14 Hospital Internships for High School Students in Boston
Are you a high school student in Boston and thinking about a future in healthcare? Hospital internships, particularly those hosted in the city, are a great way to gain practical exposure, build professional skills, and strengthen college applications. Plus, their local nature makes for an accessible (and affordable) experience.
Boston houses several top local hospitals and medical institutions, such as Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which can help reduce travel and housing costs if you’re based in Boston. Hospital internships also allow students to step into practical settings, understand how healthcare teams operate, and explore potential career paths early.
For those specifically interested in medicine, research, or clinical care, hospital internships for high school students provide a direct window into the healthcare system. We've curated a list of 15 hospital internships for high school students in Boston, each hosted by a hospital and designed to offer meaningful exposure to the medical field. They also include a few virtual hospital internships that allow students in Boston to apply.
15 Hospital Internships for High School Students in Boston
1. Brigham and Women's Hospital – Youth Summer Program
Location: BWH campus
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer (June – August)
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: Boston residents enrolled in high school who at least 16 years old by June 1
If you want to gain firsthand experience working in a hospital setting, Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Youth Summer Program offers a unique opportunity to see how a large healthcare system operates up close. This paid, six-week hospital internship places high school students on the hospital campus for about 30 hours each week. During the program, you may be assigned to departments like radiology, materials management, transport, or research labs. The program’s goal is to help you explore various healthcare careers while building practical work habits and professional skills. Additionally, you'll attend career development sessions that promote self-awareness, encourage community health understanding, and support your classroom learning.
2. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified / Approximately 16 students per year
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are residents of Massachusetts and attend a high school in the state
This four-week, fully-funded residential program at UMass Chan Medical School introduces you to the fields of biomedical research, biotechnology, and health professions. As a participant, you’ll attend enrichment classes in biology, math, IT, and communication skills, alongside seminars addressing public health issues and health disparities. The program includes mentored internships with healthcare professionals and asks you to complete a research project focused on a cultural health issue in Massachusetts. You’ll also be evaluated using standardized tests and instructor feedback to track your academic and skill development throughout the program. A certificate of achievement is provided upon completion of this internship.
3. MGB Youth Program
Location: MGB affiliated hospitals across Boston
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / Over 1,000 youths annually across multiple youth programs
Dates: Four years with summer internships and seminars
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 based in Boston, Chelsea, and Revere
The MGB Youth Program is a four-year initiative that connects you with academic support, mentorship, and hands-on exposure to science and healthcare fields. If you're interested in preparing for a future in medicine, public health, or biomedical research, this program helps build both your college readiness and professional skills. During the summer, you may be placed in a hospital department or research lab for direct learning experiences. Throughout the year, you’ll also receive tutoring, attend SAT prep sessions, and join workshops on health equity and public health topics. MGB’s partnerships with local schools and hospitals make this a sustained and meaningful opportunity.
4. Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Center – YES for CURE
Location: Dana‑Farber and Harvard Cancer Center labs in Boston
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 40 students
Dates: 2.5-year training and summer research experience
Application Deadline: November 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who reside and attend school in Massachusetts | U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents | At least 16 years old by program start
The YES for CURE program offers a long-term opportunity to build your skills over 2.5 years. The program begins with weekend and evening training sessions during the school year to introduce core concepts in cancer biology, molecular techniques, public health, and bioinformatics. These sessions help prepare you for mentored summer research placements in labs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and partner institutions. You’ll also participate in journal clubs, professional development workshops, and seminars led by scientists and clinicians. In later years, you’ll help design and teach a science curriculum to middle school students. The program also includes summer stipends and offers academic-year meetings twice a month.
5. Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Center – CURE Summer Only
Location: Dana‑Farber and Harvard Cancer Center labs in Boston
Cost/Stipend: None / Weekly stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / Around 34 interns
Dates: 7–11 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically around early February
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who reside and attend school in Massachusetts | U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents | At least 16 years old by program start
In this program, you’ll be paired with a research mentor in a cancer-focused lab where you'll contribute to ongoing scientific work and gain hands-on lab experience. Besides daily lab work, you’ll also engage in seminars, professional development workshops, and networking events designed to broaden your understanding of scientific careers. At the end of the summer, you’ll write and present an abstract detailing your research, sharing your findings with peers, mentors, and faculty. The program also hosts team-building activities and connects you with a wider network of students and professionals across the Harvard-affiliated research institutions.
6. Massachusetts General Hospital – Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 8 (Typically late June-early July to mid-August)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts during the program | Work authorization in the U.S.
In this program, you’ll start with a “bootcamp” that covers lab protocols, workplace expectations, and essential research skills before being matched with a neurology research lab and faculty mentor. You’ll be engaged in real scientific projects, working in labs located across Boston and Cambridge. Weekly seminars introduce you to a range of topics in neurology and neuroscience, and occasional events such as field trips and social lunches offer chances to network. At the end, you’ll present your research findings to peers, mentors, and members of the neurology department. The program also offers continued support after it ends, with advising and guidance for college applications, internships, and research opportunities.
7. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School
Cost/Stipend: None / Varies by placement, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / 13 students
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors | Over 16 years of age by June 30 | From underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds | GPA of 2.7+ | Completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
At Harvard Medical School’s Project Success, you will be placed in a real biomedical lab for seven weeks. This paid internship connects you with mentors in Harvard-affiliated hospitals or research centers where you’ll contribute to active research projects. Alongside your lab work, you’ll take part in structured seminars on topics like public health, career development, and communication skills. Site visits to biotech companies and hospitals are also built into the program, giving you a broad view of how science and medicine intersect in the real world. The program also includes guidance on college preparation and career planning, making it both an academic and professional stepping stone.
8. Brigham and Women's Hospital – Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP)
Location: BWH campus
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / 100 students
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Likely spring
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from partner Boston public high schools; list here
This year-round hospital internship is designed specifically for those who want to explore careers in healthcare, science, and public health. If you’re selected, you’ll work with a mentor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for 7 – 10 hours per week during the school year in a hospital department. Along with your part-time work, you’ll take part in seminars on public health, health equity, leadership, and workforce development. You’ll also have access to tutoring, SAT prep, and college counseling throughout high school, and may qualify for scholarships. The program’s structure supports long-term engagement, and alumni may return for summer internships that align with their college majors.
9. Boston Children's Hospital – SCOOP (Student Career Opportunity Outreach Program)
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 10 positions
Dates: 6 weeks between July–August
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
SCOOP is a six-week summer internship that lets you see what it's like to work in a pediatric hospital setting, especially if you’re curious about nursing or other health professions. You’ll spend 24 hours each week at Boston Children’s Hospital, with the majority of your time working alongside a mentor in a patient services area. The program includes shadowing in different hospital units or supporting day-to-day care tasks. One day each week, you’ll join group sessions with other interns to share experiences and reflect on what you've learned. Throughout the internship, you’ll also work on a small project that you’ll present at the end of the program.
10. Boston Medical Center – Junior Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Boston Medical Center
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / 70 students
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are able to volunteer weekly
This eight-week volunteer program at Boston Medical Center is open to those who are committed to learning about patient care while working in a hospital. You’ll begin with a volunteer orientation and then take on a recurring three-hour weekly shift in departments like pediatrics, food services, or patient ambassador roles–placements are based on your interests and the hospital’s needs. In addition to volunteering, you’ll attend a one-hour weekly lecture where professionals such as surgeons, nurses, and administrators talk about their work and the hospital’s broader operations. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a certificate and documentation of your hours.
11. Massachusetts Life Science Center – High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various life‑science workplaces across MA
Cost/Stipend: None / $17 per hour, up to $4,080 per intern
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Approximately 150 placements each year
Dates: Internships must occur between May 1 – April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students who are at least 16 years old by internship start date | Enrolled in a school which meets one of these requirements
Through the High School Apprenticeship Challenge, you can apply for a paid internship in a life sciences company or academic lab anywhere across Massachusetts. The program focuses on increasing access to biotech and biomedical experiences for underrepresented and low-income students by subsidizing wages for participating host organizations. Before beginning the internship, you may also be eligible to join a pre-internship training program that builds lab skills and workplace readiness. Once you submit your resume and cover letter through their online platform, companies and research institutions can reach out directly to offer placements that typically take place during the summer. Most interns work in small biotech firms or with researchers engaged in real-time scientific projects.
12. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 5-6 students
Dates: 5 weeks (June – August)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
JHIBS is a virtual, five-week summer research experience hosted by the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, open to high school juniors and seniors across the U.S. If you’re interested in neuroscience, this program gives you exposure to topics like brain development, diseases of the nervous system, and clinical research techniques, all from home. Through online sessions, you’ll attend lectures, learn laboratory basics, and participate in professional development workshops. The program also pairs you with mentors for guidance and provides interactive opportunities to build research-related skills. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate and have a clearer understanding of how brain science connects to medical careers.
13. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote or Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid based on the opportunity
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Not specified
Dates: Offered year-round; winter internships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Eligible to work in the U.S. and reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer | Enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution | Students under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit with their application
This internship examines how psychology applies to real-world issues. You will work within different departments like research, public policy, education, and communications on projects that align with your interests while learning how psychological science influences decision-making processes. Depending on the placement during the winter session, you might assist with literature reviews, support outreach activities, manage administrative duties, or contribute to web-based tasks. The program also includes interactive workshops, group discussions, and collaborative assignments designed to enhance skills in communication, research analysis, and organizational behavior. Throughout the internship, you will gain practical insights and professional guidance from experienced mentors.
14. Medicine Encompassed Student Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment / Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
The Medicine Encompassed Student Internship for high school students, including those based in Boston, is a virtual program that aims to deepen their understanding of medical science and healthcare through hands-on and team-based projects. It covers topics such as biology, anatomy, public health, and medical research, allowing you to explore various fields within medicine. You will engage in activities like writing educational articles, creating medical resources, conducting research summaries, and collaborating on healthcare outreach projects. You will develop critical thinking, scientific writing, communication, and project management skills. Completing this internship enhances college applications by showing a genuine commitment to medicine, initiative in learning, and teamwork in a real-world context.
Bonus – Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available / None
Dates: Programs run for 8 to 16 weeks, with multiple cohorts offered year-round in the spring, summer, fall, and winter; Winter cohort: December 8
Application Deadline: Vary by cohort; Winter cohort: November 16
Eligibility: High school students, undergrads, or gap year students who can work 10–20 hours a week for 8–16 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective online program that connects high school students with startups and nonprofits across various industries, including healthcare and medical technology. Over several weeks, you’ll work remotely on a project that’s meaningful to the organization, while receiving ongoing mentorship from both a startup supervisor and a Ladder-assigned coach. Each internship ends with a formal presentation of your work, allowing you to demonstrate your contributions and gain feedback. Because placements are international, this program provides cross-cultural exposure and project-based learning in a flexible online format. Ladder Internships accepts applications on a rolling basis and includes a screening process to match you with the right project. Apply here.
Image Source - UMass Chan Medical School Logo