research projects during the program, which concludes with a research presentation forum.

Eligibility and Prerequisites Applicants must be US citizens or have Permanent Resident status. The program seeks students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or who represent groups that are known to be underrepresented in health-related sciences and medicine. Ideal candidates should -

• Be a rising junior or senior
• Have successfully completed a collegiate-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics course;
• Have exposure to clinical or basic research in the sciences;
• Have a firm interest in medicine and healthcare; and
• Be in excellent academic standing at their home institution

Program Structure Students will create mentor relationships with faculty, clinical lab staff, and medical school administrators; be engaged during weekly cluster group meetings; hone and improve research and presentation skills; and receive pre-medical advising and MCAT preparation.

Program Dates

• Program dates: Monday, June 10, 2024 - Monday, August 5, 2024
• Application dates: Monday, November 20, 2023 – Monday, January 29, 2024 

Program Information

• Location: Hyde Park campus in Chicago, IL
• Academic credit: Not provided.
• Daily transportation: We will provide a Ventra card with $100 credit on the first day of the program to access CTA. The University provides free daytime shuttle service around the campus areas and portions of the neighboring communities. To ride shuttles, all passengers must present their UChicago Medical Center ID.  
• Health Insurance: Not provided. Students must submit proof of health insurance for participation.
• Stipend: Students who successfully matriculate and complete the program will receive a total stipend of $3,200.
• Housing: Housing is not provided for CAMP. Participants will need to reside locally in Chicago during the program. Please keep in mind our program is in person every day and your address should be a commutable distance from our Hyde Park campus. Students are expected to secure their own housing and should report their summer address to the program administrator.

To apply to CAMP, follow the steps below

Complete applications include the following - 

• CAMP Application 2023-2024
• All letters must be on official school/organization letterhead and submitted to Nikki Davis ([email protected]) by the application deadline. 
• Official transcripts may be requested and should be sent directly by your institution.
• Housing is not provided for CAMP. Participants will need to reside locally in Chicago during the program. Please keep in mind our program is in person every day and your address should be a commutable distance from our Hyde Park campus. Students are expected to secure their own housing and should report their summer address to the program administrator. As a result, you must disclose your local address and contacts within your completed application.

Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER)  is an eight-week residential research, education, and mentoring experience at the University of Chicago. Participants in the program are rising college juniors or seniors. 

Eligibility and Prerequisites Applicants must be US citizens or have Permanent Resident status. The program seeks students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or who represent groups that are known to be underrepresented in health related sciences and medicine. Due to the nature of the NIH grant that supports PSOMER, participants cannot be appointed to another NIH training award (such as a T32 or an individual F series fellowship) or supported by a federal research grant during the program period. Unfortunately, students with F1 student visa status are not eligible for PSOMER.  

Ideal candidates should -

• Be a rising junior or senior
• Have successfully completed intermediate- or advanced-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics courses;

Program Structure Students will participate in either basic science laboratories or clinical research projects throughout the duration of the program.    The program concludes with a mandatory research presentation forum at the end of the summer. Weekly cluster groups will support the laboratory research work of each participant. These groups will explore medical and research ethics, health care disparities, statistics and research tools. Students will also receive mentorship and guidance from Pritzker Medical School students and staff. This includes advising sessions with Pritzker admissions officers and social events with Pritzker and University of Chicago summer research program students. Participants will live on campus at the University of Chicago for the 8 week experience in order to foster the same sense of community and cooperative learning that exists among our medical school students. Participants will not be permitted to work part-time jobs, take any additional classes during the program, or be involved in any formal or informal MCAT or application preparation process for medical school during the program. There will be considerable lab work to conduct and out-of-lab/classwork to prepare.

• Application Deadline: Monday, January 29, 2024. Survey will close at 11:59 PM.
• Program Dates: Monday, June 10, 2024 - Monday, August 5, 2024
• Housing: Housing will be provided.
• Health Insurance: Will be provided for PSOMER students.
• Stipend: Students who successfully matriculate and complete the program will receive a total stipend of $3,200. 

To apply to PSOMER, follow the steps below

• PSOMER Application 2023-24

Other Programs at The University of Chicago

Pipeline program database in biological sciences division.

Summer Programs

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Biomedical Research Academy

Residential

Courses offered on-campus

Non-credit program

Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students

International students welcome

Financial aid for select Philadelphia students

July 6 - July 27, 2024

• Residential move-in date: July 6
• Move-out date: July 27

Summer 2024 applications are closed. The applications for summer 2025 will open in late fall 2024. Please sign up to receive more information.

Apply now »

The Biomedical Research Academy introduces the experimental basis of cellular, molecular, and genetic aspects of biology, focusing on relevance to diseases. Fusing daily lectures, faculty research talks, laboratory experiments, and small group investigations into current research topics, students gain insight into the core of biomedical research. The Biomedical Research Academy is fully residential with no commuter or online options.

If you attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school,  you may be eligible to attend a Penn Summer Academy free of charge with a  Penn Summer Scholarship .

Get application information »

Lectures: Featured lecturers include scientists, clinicians, and faculty from the Department of Biology and Penn's School of Medicine. Topics include genome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas-9, vaccines, antibiotic resistance, bioethics, and much more. Penn researchers present recent discoveries made in their labs here on campus.

Journal club: Students are placed into small groups to discuss peer-reviewed research articles. Under the guidance of a Penn researcher or faculty member, students learn how to read, interpret, analyze, and critique primary research.

Laboratory: Students perform molecular biology experiments in the same labs that are used for undergraduate courses. Using techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction analysis, bacterial transformation, and ELISA, students will determine their own blood type, investigate gene expression in bacteria, and analyze a mock disease outbreak.

Download:  2024 Syllabus (PDF)

Prerequisites

• One year of high school biology is required for application
• One year of high school chemistry is strongly advised
• For any students who will be using the course Living Earth or Living Environment as their one year of biology prerequisite, please include the course description with your transcripts for the admissions committee to review.

Program Co-Director: Kieran Dilks, PhD Dr. Dilks teaches high school in Haddonfield, New Jersey and is a part-time biology instructor at the University of Pennsylvania. He loves the subject matter and is passionate about inspiring and teaching the next generation of biomedical researchers. Dr. Dilks earned his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006, worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University from 2006-2007, and has been teaching at high school and university ever since.

Program Co-Director: Ryan Dilks, MA Ryan Dilks, who serves as the program co-director, is a Rutgers University graduate with a background in general science. He is dedicated to continually refining his cram of teaching, evident by him earning a master's degree in teaching and learning in 2003 along with various other graduate-level education classes. Since 1997, he has passionately inspired his students at Cherokee High School to develop a similar love of science. His teaching philosophy centers around challenging young minds and fostering a self-belief in his pupils that they are able to accomplish more than they had ever imagined. Beyond academia, Mr. Dilks is driven by a profound love for nature, travel and the new experiences that it brings, and family.

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Top 10 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students

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If you are a student who is interested in going into the medical field, you might want to get your foot in the door early. Many schools provide summer programs for medical-minded students to immerse themselves in health studies. In this article, we share some medical internships for high school students that can help you get an early start on your chosen career!

What is a summer medical program?

A summer medical program offers high school students the opportunity to learn more about the medical fields that interest them. These programs typically take place on college campuses and last from a few days to a week long. The programs provide students with hands-on experience that they would not receive if studying the material on their own time.

Don’t miss: Top summer programs for high school students

Why we selected the following summer medical programs

We selected the following medical programs and internships (listed in no particular order) for high school students because they are some of the most innovative programs out there. In addition to some costlier programs, we also included some free and low cost options in order to accommodate the financial situations of all students.  

Also see: Free summer programs for high school students

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Top 10 summer medical programs for high schoolers , 1. medical immersion summer academy.

The Medical Immersion Summer Academy is a health program designed to give pre-medical high school students the opportunity to get out into the field for hands-on experience. MISA is located in Oakland, California, and they utilize local institutions, such as Alameda Health Systems, Samuel Merritt University, and private clinicians in their area. The application for this program generally opens in January. The price for this academy includes program materials, name tags, shirts, daily snacks and lunches, and all Health Certifications.

• Program benefits : Networking events, certifications (including CPR, First Aid and AED, Stop the Bleed and Teen Mental Health Certifications), Shadowing at a level-1 trauma center
• July 8-12, 2024
• July 15-19, 2024
• July 22-26, 2024
• July 29 – August 3, 2024
• Cost: Each session costs $1,400, in addition to the $50 non-refundable application fee 

2. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Attendees of the CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp learn about the field of public health and the science of epidemiology. This camp does not have a specific medical treatment focus, so if you want to be a doctor or something of that nature, the CDC Camp could still be beneficial. However, it will not give you hands-on experience. This camp is for high school juniors and seniors, and students must be over the age of 16 to comply with lab safety requirements. The CDC Museum is located in Atlanta, Georgia. 

• Program benefits : Work with current CDC staff members, mock press conferences, in-laboratory work sessions, introduction to chronic disease surveillance, hands on work with public health law
• Program dates: June 24-28 and July 22-26, 2024
• Cost: The program itself is free, but students attending the camp are responsible for their own transportation, housing, personal protective equipment, and meals

3. The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week online enrichment program that focuses on medicine. It is open to low-income and underrepresented high school juniors who live in California. This program is now being held on campus for the first time since the pandemic. The application closes every year in March for the next summer. 

• Program benefits : Opportunity to participate in health disparity research groups, supportive peer community, leadership opportunities, opportunities to participate in lectures in medicine, public health, and health science
• Program dates: June 24 to July 26, 2024
• Cost: This program is free, and they do not provide housing because the program is only open to students who live in specific counties in California. They also offer a stipend to admitted students.

4. Rady Children’s Medical Academy

The Rady Children’s Medical Academy is based out of Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California. This program provides high school students with the opportunity to experience the healthcare world with hands-on activities. What makes this program different from others is that they have a larger program, but also offer weekend programs as well. Each of these programs have different topics and appeal to different medical careers. Some of these weekend programs include Working as a Physician’s Assistant, Becoming a Professional Nurse, and Mental Health Matters in Medicine. They also offer an Advanced Medical Program.

• Program benefits : Opportunities to participate in skills clinics, lectures, group projects, career panels and interactive discussions. 
• Session 1: June 17-28, 2024
• July 8-19, 2024
• Cost: $3,000 

5. The National Institute of Health High School Summer Internship Program

The National Institute of Health (NIH) offers a high school summer medical internship for all high schoolers above the age of 17  that are juniors or seniors at the time of the application. Applicants must also live within 40 miles of the NIH campus in which they choose to intern at. Within the NIH, there are two separate programs that high school students can apply for– HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0. 

• Program benefits : Exploration of STEM-M careers, leadership training, wellness programming, and preparation for future scholarships and internships
• Program dates: Interns must start their positions by start their positions on July 8, 2024
• Cost: This program is free, and students also earn a monetary stipend for participating in the internship

6. Georgetown University Summer Medical Academy

Georgetown’s One-Week Medical Academy is a great option if you are looking for medical internships for high school students. The program offers high school students hands-on experience in the medical field. Students have access to top rated professors who provide them with knowledge that will give them a leg-up when they are applying to colleges. During this one-week academy, students have the opportunity to learn about human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and infectious diseases, just to name a few. 

• Program benefits : Work with patient simulator, learn about dissections from college professors, explore latest medical advancements, gain hands on experience in taking vitals, and work with Georgetown students and professors
• Medical Academy I: June 9-15, 2024
• Medical Academy II: June 23-29, 2024
• Medical Academy III: July 7-13, 2024
• Cost: $3,549, including tuition, housing, and meals

Don’t miss: Guide to attend medical school for free

7. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital High School Senior Summer Internship Program

The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center holds an eight-week internship for graduating high school seniors every summer that is a paid internship rather than a college preparation program. This is a part time position, so students can expect to be working for about 20 hours a week while participating in this program. You must live in the Cincinnati area and be a graduating high school senior to apply. 

• Program benefits : Experience with a paid internship 
• Program dates: Orientation Day is June 4th, 2024 and attendance is required. The program runs for 8-weeks after this date
• Cost: This is a paid internship

Also see: Guide to making a resume as a high school student

8. Wake Forest University’s Summer Medical Immersion Program

At Wake Forest University’s Summer Medical Immersion Program , students have the opportunity to dive into their careers early on with on-site visits to healthcare facilities. Students also go on tours of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, participate in labs, and network with faculty and students. Wake Forest is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and works with local facilities to team up for this program. 

• Program benefits : Opportunity to learn about internal medicine, cardiovascular physiology and pathology, neurology, ultrasound, cancer care, medical research, and COVID-19 in a hands-on environment
• Program dates: June 9 – 14 or July 14 – 19
• Cost: $3,000

Don’t miss: How to get an internship guide

9. National Student Leadership Conference: Medical and Healthcare Program

The National Student Leadership Conference’s Medical and Healthcare Programs are different from others because they offer so many locations and a variety of options. This is great for students who want to experience different cities. Another unique attribute of this program is that they offer college credit if the student qualifies. Exclusive guest speakers are featured throughout the program’s duration. 

• Program benefits : Gain surgical experience, participate in clinical diagnostic simulations, tour medical facilities, and work on a public health project 
• Program dates: There are a number of dates across each of the 8 locations, but all of the program dates are in the summer
• Cost: The tuition varies depending on which program location you choose, but usually somewhere between $3,795-$3,995. There are scholarship opportunities for this program

10. University of Pennsylvania Biomedical Research Academy

The UPenn Biomedical Research Academy is for high school students with an interest in biology. In this program, students learn about biology on a cellular, molecular, and genetic level with a focus on diseases. All high school grades are eligible  to apply, and international students are welcome. If you are a student within a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school, you have an opportunity to attend this academy free of cost with a scholarship.  

• Program benefits : Opportunity to partake in daily lectures, faculty research talks, lab experiments, and small group discussions about research
• Program dates: July 6 – 27, 2024
• Cost: Tuition is $5,700 and includes program fees and residential costs.

Don’t miss: Top summer scholarships

• Take your time on your applications and make sure you re-read everything before you hit that “submit” button
• Start asking your teachers and mentors for letters of recommendation now so that you are ahead of the game when it comes time to submit your applications to medical internships for high school students
• Research college admissions essays– this is a great place to start when writing an essay for an application to one of these internships

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Research Training Program for High School Students

Applications Open January 8

Applications for the Summer 2024 Research Training Program open on Monday, January 8, and will close on Sunday, March 10, 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

Submit an Application

About the 2024 Summer Program

Seattle Children’s Research Institute is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce, and inspiring the next generation of scientists, physicians and healthcare workers. During the summer, our Science Education Department offers high school students the opportunity to learn more about biomedical research.

For summer 2024, we are offering an in-person programs led by PhD-level scientists and educators. Students will learn how to work in a research laboratory environment and learn about topics including biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases. Students will also participate in workshops on college readiness and career exploration. These programs provide students with a solid foundation for a future career in biomedical research. There is no cost to participate.

The Research Training Program (RTP) is an in-person program with a competitive application process and is intended for local students who reside within commuting distance of downtown Seattle. Stipends are available to offset costs for transportation and meals. The program does not provide or arrange housing for students.

The Research Training Program is for students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in the biomedical and health sciences as defined by the National Institutes of Health . Students from these groups are highly encouraged to apply:

• Blacks or African Americans
• Hispanics or Latinx
• American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Indigenous
• Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders
• Individual with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended .
• Individuals who meet two or more of the criteria for disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by the National Institutes of Health .

We are not offering the Virtual Research Training Program in 2024.

Program Information

The 2024 Research Training Program is a fully in-person experience in a laboratory classroom. There are no hybrid or virtual options. The wearing of isolation or higher-level masks is highly recommended.

Application Timeline

• Monday, January 8, 2024 : Applications for the Summer 2024 Research Training Program open.
• Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time : Applications are due. Students must submit an application form before this due date. Late applications will not be considered.
• Sunday, March 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time : Letters of Recommendation are due. Letter writers must submit their letters before this due date. It is highly recommended that students give their letter writers at least three weeks’ notice before this due date.
• April : Applications are reviewed.
• Early May : Applicants will be notified of their status: accepted, waitlisted, or not selected.
• Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 4–5:30 p.m. : There is a mandatory in-person Orientation Session at Seattle Children’s Research Institute in downtown Seattle. Students will submit required paperwork at this orientation.
• The Research Training Program will take place over four weeks from Monday, July 8 to Friday, August 2, 2024, from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. daily.
• Lectures on biochemistry, immunology, global and public health, and infectious diseases
• Labs on microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, immunoassays, isolating white blood cells, polymerase chain reaction, bacterial transformation, gene editing, and more.
• College and career workshops
• Facility tours
• Group research project and presentation

Eligibility

The Research Training Program is open to current 10th grade (rising junior), 11th grade (rising senior), or 12th grade (graduating senior) high school students who have not yet applied to college.

Students must have a strong interest in one of the following fields: biology, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, or a related scientific field. Prior knowledge of these fields is not required.

Students must be able to reside within commuting distance of downtown Seattle for the duration of the program. The program does not provide or arrange housing for students. Prior formal research experience is not required. Program applicants seeking their first research experience will be prioritized over applicants who have completed other research programs and/or internships to optimize the program’s impact.

Students will receive a stipend, which is considered reportable income by the Internal Revenue Service. Therefore, students must have a SSN to participate in the RTP.

Frequently Asked Questions

• We are not offering the online Virtual Research Training Program (VRTP) in 2024.
• The Research Training Program is for students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in the biomedical and health sciences as  defined by the National Institutes of Health .
• While we prioritize students from these backgrounds, we consider many factors when reviewing applications.
• If you have experienced other factors that are not listed in the eligibility criteria, you can explain in your application essay.
• The RTP is not a medical program. The RTP is best suited for students interested in laboratory research at Seattle Children’s Research Institute.
• Students will not be working at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and we will not be working with patients. Also, we will not be covering medical school in great detail. If you are interested in volunteer or clinical positions at Seattle Children's Hospital, please visit  High School and Youth Service Projects ,  Summer Nurse Camp or Summer Scrubs & ’Scopes Camp .
• Preparation for the college application process is a major component of the RTP. Students in Running Start or who are enrolled in college courses while still in high school are eligible to apply for the RTP, as long as they have not yet applied to college.
• Participants of the RTP will receive a stipend, which is considered reportable income by the Internal Revenue Service. Therefore, students must have a SSN to participate in the RTP.
• Participants are highly encouraged to properly wear isolation or higher-level masks that cover the nose and mouth.
• This is a competitive program, and we receive and carefully review many more applications than we have capacity for. The lab has a capacity of 24 students.

How to Participate

Step 1. ask your letter writer.

Contact your letter writer as soon as possible to request a letter of recommendation.

Please select someone to write a letter of recommendation for you. This individual should be someone who will speak well of your academic or professional accomplishments, such as a teacher, advisor, or employer. We highly recommend that you ask them at least three weeks in advance.

When you submit your application form (see Step 2 below), an email will be sent automatically to your letter writer with instructions on how to submit the letter of recommendation.

Step 2. Application Form

The application form is due on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

Please respond to the following essay prompts. Our expectation is that your application materials will be your own original composition.

• Tell us about yourself. Describe how you see your role in enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. (Maximum of 3,000 characters with spaces or ~500 words)
• Why are you interested in this laboratory research program? (Maximum of 1,200 characters with spaces or ~200 words)
• Describe any previous work or volunteer experience and skills you gained that are applicable to this program. (Note: A lack of research experience will not exclude you from this program.) (Maximum of 1,200 characters with spaces or ~200 words)
• What major do you intend to pursue in college? If you are undecided, what area of study do you intend to pursue in college? (Maximum of 1,200 characters with spaces or ~200 words)
• Explain how participating in this training program that focuses on laboratory research and biomedical science will help you achieve your college goals? (Maximum of 1,200 characters with spaces or ~200 words)

Step 3. Letter of Recommendation

When you submit your application form, an email will be sent automatically to your letter writer with instructions on how to submit the letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation is due on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

The application form and letter of recommendation do not need to be received at the same time.

If there are any questions or concerns, please email the  Science Education Department .

Thank you for your interest in the Research Training Program at Seattle Children’s Research Institute!

This page was last updated on December 18, 2023.

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High School & Undergraduate Programs

Stanford Medicine has a number of opportunities for high school students and undergraduates at Stanford and other schools preparing for a future in medicine or science.

Undergraduate Programs   |   For Both High School Students & Undergraduates   |   High School Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Canary Cancer Research Education Summer Training Program (CREST)

This 10-week program matches participants with a faculty mentor who helps them craft a research project in a state-of-the-art lab.

Dia de los Muertos Pre-Health Conference

This day-long event provides academic, professional, cultural and social support to Chicanos and Latinos pursuing careers in the areas of science, medicine and public health. The three Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education (C.H.E.) groups in the Bay Area (UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and Stanford) rotate hosting the annual conference.

Stanford Summer Research Program

This fully-funded residential program helps undergraduates of diverse backgrounds prepare for PhD programs in the sciences.

Stanford Summer Premedical Programs

This six-week residential program targets community college students in the Northern California region, providing exposure to medicine and health through a variety of topics.

Undergraduate Pre-Renal Initiative

Stanford's Pre-Renal Initiative seeks to develop a thriving research training program for undergraduate students in adult and pediatric nephrology and (benign) urology. During the 10-week summer program, students work full-time in the labs and clinics of  Pre-Renal Faculty Mentors .

Stanford University Minority Medical Alliance Pre-Health Conference

Ideal for undergraduate students considering medicine as a career, this day-long conference offers an in-depth experience of what it takes to enter the medical field and succeed.

Cardinal Free Clinics

Cardinal Free Clinics educate and empower the next generation of health care leaders through internships to proactively address health disparities and improve access to care in their communities.

Ethnicity and Medicine

A spring lecture series that challenges undergraduate students to explore how culture and language impact the effectiveness of clinical encounters.

Leadership Education for Aspiring Physicians (LEAP)

LEAP is a project-based seminar series designed for Bay Area premedical students seeking structured leadership development while improving community health and wellness.

For Both High School Students & Undergraduates

Stanford Anesthesia Summer Institute

An engaging two-week program for undergraduates and high school students interested in exploring careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), medicine, and health technology. Stanford faculty mentor students as they work towards solving real healthcare design challenges. 

Stanford Clinical Internship

A two-week program for premed undergraduates and motivated high school students interested in medicine. The curriculum includes lectures about medical specialties, laboratory learning opportunities, and sessions with current students and medical school admissions officers.

Civic Engagement Symposium

This symposium explores multidisciplinary approaches toward improving health, illness, and wellness. Presenters have have developed and implemented community health – related projects, events, activities, programs and initiatives with a community or educational partner.

Stanford STARS Internship Program

Interns with the Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) summer program spend seven weeks mastering basic lab techniques, participating in research projects, and presenting their work, all under the mentorship of experienced researchers.

High School Programs

Stanford  Cardiothoracic Surgery Internship

The Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center's Stanford Summer Internship is designed to educate high school students considering careers in science and medicine in cardiothoracic surgical anatomy and physiology as well as surgical techniques that will be utilized in pre-medical and medical training.

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Program

This eight-week program gives high school students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral scholars and students on a medically oriented project.

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

This fully funded summer residential program helps low-income and ethnically underrepresented sophomore and junior high school students from Northern California to prepare for careers in medicine. 

SMASH Medical Curriculum

A free-of-cost, STEM-intensive college preparation program for underrepresented and low-income high school students, this five-week program is comprised of five sessions designed to expose the students to a range of healthcare careers. 

Stanford EXPLORE

This four-week lecture series provides an introduction to current research conducted by faculty in Stanford Medicine's Institutes of Medicine, as well as research in the fields of bioengineering and genetics. 

Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience at Stanford

This intensive one-week summer program includes interactive seminars with Stanford faculty and researchers, and the opportunity to work on a team to develop solutions to social issues related to psychiatry, psychology or neuroscience.

Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)

The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a 6-week program in which high school students from diverse backgrounds are invited to learn about science, medicine, and research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project. The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine in high school students, helping students to understand how scientific research is performed, and increasing diversity of students and researchers in the sciences. 

Harris Neuroscience Internship 

Founded by Stanford neurosurgeon Odette Harris, MD, the annual Harris Neuroscience Internship is for high school students who identify as an under-represented minority. Participants will be paired with a mentor from the Stanford Neuroscience community for the duration of their experience. 

Summer of Neurosciences

The Stanford/VA Summer of Neurosciences Program is a virtual one month experience for high school students to learn about the field of neuroscience. Participants will join a weekly journal club, meet with scientific and medical professionals, and learn about clinical and basic science topics.

Neuroscience Journal Club

The Neuroscience Journal Club is a nine-month program for high-school students. Under the mentorship of expert Stanford scientists, participants will read and discuss scientific literature and newsworthy developments in the field of neuroscience.

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Masks Strongly Recommended but Not Required in Maryland

Respiratory viruses continue to circulate in Maryland, so masking remains strongly recommended when you visit Johns Hopkins Medicine clinical locations in Maryland. To protect your loved one, please do not visit if you are sick or have a COVID-19 positive test result. Get more resources on masking and COVID-19 precautions .

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Pathway Programs

Summer internship program.

Applications for the 2024 cohort of the Summer Internship Program (SIP) are closed. We will open to accept applications for the 2025 cohort on November 1, 2024 .

2025 SIP will take place from Sunday, May 25 th – Saturday, August 2 nd .

Program Overview

The Summer Internship Program (SIP) provides experience in biomedical and/or public health research to current undergraduate students from all backgrounds -  including  students from racial/ethnic groups underrepresented in science and medicine, students from low-income/underserved backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The program provides research exposure for those interested in potential careers in science, medicine, and public health.

Participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in research, scientific experimentation, and other scholarly investigations under the close guidance of faculty or research mentors. SIP students take part in a range of professional and career development activities, networking events, and research discussions. Students also can present their work in oral or poster format at the conclusion of the program. In addition, SIP students often go on to present their summer research at national conferences throughout the year.

The program runs approximately ten weeks and student stipends range from $3,000 - $5,500. Housing is provided at no cost to participants.

Overall, SIP interns can expect an experience similar to that of a first-year graduate student who does a three-month rotation in a laboratory. SIP interns become acquainted with their lab’s scope exploration and investigative techniques. Before arrival, each SIP intern receives several papers related to their specific research project. Interns are assigned their own lab project, and the goal of the project and its relationship to other work in the area will be discussed. Participants also receive training in the techniques necessary to conduct their research activity. The projects that SIP students take on provide students a sense of ownership of their work. Besides daily interactions with others at the lab or project site, most teams have a more formal meeting once or twice a week to discuss research problems, work progress and developments reported in the scientific literature. While the focus of each research site varies, all are composed of highly dedicated mentors who are fully devoted to the professional development, advancement, and success of our SIP scholars.

This summer internship program requires a full-time commitment. It is not permissible to take academic classes or hold other employment during the internship. Students are required to participate for the full period of the program.

The Complete Application

There are multiple divisions of SIP, each providing a unique experience. Applying is free, there is no cost to the applicant. To apply to a SIP division, you will need:

• Two letters of recommendation (faculty and/or research mentors preferred)
• Transcripts for each undergraduate institution attended (transcripts can be unofficial)
• Current CV or resume
• Personal Statement*
• ( CSM-SIP applicants only ) Proof of family income

*The personal statement should be no longer than 1.5 pages, single-spaced using at least an 11-point font. There is no particular prompt for personal statements, but we encourage you to tell us more about yourself. For example: why you want or need to do summer research; the career goal(s) you have in mind; why you're motivated or interested in this type of career; what traits make you a good fit for a potential career in research; any past research experience (hypothesis? what you did/did it work? what you learned about this topic or yourself); and what kind of mentoring you would most benefit from during this experience at Johns Hopkins.

The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on  February 1, 2024 . SIP divisions will inform applicants of admissions decisions by March 15th of the year that they are applying, though some divisions release decisions earlier than that date. For more information, contact us at  [email protected] .

webinar Information Session

A Live Webinar event was held Saturday December 9th, 2023 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM EST on information about our Undergraduate STEMM programs at Johns Hopkins, for Summer 2024.

Summer Internship Program Opportunities

There are 15 distinct research opportunities available under the SIP umbrella. Each branch of the Summer Internship Program is administered separately and supports different stipend levels, with some additional tailoring of program content to fit each division’s focus.  You may apply to up to three divisions.

Basic Science Institute (BSI-SIP)

BSIP-SIP  in the Dean-funded “umbrella program” of the Summer Internship Program divisions, incorporating opportunities research in all our basic science departments: Biological Chemistry; Biomedical Engineering; Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry; Chemistry/Biology interface; Cell Biology; Molecular Biology and Genetics; Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology; Neuroscience; Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences; and Physiology. 

Past BSI-SIP Scholars have participated in a broad array of projects from molecular and cellular analysis of the aquaporin water channels, molecular genetic basis of Down syndrome, genomics, neurobiology of disease, applications of polymeric biomaterials to drug delivery, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. 

On top of an experience filled with substantive hands-on research, program activities include one-on-one mentorship from current graduate student mentors, journal club participation, and a range of professional development workshops and seminars on topics that include preparation for graduate studies and navigation of scientific careers. The program concludes with presentations by BSI-SIP scholars at a closing research symposium.

In addition to the opportunities mentioned above, BSI-SIP has affiliated sub-programs focused on neuroscience and/or translational research. Students participating in these programs will be invited to BSI-SIP programming and housed with BSI-SIP students, while also enjoying some additional field-specific programming:

NeuroSIP and KavliSIP

Summer interns in the  NeuroSIP  program are hosted in laboratories of the  primary faculty  of the Department of Neuroscience.  Please see the departmental website  for brief descriptions of the projects of previous NeuroSIP interns.  KavliSIP  summer interns are hosted in the laboratories of the Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute at Johns Hopkins (Kavli NDI). Kavli NDI bridges neuroscience, physics, data science, computational neuroscience and engineering to solve the mysteries of the brain. KavliSIP supports summer internships for undergraduate students considering graduate studies in neuroscience, engineering, data science and related areas. In addition to general SIP programming, KavliSIP and NeuroSIP students enjoy neuroscience-focused programming and other content designed to help them delve deeper into this exciting field of study.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

Summer interns in the SURE program will join labs at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins to perform research in prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and kidney cancer. As basic research labs within a clinical department, students will be involved in research that can directly impact how patients are treated, known as “translational research.” In addition to their research experience and SIP programming, interns will also have the option to interact with clinicians, including opportunities to shadow Urologists in the operating room, Medical Oncologists in clinic, and explore other basic, translational, and clinical research careers and observe how clinical observations can influence research being done at the bench. The SURE program was founded to provide research opportunities to undergraduate researchers in an academic environment that would not typically be available to them with the hope to provide an avenue to achieve their goals or dreams. The program strongly encourages applications from students who are first-generation college students, come from disadvantaged economical statuses, and students from racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in science.

BSI-SIP, SURE, NeuroSIP and KavliSIP eligibility

All  BSI-SIP  applicants must have a demonstrated interest in the pursuit of graduate study toward a PhD or MD-PhD degree. BSI-SIP applicants must have completed at least two years of college by the start of the summer program. BSI-SIP is open to US citizens, permanent residents, and international students currently enrolled in college in the United States.

SURE scholars should have an interest in cancer and/or urology-related research, and have some curiosity about in the intersection of clinical care and benchwork (commonly referred to as translational research). SURE applicants must have completed at least two years of college by the start of the summer program and must be US citizens or permanent residents to apply.

The  NeuroSIP  and KavliSIP  programs prefer candidates on the PhD track, without an interest in pursuing clinical medicine. Students applying to NeuroSIP or KavliSIP must have completed at least one year of college by the start of the program and must be US citizens or permanent residents to apply.

Students interested in being considered for SURE, NeuroSIP or KavliSIP must choose BSI-SIP on their application and then select the SURE, NeuroSIP and/or KavliSIP options when they appear. You will still be considered for the BSI-SIP parent program as well.

Careers in Science and Medicine (CSM-SIP)

The  Careers in Science and Medicine Summer Internship Program  is the undergraduate component of the Johns Hopkins  Initiative for Careers in Science and Medicine . The CSM Initiative seeks to partner with scholars from low-income and educationally under-resourced backgrounds to help them build the accomplishments, skills, network, and support necessary to achieve advanced careers in biomedical research, clinical medicine, public health, nursing, and/or STEM professions. Scholars spend 10 weeks conducting high level research with a faculty mentor, and receiving guidance on financial planning, graduate school applications, and career exploration while enjoying lunches and other events with faculty specializing in a wide variety of science and health related areas of study.

In addition  to the opportunities described above in the parent program, CSM-SIP has an affiliated sub-program that allows students to do research in labs affiliated with the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) department in the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Summer Interns in CSM-SIP-MMI can expect to work on projects ranging from characterizing mechanisms of host-pathogen responses, to examining malarial life-stages for therapeutic development, including analysis of viral evolution leading to epidemics and pandemics, and therapeutic development exploiting antibodies and conjugate vaccines. Centering around immunology, immunological responses to pathogens, and the basic characterization of microbes, research in the MMI department bridges many disciplines and aims to prepare students for futures as physicians, clinical researchers, and other STEM public health and research professions. CSM-SIP-MMI interns work with MMI faculty, post-docs, and graduate students and receive additional mentoring from MMI faculty.

CSM-SIP and CSM-SIP-MMI Eligibility To be considered low-income for our program,  your household or family income must be under 200% of the federal poverty limit ,  which is defined in part by the number of members in the household . We require applicants upload the first 2 pages of their family’s 2021 or 2022 tax return in order to verify you meet income guidelines (feel free to remove social security numbers when you upload) or two consecutive pay stubs. If providing tax returns or pay stubs is prohibitive, please contact us at  [email protected] .

Eligible scholars must also be educationally under-resourced , and can meet this eligibility requirement by fitting any ONE of the following criteria: (a) first-generation college student, or (b) from a single-parent household, or (c) attended (or would have attended, based on where you lived) a high school where the majority of students are from low-income households, or (d) have a diagnosed physical, mental, or learning-related disability. There are additional ways to meet this eligibility; to discuss, please contact the SIP team at  [email protected] . 

Students also must have completed at least one year of college by the start of the summer program and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify.

Students interested in being considered for the CM-SIP-MMI sub-program must choose CSM-SIP on their application and then select the MMI option when it appears. 

Diversity Summer Internship Program at the Bloomberg School of Public Health (DSIP)

This program , through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a leading international authority on public health, is dedicated to protecting health and saving lives. Every day, the School works to keep millions around the world safe from illness and injury by pioneering new research, deploying its knowledge and expertise in the field, and educating tomorrow’s scientists and practitioners in the global defense of human life. At the Bloomberg School of Public Health, you will be mentored by some of the world’s leading authorities on public health issues. Some of our major research initiatives are in these areas: improving the health of women and children; identifying determinants of behavior and developing communication programs to promote healthy lifestyles; protecting our nation from bioterrorism; preventing and controlling AIDS; reducing the incidence and severity of injuries; elucidating the causes and treatment for mental disorders; preventing chronic diseases (heart diseases, stroke, cancer, diabetes); improving the health of adolescents; preventing and treating substance abuse; assessing the effect of environmental toxins on human health; making water safe and available for the world’s population; assessing the health needs of disadvantaged populations (rural, urban, refugees, US ethnic groups); and developing methods to better understand, manage and finance health care. Your research opportunity may take place in a laboratory, health department, clinic, office, or in a community setting.

DSIP Eligibility

Students must have completed two years of college by the start of the summer program and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply. Preference is given to students who have one or two years of undergraduate study remaining and seniors who have applied to a graduate program in the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Generation Tomorrow: Summer Health Disparity Scholars (GT-SIP)

Generation Tomorrow and the Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) are pleased to host  Generation Tomorrow: Summer Health Disparity Scholars . The program is intended for undergraduate students interested in HIV and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) health disparities and their intersection with substance use (addiction and overdose), violence, mental health, and the social determinants of health. The program will offer mentorship and training in HIV/HCV education, testing, and counseling; health disparities, cultural competence, and harm reduction. Through a lecture series, the program will also explore the intersection of HIV and/or HCV health disparities with the areas defined above. This program will have a special focus on undergraduate students interested in nursing, public health, science, and medicine. The program will consist of the following components:

• Intensive HIV and HCV testing and counseling training
• Biweekly lecture series
• Health disparities related research (clinical, health services, biomedical) with a designated faculty mentor
• Community-based outreach

GT-SIP Eligibility

The Generation Tomorrow division has a special focus on undergraduate students interested in nursing, public health, science, and medicine. Students must have completed at least one year of college by the start of the summer program and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply.

Genomics & Society Mentorship Program (GMSP)

Established in 1995, the mission of the Berman Institute of Bioethics is to “identify and address key ethical issues in science, clinical care, and public health, locally and globally.” The Berman Institute trains and mentors future leaders in bioethics through programs such as the undergraduate minor in bioethics, the Master of Bioethics Program, the Ph.D. concentration in bioethics and health policy, and the Johns Hopkins-Fogarty African Bioethics Training Program. The goal of the Genomics and Society Mentorship Program (GSMP) is to broaden the diversity of Ethical, Legal and Social Implication (ELSI) researchers in the interest of equity, ultimately enriching ELSI scholarship by giving trainees opportunities to learn skills, be exposed to the range of possible training and career options in ELSI research, and with the guidance of a faculty mentor, work on issues in genomics and society. Summer trainees will be offered two types of formal, didactic research education opportunities: the first is a workshop/seminar designed specifically for them and their cohort; and the second is the opportunity to take foundational courses in the Berman Institute’s existing Summer Institute. These are in addition to those activities available to all SIP students, such as weekly journal club and the bimonthly seminars and professional development sessions. By the end of summer, students will be expected to be able to identify morally relevant issues in science, medicine, research and public health, and to engage in sound reasoning about those issues. Participants will develop these core skills through exposure to foundational bioethics methodologies, the application of those skills and methodologies to important historical and contemporary cases, and to participants’ own interests. Following the summer internship, the program will continue, remotely, until the following summer, with quarterly cohort meetings and mentorship and career development opportunities.

GSMP Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time college students, who will have completed at least one full year of collegiate study by the start of the program. Recent college graduates are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Institute for Cell Engineering (ICE)- The Foundation for Advanced Research in the Medical Services Internships (FARMS)

Opportunities in the Institute for Cell Engineering (ICE) on one of our four program areas: Vascular Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Immunology or Neuroregeneration. Program participants may participate in a broad array of projects from computational biology, gene regulatory networks, immune system development, lymphoid malignancies, molecular and cellular mechanisms of oxygen regulation, molecular and cellular signals controlling neurodegeneration, neurogenesis, single cell biology, stem cell modeling, gene and stem cell therapies, MRI cell tracking techniques, or stem cell engineering. The rich environment and guidance by our faculty helps prepare students for successful careers as independent research scientists. Interns are expected to participate in all student related activities in ICE, conduct research and write a small progress report at the end of their internship or present their work in a poster session at the end of the program. This is a ten-week program that includes housing and a stipend.

FARMS Eligibility

Students must have completed two years of college by the start of the summer program and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply. The FARMS program is looking for at least a 3.8 GPA and focusing on students that do not have access to in-depth research at their current institution.

Institute for Computational Medicine (ICM)

Founded in 2005, the mission of the Institute for Computational Medicine is to develop mechanistic computational models of disease, personalize these models using data from individual patients, and apply them to improve disease diagnosis and treatment. ICM researchers work in four different application areas. Computational Molecular Medicine seeks to understand the function of highly interconnected molecular networks in health and disease. This knowledge is applied to enhance discovery of molecular disease networks, detection of disease, discrimination among disease subtypes, prediction of clinical outcomes, and characterization of disease progression. Computational Physiological Medicine seeks to develop highly integrative mechanistic models of biological systems in disease, spanning from the levels of cells to tissues and organs. These models are personalized using patient data and apply them to improve disease diagnosis and treatment. Computational Anatomy is an interdisciplinary area of research focused on quantitative analysis of variability in biological shapes in health and disease. It is applied to imaging data to develop anatomic biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Computational Healthcare analyzes large-scale data sets from the electronic health record to discover new ways of improving individualized patient care. 

The twenty ICM core faculty are appointed in departments of the Whiting School of Engineering, School of Medicine, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Our interdisciplinary labs offer students the opportunity to work with faculty in these four different research areas. Opportunities exist to work on computational, as well as combined computational and experimental/clinical studies. At the end of the summer, the student will present their work at a university-wide poster session. This internship provides a unique opportunity to gain research experience in the emerging discipline of computational medicine and would be of great benefit to those interested in pursuing graduate research in this area or in attending medical school.

ICM Eligibility

The Institute for Computational Medicine is dedicated to providing opportunities to students that are underrepresented in STEM. This internship is in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative and will have a special focus on students currently attending an HBCU or MSI. Please  click here  to see the complete list of eligible universities and colleges.

Students must have completed at least one year of college by the start of the summer program and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply. Students majoring in computer science, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology and/or biophysics are eligible. While not required, we seek candidates with some combination of experiences in scientific or academic research (C++/Python/*nix/databases, software engineering, object-oriented programming, and/or collaborative development).

Institute for NanoBioTechnology - Nanotechnology for Biology and Bioengineering Research Experience for Undergraduates (INBT-REU)

The INBT  has a unique model for training researchers at the interface of nanoscience, engineering, biology, and medicine to uncover new knowledge and create innovative technologies. Our laboratories are interdisciplinary and offer students research opportunities in both the physical sciences/engineering and biological sciences/medicine. We recruit students from many undergraduate majors including biology, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biophysics, cell biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, material science and engineering, and physics. Students in the program are co-advised by faculty and senior lab personnel, and work on current graduate level projects in various research areas such as nanotechnology, biomaterials, nanoparticles, microfabrication, tissue engineering, stem cells, drug delivery, particle synthesis, lab-on-chip devices, and cancer research.

During the program, students conduct research, attend educational and professional development seminars, and participate in social activities. At the end of the summer participants create a PowerPoint and poster of their research to present to the INBT community and at a university-wide symposium. The program’s goal is to give undergraduates a true perspective of graduate research with the hope that the experience will inspire pursuits of a PhD. The sponsor, National Science Foundation, provides housing, travel, and a stipend. 

INBT-REU Eligibility

Students must have completed one year of college (i.e., freshman) and be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident to apply.

The Johns Hopkins NeuroHIV Comorbidities Scholars Program (JHNeurophytes)

The  Johns Hopkins NeuroHIV Comorbidities Scholars Program (JHNeurophytes)  aims to recruit and train highly qualified first or second year undergraduate students in STEM degree programs from across the nation with special emphasis on those who reside in regions where the incidence/prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection is high or has newly appeared. 

For 10 weeks during the summer, on a multi-year basis, trainees will have the opportunity at JHU to learn about and/or engage in leading edge hands-on basic, translational, clinical or computational research in a vast array of specialties including: HIV-neuropathogenesis; stress/inflammation and HIV cognition, neuroHIV and CNS reservoir, neuroHIV and drug abuse, neuroHIV and comorbidities of aging, analytical concepts in Big Data, bioinformatics, and computational neuroscience. By program completion, successful undergraduate trainees will have completed several oral podium and poster presentations at scientific conferences on and off of campus, and made contributions toward scientific publications. Combined with a program of professional development and mentorship sessions, our trainees will have gained, developed and strengthened their science: -skills, -identity, and -self-efficacy to succeed in an academic research or clinician-research career pathway. Our long-term goal is to strengthen pathways to the biomedical workforce focused on research and clinical care at the interface of HIV-neurologic dysfunction and associated comorbidities. Additionally, alumni will have developed competencies to address ongoing and emerging threats to human health and well-being.

JHNeurophytes Eligibility: Students eligible for the program must be U.S. citizens or legal residents who will be accepted into or are enrolled in a nationally accredited college or university by the beginning of the program (graduating high school seniors, 1 st or 2 nd year undergraduates). To promote a diverse pool of applicants and selected scholars, we strongly encourage individuals from the following groups to apply: students who are underrepresented in STEM, female students, students who identify as LGBTQ+, first-generation college students, students with a disability, or students from an economically disadvantaged background, as described in  Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity.

Johns Hopkins Neuroscience Scholars Program (JHNSP)

The  Neuroscience Scholars Program  focuses on providing mentorship along with a high quality research experience for undergraduates from underrepresented and/or deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HH) backgrounds that are interested in pursuing research-based PhD or MD/PhD programs in the neurosciences. JHNSP will help students navigate two critical transition periods: from high school to college, and from college to graduate school. Participants also enjoy yearlong contact with our community of mentors and colleagues. 

For 10 weeks during the summer, trainees will have the opportunity at JHU to learn about and/or engage in leading edge hands-on basic, translational, clinical or computational research in a vast array of specialties including: neuropathogenesis of disease; neuroinflammation, neurological basis of mental health, drug abuse and cognitive impairments, CNS biochemistry, analytical concepts in Big Data, bioinformatics, and computational neuroscience, and more. By program completion, successful undergraduate trainees will have completed several oral podium and poster presentations at scientific conferences on and off of campus, and made contributions toward scientific publications. Combined with a program of professional development and mentorship sessions, our trainees will have gained, developed and strengthened their science: -skills, -identity, and -self-efficacy to succeed in an academic research or clinician-research career pathway. Our long-term goal is to strengthen pathways to the biomedical workforce to increase diversity of thought and insight, as well as support our scholars’ long-term engagement in neuroscience research. Additionally, alumni will have developed competencies to address ongoing and emerging threats to human health and well-being.

JHNSP Eligibility: Students eligible for the program must be U.S. citizens or legal residents who will be accepted into or are enrolled in a nationally accredited college or university by the beginning of the program (graduating high school seniors, 1 st or 2 nd year undergraduates). To promote a diverse pool of applicants and selected scholars, we strongly encourage individuals from the following groups to apply: students who are underrepresented in STEM, female students, students who identify as LGBTQ+, first-generation college students, students who are deaf/hard of hearing or with another disability, or students from an economically disadvantaged background, as described in  Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity.

Johns Hopkins Summer Undergraduate Program in Kidney Science (SUPerKS)

Kidney researchers and physicians are critically needed to address the skyrocketing burden of kidney disease, and the racial disparities that are associated with it, with African American persons developing severe forms at rates 3-4 times higher than those in other racial groups. The S ummer U ndergraduate P rogram in K idney S cience (SUPerKS) provides talented students the unique opportunity to explore research and physician-scientist careers in the kidney field with exposure to the practice of medicine. During the summer internship, students will work under the mentorship of esteemed faculty on cutting-edge research projects to unravel how the kidney functions in health and goes awry in kidney disease. Research projects span from the basic science of kidney genes to studying kidney function in genetically engineered mice, or cell models; clinical and epidemiological studies of kidney disease; studying biomarkers in human cohorts; tissue engineering; to developing biosensors or nanotechnologies that specifically interrogate kidney physiology and disease mechanisms. As a key aspect of the program that helps demonstrate translation of the research work, a clinical experience is provided, where students round with kidney doctors (nephrologists), meet patients, and discuss diagnoses and treatment plans. In addition to the research and clinical experiences, students participate in a weekly journal club, presenting research articles to their peers and members of the faculty. Students also attend a seminar series featuring faculty members from Johns Hopkins, providing time to interact with faculty members and hear different perspectives about research, clinical practice, and career development. At the end of the summer, students present their work in a poster session with other kidney programs around the country. We hope that through these activities students will gain first-hand knowledge of research and academic medicine, and ultimately pursue careers in the kidney sciences.

SUPerks Eligibility: 

• At least one year of college
• 1 semester of general chemistry and biology (or AP equivalents) 
• At least 18 years old
• official college transcripts, GPA should be greater than 3.0
• 2 letters of recommendation, 
• a personal statement describing career goals, specific research interests, prior research experiences, and biographical and demographic information.

To apply, please email Paul Welling [email protected] to request an application.

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM)

Students in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) division work on specific research projects under the supervision of an assigned mentor. Projects span a broad range of research, from the basic science of endothelial or epithelial cell biology to asthma epidemiology. In addition to the research experience, students participate in a weekly journal club during which they present primary research articles to their peers and members of the faculty. Students also attend a seminar series featuring faculty members from Johns Hopkins and the NIH. This forum provides students with the opportunity to interact with faculty members and hear different perspectives on issues related to career development. Students interested in clinical medicine are given the opportunity to “round” with the Johns Hopkins Medicine residents, providing a glimpse of life in clinical medicine as a resident at an academic institution. At the end of the summer, students present their work in a poster session. We hope that through these activities students will gain first-hand knowledge of research and academic medicine, and ultimately pursue careers in the biomedical sciences.

PCCM Eligibility

Students must have completed one year of college by the start of the summer program (i.e., freshman) and be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident to apply.

Rosetta Commons Research Experience for Undergraduates (Rosetta REU)

The Rosetta Commons REU program  is a cyberlinked program in computational biomolecular structure and design. The Rosetta Commons software library includes algorithms for computational modeling and analysis of protein structures, which has enabled notable scientific advances in computational biology, including de novo protein design, enzyme design, ligand docking and structure prediction of biological macromolecules and macromolecular complexes. Participants in this program are placed in laboratories around the United States and even abroad. The program begins with students spending one week together at Rosetta Code School where they learn the inner details of the Rosetta code and community coding environment. Students spend the next eight weeks at their host laboratory conducting hands-on research in a molecular modeling and design project, developing new algorithms and discovering new science. In the final week students present their research in a poster and connect with Rosetta developers from around the world at the Rosetta Conference.

The sponsor, National Science Foundation, provides housing, travel, a sustenance allowance, and a stipend. 

Rosetta REU Eligibility

Current sophomores or juniors majoring in computer science, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology and/or biophysics are eligible. While not required, we seek candidates with some combination of experiences in scientific or academic research, C++/Python/*nix/databases, software engineering, object-oriented programming, and/or collaborative development. 

Partner Programs

As summer research programs are increasingly competitive, it is advisable to apply to several summer opportunities. We have partnerships with the following non-JHU summer programs that permit you to do your summer research at Johns Hopkins:

• The Leadership Alliance Leadership Alliance is consortium of 20+ leading research institution around the country. Their Summer Research – Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) is geared towards students who want to pursue PhDs or MD-PhDs.
• EntryPoint! EntryPoint! identifies and recruits students with apparent and non-apparent disabilities studying in science, engineering, mathematics or computer science for outstanding internship and co-op opportunities.
• NIDDK STEP-UP This program funds students for summer research internships at the institution of their choice.
• MCHC/RISE-UP Though not directly under the SIP umbrella, the Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement - Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP) allows students with an interest in public health and to do research at Johns Hopkins through the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) in Gynecology & Obstetrics (GYN/OB) Program (returning in 2025)

The SURF GYN/OB Program at Johns Hopkins offers rising junior and senior undergraduate students from across the country with interest in pursuing a career as a physician-scientist, the opportunity to work closely with faculty and leadership in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. This program is designed for students to gain the valuable, necessary skillsets in preparation for a career as a physician-scientist by: 1) shadowing in the clinic, wards, and operating rooms and 2) conducting research on a project that focuses on a subspeciality of Women’s Health. Additionally, SURF fellows will attend lectures and workshops aimed at enhancing preparedness for medical school.

SURF GYN/OB Eligibility:

Rising juniors and seniors in good academic standing with interest in OBGYN career as a physician-scientist. 

For more information, contact  [email protected]  

Looking for a year-round opportunity for clinical research?

Clinical trials core internship program (oto-ctc ip).

Program Overview:

The Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery: Clinical Trials Core Internship Program (OTO-CTC IP) provides experience in everything related to clinical research/trials including regulatory, data management and patient-facing clinical experience. There are also opportunities for limited work in the lab. This role is available year-round, and flexible to student schedules.

Students in this role will gain experience in clinical trials design and execution from start-up to close out. Under the guidance of faculty and staff, students will be able to take an active role in data input, patient screening, patient observation, reporting outcomes to the IRB and FDA, and basic laboratory responsibilities. In addition, students can meet with the director of the clinical trials core for professional development and/or Pre-med mentoring.

Complete application:

Applying is free, there is no cost to the applicant. To apply, email Internship Program Coordinator Jordan Smith using [email protected] or [email protected] with the following information:

• a CV or resume
• your ideal timeline for the internship
• the school where you are currently enrolled

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Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience

• Past and Current YCCI Interns
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• PhD Training
• Team Science

INFORMATION FOR

• Residents & Fellows
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About YSERE

The Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience (YSERE) is a free 6-week summer program for undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in an accredited degree-granting institution other than Yale and considering a future career in biomedical research. YSERE seeks applicants who are 1) interested in advancing the goals of increasing diversity in biomedical research and 2) committed and determined to work through difficult challenges. Students from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.

The YSERE 2024 program runs from July 8, 2024 – August 16, 2024. Students will participate in an intensive research program designed to expose them to the process of scientific discovery and the path to a PhD or MD/PhD degree. Each student will be matched with a research laboratory at Yale and work on a primary research project within their assigned laboratory for 6 weeks. In addition to conducting a primary research project, students will participate in weekly seminars, career discussions, and related social activities. The program aims to develop students’ skills on critical thinking, analysis of scientific literature, and effective scientific communication.

There is no fee to attend, and each student will receive a stipend. Students are required to make a full-time commitment, Monday-Friday, for the 6-week duration.

The YSERE 2024 is made possible by generous support from Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI), Yale Cooperative Center for Excellence in Hematology (YCCEH) and Yale Department of Genetics. YSERE 2024 is co-organized by YCCI, YCCEH, Yale Department of Genetics and Yale Stem Cell Center.

You will need:

• College transcript
• Resume or curriculum vitae (including extra-curricular activities)
• FAFSA report of Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) - OPTIONAL but inclusion of FAFSA may help determine your eligibility for the program
• Personal statement (2-page max): Please describe how your participation in the program aligns with the program’s goal of advancing diversity in biomedical research. Please describe your future goals and how this program may help you achieve such goals. Please share an example (if any) of a major life obstacle you overcame to pursue your education/training. Please feel free to include additional information that you wish to share with us (e.g. your interest, prior research experience etc.).
• Two letters of recommendation (one from a science faculty member).

Meet Our 2024 YSERE Interns

2024 Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience Intern

Meet Our 2023 YSERE Interns

2023 Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience Intern

Meet Our 2022 Interns

2022 YSERE Intern

Questions about the program or the application process?

• [email protected]

Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience Brochure

Preparing for MIT: Summer programs

We often get asked if there are particular summer programs students should do to prepare for applying to MIT, and our answer is always to spend your summers in the way that best suits your personal needs and goals . Similar to the way we look at a student’s extracurricular activities , there are absolutely no “right” or “wrong” answers.

But, if a STEM-focused summer program is what you’re looking for and you’re not sure where to start, here’s an incomplete list of summer programs that MIT students have found enriching and fun. These are selective summer programs, at MIT and elsewhere, that offer compelling intellectual content and a rigorous educational approach, a great community of like-minded peers, and are either free to attend or ( like MIT ) offer generous need-based financial aid.

MIT summer programs

MIT does not offer open-enrollment summer programs where any high school student can come to campus to take courses and live in the residence halls. However, several partner organizations run small, specialized programs on campus. If studying the human genome, building a robot, or scoping out the stars sound like a fun way to spend your summer, then you might try one of these:

MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)

MITES Summer is an intensive six-week residential academic enrichment program for high school juniors who intend to pursue careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship, especially those from underrepresented or underserved communities. The program is free of charge to participating students, not including transportation.

MITES Semester is a six-month, hybrid learning STEM and college preparation experience for high school juniors that runs June through December. The program is free of charge to participating students and provides engaging, rigorous online courses and weekly virtual webinars, social events, and workshops.

Mathroots (a joint program with MIT Admissions) is a free two-week mathematical talent accelerator residential summer program hosted by MIT PRIMES for nationally selected high-potential high school students from underrepresented backgrounds or underserved communities.

Research Science Institute (RSI)

Research Science Institute (RSI) is a program of the Center for Excellence in Education hosted in partnership with MIT. This rigorous academic program brings together high school students each summer for six stimulating weeks of advanced research and intellectual enrichment, with a focus on mathematics, science, and engineering. Participants attend college-level classes taught by distinguished faculty members and complete hands-on research. Open to high school juniors, the program is free of charge for those selected.

Women’s Technology Program (WTP)

Women’s Technology Program (WTP) is a women-focused program aimed at empowering students from groups that are historically underrepresented in engineering by providing a rigorous four-week summer academic experience that introduces 20 high school students to Mechanical Engineering (ME) through hands-on classes (taught by MIT graduate and undergraduate students), labs, and team-based projects in the summer after 11th grade.

Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)

Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is an intensive four-week program where high school juniors can get a taste of the MIT experience while working on college-level curriculum with other students from around the country. There are a range of courses—from Autonomous Underwater Vehicles to Quantum Software and to Serious Game Design with AI—with concentrations in programming autonomous systems and more! While this program is only open to high school juniors, there are also online programs offered for younger high school students.

Summer Science Program (SSP)

While the Summer Science Program (SSP) is not on campus, MIT co-sponsors this residential program, and many MIT students are among the program’s alumni. The curriculum is organized around a central research project in either Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genomics, or Synthetic Chemistry. The programs are six weeks long and offered at locations in Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Washington D.C.

Other selective summer programs

Most summer programs admit all or most students who can pay the (often high) tuition. However, a number of competitive-admission summer programs select only the best students on the basis of merit and are often free or comparatively affordable. Here are a few of these from other, non-MIT organizations (in alphabetical order):

Science & research summer programs

• BU Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
• Clark Scholar Program
• Garcia Summer Scholars
• High School Honors Science, Math and Engineering Program (HSHSP)
• International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)
• Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP)
• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
• Student Science Training Program (SSTP)
• Summer Program on Applied Rationality and Cognition (SPARC)

Math summer programs

The American Mathematical Society maintains a large list of math summer enrichment programs , as does the the Mathematics Foundation of America’s Summer Mathematics Program Consortium .

In general, some summer math programs that our applicants seem to especially like include:

• AwesomeMath
• Canada/USA Mathcamp
• Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM)
• Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
• Prove It! Math Academy
• The Ross Program
• Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
• Texas State Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC)

Interdisciplinary or broader summer programs

• The nonprofit Davidson Institute maintains extensive lists of both residential and day summer programs across the United States that provide for the intellectual and social enrichment of students.
• The National Conference of Governor’s Schools (NCoGS) supports development and growth of summer residential governor’s school programs across 25 states , dedicated to finding and cultivating students with special academic, creative, artistic, and/or leadership talents.
• The QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program partners with some institutions to send high-achieving, underserved, low-income students to residential and virtual summer programs —with scholarships that cover the full cost of travel, tuition, housing, meals, and supplies.

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Summer Sessions

• U.S. High School Students

Summer Sessions is a great time for anyone thinking of taking a college course to check out the University of Washington — including U.S. high school students. Find out what college classes are really like, earn UW credit and check out our scenic campus by taking a course this summer.

Why UW Summer Sessions?

• The UW Experience.  Attend classes in an engaging atmosphere on a classic university campus.
• College Credit.  Earn college credit and start building your UW transcript.
• Diverse Student Body.  Study alongside current UW students, adults and students from abroad.
• Top Teachers.  Learn from well-respected UW faculty and instructors.

Wide Variety of Courses

With nearly 1,000 courses offered in more than 100 different fields of study at the UW in the summer, there is something that will appeal to any adventurous high school student. To learn more about what’s available during UW Summer Sessions, see the  UW Time Schedule  or  MyPlan .

In most cases, 100-level classes will be the best fit for high school students. In MyPlan, you can search by course level. If you have any questions about what courses to take, we recommend that you check with your high school counselor.

Registration

For information on how to register for Summer Sessions courses, see the page  How to Register — U.S. High School Students .

Eligibility Requirements

U.S. high school students interested in attending the UW during Summer Sessions must have completed eighth grade or its equivalent by June 30 of the upcoming Summer Sessions. If you won’t be 18 years of age on the first day of Summer Sessions (June 17, 2024), you and your parent or guardian must sign an Under 18 Consent Form. We need signed forms from both you and your parent or guardian before we can process your application.

Academic Credit

High school students taking Summer Sessions courses will establish a UW transcript. Grades earned in the summer are included in a student’s GPA if they later enroll at the UW as a matriculated (degree-seeking) student. In most cases, credits earned by high school students in UW Summer Sessions can also be transferred to other colleges and universities.

Note that enrollment in Summer Sessions does not constitute admission to the UW. To apply for admission as a degree-seeking student, visit the  UW Office of Admissions  website.

Summer Foreign Language Offerings

Learn a language this summer and get a head start on college requirements. The UW offers one of the country’s largest  intensive foreign language summer programs. Choose from courses in everything from American Sign Language to Swahili.

In This Section

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• International Students
• Current & Incoming UW Students
• Professionals & Other Learners

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Speaker 1: Finding research opportunities as an undergrad in STEM is extremely stressful. I know because I've been through that. I always knew that I wanted to do a PhD, so getting that research opportunity was extremely important to me. Even for my friends, though, who weren't sure about grad school, it's still a pretty valuable experience, because figuring out what you don't like is just as important as figuring out what you do like. So as someone who's been through all that stress, was successful in landing several research internships in my undergrad, and now, as a PhD student and a TA, I often find myself giving the same advice to several of my students, I figured it would be a useful thing to make this video and explain to you guys how to get research opportunities as an undergrad or even a high school student. So let's throw a timer on the screen and let's see how long this takes us. Research Opportunities Let's start out with how you can land these opportunities. And the first, most obvious, and easiest way is, of course, to know someone. Whether that be a professor in your classes, whether it be through a family connection, a bit of nepotism isn't always bad. But let's say you don't know anyone. The best way to get to know someone is through your classes. You have professors at your university lecturing you that do research. So a great opportunity is to get them to know you. And to do that, just be a good student. Be interested in your class, raise your hand a lot, participate, ask questions, go to their office hours, approach them after your lecture to ask them questions. If you show engagement, a professor will notice. And I had a lot of friends that got their research opportunities through these sort of strategies. If a professor knows you, then when the summer comes around and they're looking for students, and they have a pile of students applying to them that they don't know, and then there's you, who they do know, who is a driven, motivated student, you have much higher chances of getting that position over everyone else. Now there's a big caveat to this, and that is to be a good person. It sounds silly, but we all know that person in our classes that asks questions just to show that they're smart. The person at office hours that just brings everyone down thinks they're the smartest one in the room and doesn't actually genuinely try to learn from the professor. If you're that person, you're definitely not going to get a research opportunity. You have to have the right attitude. And professors will know if you have the right attitude. If you're a good person and you're genuinely interested, the professor will remember you. Now on the other hand, let's say that doesn't work out for you. It's up to you to contact professors on your own to do some research. The best thing you can do here is just go through the directory list of all the professors at your university and see who you might be interested in working with. I'll show you, for example, the University of Toronto Physics Department has the entire list of professors working in their field with short descriptions of what they do and their contact information. Every single department of every single university in the world has a list like this. So I recommend look at some universities in the area near you, get a short list of professors you might be interested in working with and then move on to the next step of how to actually contact them. A couple tips on this before we move on though. First of all, don't limit yourself to any particular field. So for example, let's say that I think I'm interested in astrophysics. That doesn't mean that I'm only having to apply to astrophysics professors. I can look at any professor in the physics department, any professor in the engineering department, even professors in the chemistry department or biology departments are still a great opportunity if it's my first research experience. You might think that if you choose a research experience in black hole physics you're going to learn a lot about black holes, but that's not really true. The biggest takeaways that you get from undergrad research experiences are what research is actually like, not necessarily the hard skills of the actual subject you're working on. That comes more so in grad school. Undergrad research is there more so to complement your undergrad lectures and give you a taste of what it would be like if you do grad school. Have you work on something independently, but it's going to be a project that realistically you should be able to do. So you're not going to be doing any really hard crazy physics or math anyway. It's probably going to be a lot of programming or it's going to be a lot of experimental work in a lab. And no matter what the field is, a lot of the time that actual work is going to be the same. So don't limit yourself to any one particular subfield. Another related tip is to contact more professors than you think you need to. That short list shouldn't really be a short list. It should be a pretty big list. You got to think that as a first year, second year, you're not really that attractive to profs because let's be honest, there's not much that you know how to do. I had a professor in my third year in a condensed matter physics course that joked around with us and said, I don't know why I pay undergrad research students. They should be paying me. Now at the time I thought she was being a bit hyperbolic, but I get where she's coming from. The amount of effort that a professor has to put in to teaching the undergrad and the resulting return that the undergrad will give the professor, they don't usually add up. This is more of an experience for undergrads. So you got to keep that in mind when you're coming in. You can't compare yourself to a PhD student or to a master's student because you just don't have that same level of experience yet and there's nothing wrong with that. That's fine. So when you're applying, be aware of that. You're probably not going to get the first one, two or three that you apply to. Sometimes you might have to apply even in a double digits to get a single answer back from a professor and that's okay. It's expected. As you get older in your third year, fourth year, when you get more experience, you're going to be much more valuable to a prof. So if you're just starting out, if you're in high school, first year, second year, reach out to more people than you think you need to and be prepared for a lot of rejections because it's going to happen. A third tip is again related to the first two. Start small. It doesn't have to be a world-renowned university. It doesn't have to be a super famous prof. Anything is valuable experience when you're first starting out. Anything that you can put on your resume, if you can get a good reference letter, that's huge and that will let you get that dream research position maybe the next year or the year after. Start small and build up to it. Look at your local universities. Do some research outside of your own field. My first research position was in a biology lab because that's what was available to me even though I was interested in physics. But it got me a reference letter that I was then able to leverage for the next year to get a position in physics. And the fourth tip is about the type of lab that I recommend going to. It's often pretty useful to go to experimental labs because experimental labs are often better suited towards first, second years. Like I said before, you just don't have that much experience when you're first starting out. So you can't expect, for example, to join a high-energy theory particle physics group and to do fantastic things. There's just not much you'll be able to do there because there's not much you know how to do there, and that's fine. Whereas an experimental group, there are actual things that you can do. You can be in the lab working with the instruments, calibrating them, setting up some sort of machine if you know how to program, encoding up some experiments, doing some data analysis on some experimental results as well. These sort of projects are much more suited towards an undergrad. When I was in my second year, I worked in an atmospheric physics lab. And I was tasked with working on a machine that tracks the sun so that you can do atmospheric solar measurements. And I had no idea how to program. I was completely useless. So I didn't really accomplish much over that summer, to be honest. But there was a high school student who was working in my lab that same summer. And this high school student didn't have the same physics education that I did. I already had two years of physics undergrad. But this guy was an amazing programmer. And so he was actually much more useful to my professor than I was. So that goes to show you that depending on your skills, there are certain things that you can do. You should be smart about what to look for and be aware of which kind of professors you can apply to that might be more receptive to taking you on as an undergrad. So let's say you have your short list now. You're ready to contact some profs. How do we do this? The best way to do it is through email. You're going to want to keep it short. Introduce yourself. Tell them a little bit about yourself. Tell them why you're interested in working in their lab and why you think their research is cool. And then attach some important information like your resume, your transcript. The more that you can personalize the email to them, the better. Here's an example. Let's say that I was an undergrad and I want to contact my current supervisor to do some research in computational fluid dynamics or computational physics. Dear Professor X, my name is Alex and I'm a second year undergrad student at the University of Toronto looking to do some research in your lab this summer. I'm very interested in computational fluid dynamics because I think it's really interesting how we can write simulations to approximate real world physics. I'm very interested in your research because of the application to aircraft design and I would love to be able to learn more from you and have the opportunity to work in your group. I have taken advanced vector calculus and an introductory fluid mechanics course and I have also been involved in the undergrad physics group where we give lectures to each other talking about physics. This is just an example of the sort of things you can talk about yourself. I wanted to ask if you would be open to taking any students this summer. If you are, I would love to have an opportunity to chat. I have attached my transcript and resume and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Alex Berczyk. You're also going to attach your resume. Try to keep it to one or two pages max. List all the research experience you do, some extracurriculars, awards that you've won and anything really that shows that you're a dedicated student, that you're motivated. If you can, also attach your transcript because the professor, more likely than not, if they're interested, they're going to ask for your transcript anyway so this just saves them some time. The best time to send these emails, if you're looking to start in the summer, for example, is December to January. So you want to start at least five months in advance. That's usually when professors are looking for students and will start interviewing. If you haven't heard back from the professor in a week and a half, feel free to email them back again and just say, Dear Professor X, in case you missed my previous email, I'm an interested student and would greatly appreciate the opportunity. Please let me know if you're willing to take on students. Sincerely, Alex Berczyk. Now, if after that second email, you still don't hear back from them, move on. Professors are very busy people and they don't often get the chance to reply to every email. I've been ghosted many times by professors in my years so it's okay. Expect to be ghosted. Move on. This is also why you should be emailing multiple professors at the same time. Try to email three professors at a time and if you don't hear from any of the three, move on. Sometimes you'll hear back from one that says they're not taking on students. Sometimes you'll hear back from some offering you an interview and then you may or may not get an offer from that. But like I said, keep your options open. Keep the email short because if they get a long email, most of the time they just won't read it at all. And then don't be too attached to any particular professor. So if you don't hear back from them, that's okay. Just move on and try again next year. Now an alternative to all of this is to look for dedicated research competitions. These are designed to specifically select a group of undergrad students and place them directly with a supervisor to work with. That research opportunity that I did in atmospheric physics in my second year was exactly through this. It was the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship offered by the University of Toronto. But there are lots of these and almost every university has them. I also did one in my third year at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics. Although I never ended up accepting it, I was also offered a position by DadRise. This is an amazing program that takes undergrad students from Canada, the US and the UK and I think a couple other countries and will pair them with research groups in Germany and they'll pay you to fly over there and do some research there. There are similar opportunities at Caltech that I know of. I'll try to list a couple of those in the description down below but really this is up to you to try and find these positions. For these, the application process is usually slightly different. You will have to write a cover letter, a one or two page document explaining why you're interested in doing this research opportunity and here you can go into more detail. The detail that you wanted to put in that email that you couldn't, you can put into this document. And each competition has their own separate rules so there isn't too much I can tell you but the biggest piece of advice is that in this cover letter or statement of purpose, you have to show enthusiasm. This has to be the thing that you want to do. The people who are selecting students from this group aren't always necessarily selecting the smartest or the ones with the best courses. They're going to be selecting the students that are the most interested, that have the most enthusiasm because in research, that's the most important thing. It's not how smart you are. It's not how good your grades are. It's how much you're actually going to work. Will you put in the effort whether you're demotivated, if the project's not working, will you be there to put in the hours and to try to do something useful. That's what they're looking for. So if you can transmit that in your statement of purpose, you stand a good chance to get the research opportunity. And the perks of this is that usually it comes with automatic funding so that's a great option to look for. Now to wrap it all up, there are two smaller questions that I get asked a lot. The first one being, do grades matter? And the answer is, kind of, but not as much as you honestly think. Like I explained, the most important thing in research is not how smart you are, but how hard you're going to work, how motivated you are. Grades are usually taken as a cut-off. If they're okay, you're fine. If they're good, you're fine. And then it depends on other factors. Now if your grades are bad, that might be indicative of a problem and that might make the professor hesitant to take you on. But they're really not all that important. As long as you have decent grades, so you're about average at least, then there really makes no difference. If you have bad grades, but you can explain why you have bad grades and show that you're doing your best to improve, that's still really good. Just think that, whether you have a 95 or a 75, that doesn't necessarily translate to how good you're going to be in the lab. The biggest thing is how hard you're going to work and that depends on you. You have to transmit that through your statement of purpose and then you have to put in that good work to get that reference letter for the next opportunity. Because if you have a professor that vouches for you, that said, this guy worked so hard, that's going to help you so much for the next time that you look for a research opportunity. Another question that I often get asked is how realistic is it that I'm going to be paid? And here I have to say, it really depends. If you're applying through one of those competitions that are paid, then it's easy. You're going to be paid because that's the nature of the competition. Sometimes the winner gets $4,000. Sometimes it's $10,000. Sometimes it's somewhere in between or you're getting a stipend. Those are great. If you go the alternative route where you're contacting professors directly, sometimes you might get paid. The professor often has funds for undergrad students where they can give you a small stipend. If a professor has agreed to take you on, there are usually scholarships that you can apply to. For example, here in Canada, you have the National Science and Engineering Research Council, NSERC, and these often fund a lot of undergrad students, although those awards are quite prestigious and quite competitive. But there are lots of other smaller funds that you can often apply to. And if you're someone who's in a financial situation where you do really need the funding, that's tricky. And you should probably search around until you can find a professor that can afford to pay you for the summer. Otherwise, you might have to expect for your first time doing research to not get paid. Remember that this is a fantastic opportunity for you to get that experience and to get that reference. Once you have your first reference and your first experience on paper, it's going to help you so much to get the second or the third. Maybe you'll be offered another position back in the same lab next year with the same prof where they'll pay you. And maybe you don't. But if you don't, you have that experience and you have that reference to get you a better position next year, closer to what you want to do, and hopefully with better funding. So I think that's a wrap. I threw a lot of information at you guys. How did we do on time? Hopefully not too bad. I know it's a stressful time. We've all been through it. But the simple fact that you're watching this video and you're dedicated to finding a research position, that already says a lot. So don't give up if you get rejected the first couple times. As long as you're dedicated, you're going to make it happen. I believe in you. When I was an undergrad, Gunjan from this channel was my TA. And I looked up to him and I was stressing about undergrad research and I wasn't even sure if I was going to get into grad school. And Gunjan just seemed like the smartest, most successful person I knew at the time. Because he was living my dream. He was doing a PhD in physics. But then he told me something that I'll never forget. He said, the only difference between me and you is that I'm older than you and I've had more experiences. If I could do it and my friends could do it, there's no reason why you can't do it. Just put in the effort and you'll be rewarded for it. Good luck guys.

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8 Seattle Summer Programs for High School Students

Seattle offers many opportunities for high school students looking to make the most of their summer. If you’re a high school student interested in doing a summer internship in Seattle, take a look at this list of 8 summer programs, intensives, and pre-college programs. From hands-on internships to creative arts intensives, these summer programs provide a great experience that goes beyond the classroom, helping you build valuable skills, gain real-world experience, and connect with like-minded peers. 

Here’s a list of 8 summer programs in Seattle that can help you build a solid profile while still in high school. 

1. Lumiere Research Program

Cost: Individual Research Program ($2,990), Premium Research & Publication Program ($5,900), the Research Fellowship ($8,900), Professor Premium Publication Program ($8,900). Financial aid is available

Application Deadline: Varies according to the cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter Cohort

Program Dates: Individual Research (12 weeks) | Premium Research (16-20 weeks) | Research Fellowship (6-12 months) | Professor Premium (16-20 weeks)

Eligibility: Open to students anywhere in the world

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. 

The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here .

2. Veritas AI Scholars Program

Cost: AI Scholars - $2,290 (financial aid is available); AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase - $5,400; Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship) - $6,900

Application Deadline: Varies according to the cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort. You can apply   here!

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The Winter cohort starts in December

Eligibility: High school students passionate about AI; Basic understanding of Python or completion of AI scholars is required for the AI Fellowship program

Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students and our programs are geared towards high school students who want to build their foundations in computer science. In the program, students learn various concepts in data science and artificial intelligence like neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, coding using Python, and more. 

Veritas AI offers up to 100% financial aid for the 10-week AI Scholars program . Through the program students build real-world, hands-on projects in groups of 3-5 students to showcase their interests and skills. You can also apply for the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase Program   where you work 1-1 with mentors from top universities to build unique machine learning projects  over a period of 12-15 weeks. These programs are a great option for you if you like engaging in hands-on learning and are a beginner! 

3. Ladder Internship Program

Location:  Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world

Cost : $2,490. Financial aid is available

Application Deadline:   Varies according to the cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort

Internship Dates:   Multiple cohorts throughout the year. December 16, 2024 onwards for the Winter cohort 

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships   is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries from tech/deep tech, AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more.   You can explore all the options here on their application form . 

Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.  Here is the application form . 

Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management and other such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Location : Virtual 

Application Date: Varies according to the cohort. September 25, 2024, for the upcoming Fall cohort 

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.

Fall seminar: October 23, 2024 – February 19, 2025

Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance

Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details can be found here

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! Horizon is one of the very 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 as well as the type of research you wish to carry out, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar from a reputed university 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. 

This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar.  The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply   here !

5. Young Founders Lab 

Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops 

Cost: The total cost to attend the 3-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid. 

Application Deadline: Varies according to the cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort. You can access the application link here !

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025 for the Winter cohort

Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students

The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs.  In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.

Apart from building the start-up, you will also participate in interactive classes  on business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more.

The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program   here .

6. Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Research Training Program for High School Students

Location:  Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA

Cost:  Stipend provided

Application deadline:  March 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Program dates:  July 8 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Eligibility:  10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who have not yet applied to college and live or have housing within a commuting distance of downtown Seattle. Preference will be given to students with no previous research experience

The Research Training Program is a specialized initiative led by PhD-level scientists, designed for high school students eager to deepen their understanding of biomedical research. This program offers an immersive experience in a research laboratory setting, where students can explore a wide range of topics, including biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases.

You will have the chance to attend lectures and engage in hands-on laboratory activities, gaining practical experience in areas such as immunoassays and microscopy. The program also includes workshops focused on college readiness and career development,  providing a well-rounded introduction to the field of biomedical sciences.

Importantly, the Research Training Program is geared towards students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the biomedical and health sciences, offering them a unique opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills in this field.

7. Summer@Cornish

Location: Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, WA

Cost: Range from $730–$3,160 based on course selection. See details here . Financial aid is available

Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open on October 15, 2024. It's recommended to apply early as spots may fill up quickly.

Program Dates: July 7 – August 1, 2025

Eligibility: High school students 

Summer@Cornish is a four-week summer program designed to give high school students a mini-college experience in the arts. Held on the campus of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, this program offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and explore their passions in disciplines such as Music, Film, Theater, Art & Design, and Dance. You can view the entire course catalog here .

You will engage in intensive morning courses focused on skill development and college preparation, followed by afternoon electives for further creative exploration. You can also opt for a residential experience at Cornish Commons, adding an additional layer of community and campus life immersion.

8. Systems Education Experiences and Institute for Systems Biology’s (ISB) 8-Week Summer Internship for Rising Seniors

Location:  ISB labs, Seattle, WA

Cost/stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $5,000

Application deadline:  March 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Program dates:  July 1 – August 23, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Eligibility:  Current 11th grade students

The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) offers an 8-week (~300 hours) paid summer internship for high school students interested in gaining hands-on experience in research labs such as the Baliga Lab or other ISB facilities . During this internship, you’ll engage in projects tied to ongoing ISB initiatives under the guidance of a mentor. The program provides education in systems biology, which you will apply to a specific research project. Additionally, you may develop a range of skills, including scientific, engineering, mathematical, coding, and other professional competencies.

Interns have the chance to interview ISB professionals, gaining insights into various career paths.  You'll also create a website to document your internship journey and, where applicable, contribute to the development of educational curricula. 2024’s projects span diverse topics such as computational biology, microbial interactions, system resilience, microbiome studies, microbial evolution, cancer research, systems medicine, and bioengineering using algae. 6 spots were available in 2024. 

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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