14 Free Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student interested in a future in medicine, free summer programs are a smart way to explore healthcare without any financial burden. You’ll gain practical experience in hospitals and labs, which can help you decide if you would like to pursue medicine. You’ll also meet doctors and healthcare professionals who can serve as mentors. Additionally, free programs tend to be selective, making them great additions to your college applications.
California has a number of quality medical research institutes and universities. These institutes conduct research in diverse fields such as cancer, genetics, and stem cells. By participating in a medical summer program here, you’d meet mentors who are at the forefront of their fields. Below, we’ve narrowed down a list of 14 of the best free medical summer programs for high school students in California!
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $500 – $1,500
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school juniors or seniors (16+), U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
In the SIMR program, you’ll work in student teams to design medical solutions using biodesign principles. You’ll attend lectures on bioengineering topics, brainstorm medical challenges, build prototypes, and test ideas using Stanford’s maker spaces and labs. Graduate student mentors will guide you through the design process. The program ends with a poster session where you will present your prototype to faculty and peers. This is a highly competitive summer medical program for high schoolers.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Cost: Varies according to program; Financial aid available
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 and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. UCSF Fresno Summer Biomedical Internship (SBI)
Location: Fresno, California (with field trips to UCSF main campus and local medical facilities)
Cost/Stipend: Free; scholarships may be available to help with transportation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on the number of available faculty mentors (competitive)
Dates: Mid-June – Early August (6–7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified (applications typically reviewed in spring)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will be at least 16 years old by June 1, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and are residents of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, Tulare, or Mariposa counties
This program gives you the chance to work directly with UCSF faculty on real biomedical research projects. For 6–7 weeks, you’ll be paired with a mentor and their team, spending each day conducting hands-on research and learning how science connects to healthcare careers. You’ll also join field trips to hospitals, UCSF’s main campus, and special talks with medical students and residents. Many alumni from the internship have gone on to medical school, PhD programs, or careers in health and biotech. At the end of the summer, you may even get the opportunity to present your project at a professional conference.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Medicine Track
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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.
5. Teen Healthcare Pathways Internship
Location: Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Santa Paula, California
Cost/Stipend: Free (educational internship, no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (limited spots each year)
Dates: Ongoing during the school year (weekly evening shifts)
Application Deadline: Rolling (varies by site)
Eligibility: Students who have at least 2 years of high school remaining and proof of a negative TB test (or waiver)
This program is designed for students who want to explore healthcare careers while serving their community. You’ll be directly involved in patient care—taking vitals, documenting patient histories, and presenting findings to nurses and volunteer doctors. Alongside clinical skills, you’ll develop leadership, advocacy, and communication abilities through mentorship, workshops, and healthcare field trips. You’ll also train in CPR/First Aid, HIPAA, and medical assistant skills while attending college and career prep sessions, including SAT/ACT support. Many students also participate in outreach events, offering health screenings and education to local communities.
6. Project Pull Internship
Location: San Francisco, California
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($19.25 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (competitive application process)
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 17 (by 11:59 PM PST)
Eligibility: Students entering junior year, senior year, or college-bound freshman in the fall who live in or attend high school in San Francisco and have a GPA of at least 2.75
Project Pull is a paid summer internship that gives you the chance to explore career opportunities while developing professional skills in a real workplace. Over the course of 8 weeks, you’ll work 20 hours per week alongside mentors and city professionals on meaningful projects. You’ll be introduced to public service, leadership, and professional development in a structured and supportive environment. You’ll also build connections with peers across San Francisco and receive guidance on your academic and career goals.
7. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Northern California
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-free (supported by donations)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, ~24 students
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who live in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week, fully immersive summer experience designed for high school students passionate about science, medicine, and healthcare. As a participant, you’ll live and learn on Stanford’s campus while being mentored by faculty, medical professionals, and college students who guide you through hands-on projects and academic enrichment. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore health science, attend lectures, participate in workshops, and develop your leadership potential. By the end, you’ll leave with new skills, lifelong connections, and the confidence to pursue a future in the medical field.
8. Volunteer Opportunities for High School and College Students (St. John’s Hospital Camarillo)
Location: St. John’s Hospital, Camarillo, California
Cost/Stipend: $15 student dues (covers t-shirt and lanyard); unpaid volunteer role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Ongoing, year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling (apply by scheduling an interview)
Eligibility: High school and college students
As a student volunteer at St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, you’ll have the opportunity to support patients, families, and staff across a wide range of hospital departments. You might be placed in patient care areas such as the emergency department, labor and delivery, ICU, or the mother-infant unit, or you could contribute in administrative roles like medical records, admissions, or the information desk. If you’re interested in gaining deeper exposure to healthcare, there is also a Clinical Care Extender Program. To apply, you’ll need to submit an application, a letter of recommendation, and parental consent (if under 18). During your interview, you’ll need to bring immunization records and pay a $15 fee for your uniform.
9. High School Summer Volunteer Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
Location: Los Angeles, California (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid volunteer position
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (application required; limited spaces)
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: Opens February 3 (4:00 p.m. PST) and closes February 10 (4:00 p.m. PST)
Eligibility: Must be 15–17 years old by June 16
This program lets you volunteer at one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals while gaining meaningful experience in patient and family support. As a volunteer, you’ll contribute to the hospital’s mission of creating hope and healthier futures by assisting with tasks such as escorting patients to appointments, greeting families, distributing items to patients, and supporting hospital staff. While the program does not include shadowing or direct clinical internships, it provides valuable exposure to a hospital environment, fosters responsibility, and builds self-confidence.
10. Scripps Health Volunteer Program
Location: Scripps Health hospitals, California
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (volunteer-based)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Ongoing, year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Minimum age 15
Volunteering at Scripps gives you the chance to be part of a hospital community while developing compassion, communication skills, and confidence. As a volunteer, you may welcome guests, comfort patients, create crafts, or even help escort therapy animals. Some students support the gift shop or information desk, while others are placed in nursing units, rehabilitation services, or the emergency department. You’ll receive volunteer training in a supportive environment, helping you grow while contributing meaningfully to the community.
11. UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program
Location: Los Angeles, California (UCLA Health)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid volunteer position
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (limited number of spots each summer)
Dates: Summer (specific session dates provided upon acceptance)
Application Deadline: Typically early spring (check the UCLA Health Volunteer Services site for details)
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old at the time of registration (international students are only accepted if enrolled full-time at UCLA on an F-1 visa)
As a Volunteen, you’ll serve in key hospital support areas, gaining exposure to clinical and patient-centered environments. You may help with Patient Transport, which involves assisting with discharges and transfers. If you’re more service-oriented, you can join the Wayfinding team, which includes greeting patients and families, offering wheelchair support, and guiding visitors. There are also Floater positions, where you help deliver mail and newspapers, with assignments changing based on daily hospital needs. The program is designed to give you a hands-on volunteer experience in a professional healthcare setting while building communication, teamwork, and service skills.
12. Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Southern California and Hawaii (placements at local Kaiser Permanente medical centers)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (part-time employment)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by site; recruitment is coordinated through schools and community partners
Dates: June – August (6–8 weeks, part-time)
Application Deadline: Varies; coordinated through local schools and partners
Eligibility: Must live near the Kaiser Permanente medical center you apply to, 16 years or older (priority to 11th & 12th graders; some sites may accept 10th graders)
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) at Kaiser Permanente is a paid internship designed to introduce high school and college students to careers in healthcare through administrative and clerical support roles. You’ll gain real-world workplace skills while participating in weekly professional development and career readiness sessions. This program helps you build confidence, explore career paths in healthcare, and connect with mentors across different fields. SYEP is a great opportunity if you want to strengthen your resume, grow your professional network, and explore healthcare in a structured and supportive environment.
13. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland – Summer Student Research Program
Location: Oakland, California
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided ($3,000–$4,300, varies by student status and grant funding)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive, small cohort (exact size varies each year)
Dates: 9 weeks, early June to early August (exact dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: Varies each year (check program website for updated deadlines)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with at least one completed year of math and biology, at least 16 years of age by June 1 of the program year, from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences (racial/ethnic groups, first-generation college students, low-income families, students with disabilities)
For over 40 years, this program has given high school and college students the opportunity to step into real research labs and clinics to explore careers in biomedical science. You’ll be paired one-on-one with a mentor who will guide you through a research project, whether in a clinic or a basic science lab. Along the way, you’ll attend weekly seminars with doctors and scientists, join journal clubs to discuss research papers, and take part in fun social activities with your cohort. The summer culminates in a formal Research Symposium, where you’ll present your project to the scientific community.
14. MarinHealth Medical Center – Volunteer Services
Location: Greenbrae, California
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (volunteer service)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by hospital needs; positions are selective and based on application review
Dates: Year-round (weekly recurring shifts, one-year minimum commitment required)
Application Deadline: Rolling, based on availability of positions
Eligibility: Minimum age 16, can commit to at least one year of service with a weekly recurring shift (minimum 100 hours total)
Volunteering at MarinHealth Medical Center is a meaningful way to give back to your community while learning about healthcare. You’ll join a diverse team of volunteers ranging from retirees to working professionals. Depending on your interests, you might interact directly with patients and families or support the hospital staff behind the scenes. All roles contribute to improving patient care and creating a welcoming environment. In return, you’ll gain valuable exposure to the healthcare field, learn teamwork and communication skills, and build long-lasting friendships.
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