15 Online Medical Programs for High School Students
Online medical programs for high school students offer an accessible way to explore the field without the high cost or logistical challenges of in-person programs. They allow you to build practical skills, gain exposure to medical concepts, and connect with professionals working in healthcare. Programs designed by top universities, research institutions, and medical organizations provide high-quality instruction along with mentorship and collaboration.
Why should I participate in an online medical program?
Online medical programs for high school students provide early exposure to specialized topics like neurobiology and pharmacology that aren't typically covered in standard curricula, allowing you to test various career paths before committing to a college major. Beyond academic knowledge, you’ll build a competitive edge for university applications by earning recognized certificates and developing essential professional skills such as clinical reasoning and time management. The virtual format also fosters global networking, allowing you to connect with Ivy League mentors and peers from around the world.
We have narrowed our list to the top 15 online medical programs for high school students that provide meaningful learning experiences and professional insight.
1. SHE in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $500 taxable stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 20 students/site
Dates: July 13 – 25 (Based on previous dates)
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who reside in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties (IL) or Lake County (IN)
In this two-week fully virtual program, you’ll explore the world of cancer research and patient care through hands-on projects and daily learning sessions. You’ll work with peers from multiple universities on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study, gaining a deeper understanding of how cancer develops and how clinicians care for patients. Each day includes faculty lectures, panel discussions, and workshops designed to help you build skills and connections for future biomedical pathways. You’ll also receive a home laboratory kit that lets you carry out cancer-related experiments from home, something few online medical programs for high school students offer.
2. Ladder Internships – Healthcare Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10-25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (spring, summer, fall, and winter)
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Through Ladder Internships’ fully virtual healthcare track, you’ll work directly with a high-growth health tech or biotechnology start-up and contribute to real projects that support innovation in the medical field. Throughout the internship, you’ll collaborate closely with your manager, gain hands-on experience with problem-solving in healthcare, and learn how modern start-ups use technology to improve patient outcomes, efficiency, and accessibility. You’ll take part in mentorship sessions, skill-building workshops, and weekly check-ins designed to help you grow professionally. By the end of the program, you present your work to the company, giving you the chance to demonstrate what you’ve built and strengthen your portfolio. You will also be guided and mentored by a Ladder Coach to ensure you receive the required support and assistance to complete your objectives.
3. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 40 – 50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
UCLA’s virtual Neuroscience High School Scholars Program introduces you to foundational topics in brain science, with an emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Over six weeks, you’ll attend seminars, hear from guest speakers, observe neurology grand rounds, and participate in journal clubs that help you practice analyzing scientific literature. The program also includes virtual lab activities that familiarize you with research tools and methods used in neuroscience. With guidance from mentors and faculty, you’ll complete a final research project on a topic that interests you and present your findings at the end of the session.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 1:1 student-mentor ratio
Dates: Varies by cohort: fall, spring, summer, winter; options range from 12 weeks to 12 months
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to dive deeply into an independent research project by working 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor. If you’re interested in medicine, public health, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or related fields, you can design a project that aligns with your specific medical interests. You’ll meet regularly with your mentor to build research skills, learn academic writing techniques, and explore advanced concepts that go far beyond the typical high school curriculum. By the end of the program, you’ll produce a full-length research paper that may be at the level of college publications and even be eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit.
5. Los Angeles Pediatric Society – Eve and Gene Black Virtual Medical Career Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost / One $500 scholarship available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 2-week virtual sessions from June to August
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who reside in Los Angeles County or its adjacent counties
The Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program introduces you to a wide range of pediatric and medical careers through daily virtual sessions led by healthcare professionals. Over two weeks, you will attend presentations and discussions with general pediatricians, specialists, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, radiologists, infectious disease experts, and various therapists. The program is structured as a medical mentorship experience, giving you a broad view of the roles involved in child and adolescent healthcare. You’ll also contribute to group discussions and complete a final presentation before receiving a certificate of completion.
6. Medicine Encompassed (ME) Student Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size details not publicly disclosed
Dates: Year–round, flexible weekly schedule
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: All high school students
Medicine Encompassed offers a flexible, fully virtual internship where you can contribute to a student-led nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to medical education. You can choose from roles such as writer, editor, or resource creator, each allowing you to produce meaningful educational content for peers around the world. Depending on your position, you might write articles on specialized medical topics, edit scientific resources for accuracy, or design study tools and curriculum materials for their outreach initiatives. You'll work asynchronously with a global team of high school students across 18 medical committees, all contributing to projects like Project Cultivation, which promotes accessible medical learning.
7. Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 – $2,195; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; no fixed cohort sizes
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13+
Through Harvard Medical School’s fully online pre-college courses, you can explore a wide range of medical science topics at your own pace while learning directly from faculty and experts. Whether you’re interested in genetics, immunology, physiology, or what it takes to become a doctor, each course uses case studies, interactive tools, and multimedia simulations to help you understand complex medical concepts. You’ll work with an assigned mentor who guides you through the material, answers questions, and helps deepen your understanding. The program also offers capstone-style courses where you apply your knowledge to real medical challenges through project-based learning. At the end, you earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School.
8. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee + $850 participation fee if accepted; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27 (Based on previous dates)
Application Deadline: February 28 (Based on previous deadlines)
Eligibility: Must be a high school student entering grades 9–12, over age 14, and a U.S. citizen/permanent resident or able to provide valid visa documentation
This fully virtual two-week internship introduces students to the technical and clinical foundations of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will attend expert-led lectures, engage in group research sessions, and receive mentorship from Stanford student leaders and researchers. The program also features collaborative activities, social sessions, and Virtual Career Lunch and Learns with professionals across academia, industry, government, and non-profits. Beyond this, you will work on real-world research programs, and may have the chance to pursue an extended independent internship after the program. Those who complete all sessions earn a Certificate of Completion, making this a strong online medical program for high school students.
9. Stanford University – Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNV-X)
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $1,725; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 12%; 100–120 students per session
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 19; Session 2: June 22 – July 3
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students after their sophomore, junior, or senior year
CNI-X is a fast-paced program where you’ll spend two weeks exploring neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through seminars led by Stanford faculty and researchers. You’ll learn foundational concepts in brain science, clinical neuropsychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, and behavioral sciences while also gaining insight into medical and scientific career paths. Throughout the program, you’ll work in a small team to develop an innovative solution to a real social issue related to mental health or neuroscience. Your group presents this capstone project to an audience of peers, families, and program faculty at the end of the session.
10. Wake Forest University Pre-College Program – Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; no fixed cohorts
Dates: Year-round; options include 1-week, 2-week, or 4-week sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: All students aged 13+
This program offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the life-saving world of cardiology and emergency care. You will follow a heart attack patient’s narrative from the initial 911 call to the ER and eventual recovery, covering topics like cardiac anatomy, social determinants of health, and the mechanics of surgery. Throughout the course, you will engage in immersive simulations, analyze diagnostic testing data, and complete a personalized capstone project using your choice of media. You receive 1-on-1 mentorship from medical professionals, which helps bridge the gap between textbook theory and clinical reality. By the end, you develop a deep understanding of the diverse educational paths required to become a physician.
11. Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program – Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; no fixed cohort size
Dates: Multiple options: 1-week intensives, 2-week, and 4-week sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13+
Georgetown University offers an online pre-college course that introduces you to the structure of healthcare teams and the decision-making involved in patient care. Throughout the course, you examine medical case studies to understand how different specialists contribute to diagnosis and treatment. You will also explore topics such as complementary and integrative medicine, radiation therapy, and emerging tools like genetic testing. Coursework includes video lectures, guided assignments, and a final capstone project in which you design a care team for a specific patient scenario. Upon completing the course, you receive a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.
12. Dartmouth Precollege Online – Regenerative Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; no fixed cohort size
Dates: Year–round multilength sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All students aged 13+
The Dartmouth Precollege Online – Regenerative Medicine program, titled "Healing with Science," explores how biology and engineering converge to repair the human body. The curriculum dives deep into stem cell technology, tissue engineering, and organ regeneration, while also exploring cutting-edge tools like 3D bioprinting and biomaterials. As you progress, you will analyze clinical case studies, participate in lab simulations, and collaborate with Ivy League mentors to design a comprehensive final capstone project. The program focuses on "expanding frontiers," which connects regenerative science to futuristic applications like space medicine and anti-aging research. You will sharpen your critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills.
13. Summer@Brown Online – Biomedical Engineering: The Smart Design of Medical Implants and Devices
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,656 for three weeks; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; approximately 25 students per section
Dates: June 22 – July 10; July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students who have completed Algebra 1 and Trigonometry are preferred
This fully online course introduces you to the foundations of biomedical engineering by exploring how engineers design materials that interact safely and effectively with the human body. You’ll learn about natural and synthetic tissue replacement materials, cell-material interactions, and the mechanical properties that influence how biomedical devices perform. Through guided discussions, you will also examine the ethical considerations that shape decisions in medical design. Over the course, you will complete a hands-on design challenge focused on creating a prototype for a novel coronary artery bypass material, applying biology, physiology, and math concepts to your work.
14. Stanford Medicine - Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Summer: $4,580 + $95 application fee | Fall: $2,480 + $75 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 24 students
Dates: Summer: July 27 – August 7 | Fall: Typically, 10 weeks between Mid-September and Mid-November
Application Deadline: Summer: February 2 | Fall: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI) virtual program offers a live immersion into the medical world, bringing clinical training directly to students via Zoom. You dive into specialized topics like cardiology, neurology, and emergency medicine while virtually dissecting organs such as the heart and brain using provided supply kits. You will practice essential clinical skills, including suturing lacerations, administering injections, and mastering patient history-taking through interactive role-playing. The program features the "Day in the Life" series, where Stanford physicians share personal insights into their medical journeys and daily challenges. By working through complex patient cases in small groups, you develop sharp diagnostic reasoning, professional communication, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
15. UCI School of Medicine – Pre-Med Pathway Programs: Summer Online Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,350; a $50 discount is available for those who get registered before February 14; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, small groups
Dates: Session One: June 22 – July 10; Session Two: July 13 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3
The UCI School of Medicine’s Summer Online Research Program offers a three-week virtual intensive for high schoolers eager to study biomedical inquiry. By collaborating with university mentors, you will learn about evidence-based medicine and the ethical standards required for human subject research. The curriculum emphasizes the critical analysis of clinical literature and the technical precision of structured report writing. Beyond academic training, the program creates unique opportunities for ambitious participants to pursue co-authorship on scholarly papers or present original abstracts at national medical conferences, significantly elevating their pre-professional profiles.
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