11 Fall Medical Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student considering pursuing medicine, a fall internship is a great way to explore the field in a short, structured manner. Fall internships typically allow you to shadow doctors, participate in medical simulations, and even conduct research, giving you hands-on experiences in healthcare, biomedicine, nursing, and other related fields during the school year, right before the summer.
As fall internships are shorter and have smaller cohorts than summer programs, you will get more one-on-one time with mentors, flexibility, and projects that align with your schedule. The programs usually run for a few weeks or on weekends, making them brief and accessible ways to explore whether a career in medicine is something you want to pursue in the future.
Many universities, hospitals, and healthcare centers offer medical internships designed for high school students, offering opportunities to learn lab skills, work with professionals, explore clinical practices and tools, and apply science in real-world settings. Most programs are free, and some even offer stipends. These programs can also help you build skills like communication and problem-solving, while providing you with valuable experience that stands out on college applications.
Whether you want to learn about healthcare, medical research, and careers in such fields, or just want to explore your options before choosing a major, you can find a fall internship that aligns with your interests.
To help you get started, here are 10 fall medical internships for high school students!
1. Parkview Health High School Student Internships
Location: Remote, hybrid, or in person at Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: March 1
Dates: The internship lasts one semester and is offered year-round; exact dates not specified
Eligibility: High school students can apply, check the full list of eligibility requirements here.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Parkview Health offers year-round internships to high school students interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Here, you will get hands-on experience in clinical and non-clinical roles to help you explore career options before college. You’ll be assigned to a specific department or role based on your interests. The internships usually last one semester and are unpaid. The experience can offer insights into the inner workings of a healthcare facility and opportunities to explore various roles in medicine. To apply, you or your school can request a placement, which will be reviewed and assigned based on a set timeline. If interested, you can speak with your school’s Guidance Counselor, Internship Coordinator, or CTE Instructor.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,490; financial aid is available
Application deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Dates: Sessions last 8 to 16 weeks, with several cohorts available throughout the year, including fall sessions
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 5–15 hours a week for 8–16 weeks
Acceptance Rate: 10%–19%, but can vary by internship opportunity and cohort
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, connects high school students with remote internships at startups and nonprofits worldwide. Many startup founders are backed by Y Combinator and have experience at companies such as McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. Internships are available in a variety of fields, including health technology, mental health, environmental science, nonprofits, finance, artificial intelligence, consulting, software engineering, media, and journalism. As an intern, you will work on real projects for your organization and present your work at the end. Throughout the program, you will get opportunities to sharpen skills like communication and time management, attend group sessions with other interns, and receive support from a startup manager and a Ladder coach. You can check the application form to explore internship formats and areas that are currently available.
3. Internships at the American Psychological Association
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: No cost; internships may be paid or offer academic credit (unpaid) + a free 1-year APA student membership (with graduate student membership if eligible) and access to APA resources like PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES during the internship
Application deadline: Varies based on the opportunity.
Dates: APA offers internships year-round, including in fall; exact dates vary depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in school at least part-time, living in a state where APA is registered as an employer, and authorized to work in the U.S. through E-Verify; students under 18 need to submit a D.C. Work Permit while applying
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers remote year-round internships for students interested in pursuing a career in psychology. As an intern, you will work in areas like research, publishing, communications, policy, education, and operations, applying classroom knowledge to real-world projects. Your tasks will vary based on your department, skills, and interests. You may get to assist with research, writing, administrative tasks, or web content development. You will work under the guidance of a supervisor, gain hands-on experience, explore career options in psychology, connect with senior psychologists, and grow your network. You will have access to optional workshops and group sessions focused on early career development as well as presentations by APA staff covering the organization’s work, current trends, and non-traditional psychology careers.
4. Stanford’s Harris Neuroscience Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: April 4
Dates: Starts in the fall and runs from September through May
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
Cohort size: ~12 students
Stanford Medicine’s Harris Neuroscience Internship is a year‑long virtual program for high school students. You will be matched with Stanford neuroscience faculty and trainees and get to attend weekly Neurology Grand Rounds during the program. You will also join a monthly Neuroscience Journal Club to read and discuss current papers with Stanford experts in an informal setting. Your primary task will involve working on a research project aligned with your interests, allowing you to explore neuroscience and develop research, data analysis, and academic writing skills. You will also work on a community‑based project to gain experience in outreach and engagement within the neuroscience field.
5. Internships at Dolphin Research Center
Location: Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL; non-residential program
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: June 1 for the Fall Term
Dates: September – December
Eligibility: High school students who are comfortable with English, physically fit, and are able to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited positions are available; the exact number is not specified
The Dolphin Research Center’s Volunteer Resources Department runs an Internship Program for high school students interested in exploring how a marine mammal facility works. These internships usually last 16 to 18 weeks and are available in different areas like research, animal care and training, education, IT, visual communications, and medical departments. The medical department internship allows you to assist with treatments, monitor animal health, process samples, prepare medications and supplements, support dietary plans, and clean and transport medical equipment. As an intern, you’ll commit to working 40 hours a week, spending four days in your assigned department and one day helping out with daily tasks in the Volunteer Resources Pool. You might also take on extra projects based on the center’s needs and your skills. The experience can offer a hands-on exposure to marine science and aquatic animal care.
6. Stanford Clinical Skills Internship: Fall Intensive
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $1,980 program fee + $35 application fee
Application deadline: June 2
Dates: September 11 – November 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and undergraduate pre-med students who are 16 or older and have preferably completed a high school biology course
Cohort size: 24 students per class
The Stanford Clinical Skills Internship is a virtual, live course designed for high school students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Over 10 weeks, you’ll follow a detailed curriculum covering many important medical topics. You’ll learn how to take medical histories, make differential diagnoses, and think critically to diagnose and treat conditions. The program also covers how to take vital signs, present medical cases, learn about organ systems through dissections, and practice basic suturing. Besides individual learning, you will engage in group activities that mimic the teamwork and problem-solving needed in a medical profession. Throughout the program, Stanford School of Medicine faculty will offer mentorship and share their expertise and insights into the medical field.
7. Parkview Health’s FutureREADY Program
Location: Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: March 1
Dates: 15 weeks or one semester
Eligibility: High school students
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Parkview’s FutureREADY program offers high school students the opportunity to explore various healthcare careers through a semester-long internship based at their school. It’s a great fit if you’re interested in health care but aren’t sure yet which direction to take. Once you join the program, you will choose a department you’re curious about from a given list, and the Parkview Education Services team will set you up with six week-long observations in those areas. After trying out all six, you will pick your top choices to focus on for the rest of the semester. This setup offers a diverse range of experiences, helping you discover which career paths might be the best fit for you.
8. Cedars Sinai Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple locations around Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free apart from a $30 fee for a volunteer jacket
Application deadline: August 7; applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
Dates: October 6 – December 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–18 years old with a 3.2 GPA or higher
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cedars-Sinai offers volunteer opportunities for high school students at its hospitals across the greater Los Angeles area. The program is geared toward students interested in healthcare and includes two-hour weekly shifts over 10 weeks during the Fall Session, totaling 20 hours. You can choose between a clinical or clerical track, both of which focus on hands-on tasks and building connections with staff and patients. As a volunteer, you might answer patient phone calls, scan and enter medical data, assist new patients in getting settled, and deliver flowers or amenities. Most roles require work commitments of about four hours a week, but you can take on more work based on your schedule. If you’re also interested in research or continuing work at Cedars-Sinai beyond the volunteer program, you can explore its summer research internship.
9. High School Service Internship Program at St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Location: Available at St. Elizabeth Healthcare centers in Dearborn, Indiana, and Covington, Grant County, Edgewood, Florence, Ft. Thomas, and Dolwick Drive–Corporate Offices in Kentucky
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: The internship runs for the full academic year, September to May, with orientation held from August 4 to August 8.
Eligibility: High school seniors (juniors at the time of application)
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
The High School Service Internship at St. Elizabeth Healthcare lets you gain real-world experience by working at one of its healthcare centers and learning how the industry works. You’ll explore different departments, both clinical and non-clinical, and learn about the work environment through observation and hands-on tasks. This will help you understand the challenges professionals face and what skills you might need for a future career. You’ll need to commit at least 1.5 hours a day or 7.5 hours a week during your senior year.
You can choose from five tracks: Patient Care (rotations in clinical areas), Engineering/Facilities (maintenance work), IT (data and systems projects), Business (offices like HR and Finance), and Culinary (kitchen management and food safety). Throughout the program, you’ll hear from administrators, join simulation labs, and participate in hands-on patient care experiences. You’ll also get to watch a live surgery virtually and interact with the surgical team. Plus, you’ll receive tips on resumes, interviews, and job opportunities at St. Elizabeth. Toward the end, you’ll present your internship experience to peers and supervisors, and you can shadow an allied health or nursing associate for up to 8 hours.
10. Observer Program at Baptist Health
Location: Baptist Health South Florida, Coral Gables, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.
Dates: The program runs year-round, but the exact dates vary depending on the medical professional with whom you’re matched.
Eligibility: Individuals who are at least 16 years old and have secured a sponsor; applicants can look for sponsors on baptisthealth.net
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Baptist Health offers high school students the opportunity to shadow a medical professional and observe daily hospital work. Here, you will have the opportunity to sit in on rounds, observe procedures, and attend lectures and conferences to gain insights into what a career in healthcare is truly like. You will learn from doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff to understand the various roles within the medical field. To apply, you’ll need to find your own sponsor—a Baptist Health professional who will agree to guide you through the program. Your sponsor will determine the duration of your observership (up to four weeks) and the kind of experiences you’ll have. You can shadow physicians, nurses, or other staff depending on your interests and the availability of your sponsor.
Location: Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: April 11
Dates: The internship begins in the fall and runs from September to May during the academic year.
Eligibility: High school students in the Milwaukee area who are in grades 11 and 12, at least 16 years old, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and have completed or are currently taking Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I & II, and two years of English/Composition
Cohort size: 13–15 students
The SUPREMES Program is an academic-year experience that offers hands-on experience in biomedical and clinical research and technology development in labs across the Greater Milwaukee Area. The program is sponsored by Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin's Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering. If selected, you will join a research team, explore science and health topics, and learn about careers in research and healthcare. You will work on a research project, write a manuscript, create a poster, and present your findings at the SUPREMES Symposium. You’ll also start to work more independently and collaborate with science and health professionals to deepen your understanding of important issues in basic science research. If you contribute strong data, you may even be listed as an author on a scientific publication.