14 Medical Internships for High School Seniors
Medical internships give high school seniors early exposure to healthcare and biomedical research in settings that are difficult to access through coursework alone. Depending on the program, you may observe clinical environments, assist with lab work, or support research projects. These experiences help you understand how medicine operates in practice and begin developing skills used in college-level science, such as data analysis, scientific writing, and working within research or clinical teams.
Why should I participate in a medical internship as a high school senior?
Medical internships are often competitive, and getting into one reflects academic readiness and serious interest in healthcare. If you’re accepted into an internship before the fall, you can highlight this achievement in your college applications. These programs help you build practical skills that are useful for pre-med coursework, including reading scientific literature, handling data, understanding research protocols, and collaborating in structured lab or clinical settings. Entering college with this foundation can make demanding introductory science and research-based courses more manageable and help you engage more confidently with pre-med opportunities.
Here are 14 medical internships for high school seniors!
1. University of Colorado School of Medicine – Child Health Research Internship
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
Cost/Stipend: Free | $4,400 stipend provided
Dates: June - August
Deadline: December - February
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living in Colorado
This internship gives students firsthand experience in child health research at one of the country’s top pediatric hospitals. You’ll work alongside faculty and researchers at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus and participate in ongoing clinical studies focused on improving pediatric care. Each intern completes a written and oral summary of their research, gaining experience in both data analysis and scientific communication. The program also emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and real-world research exposure, helping you understand how pediatric research contributes to healthcare and patient outcomes. This is a strong option for seniors passionate about medicine or biomedical sciences and want a meaningful experience before college.
2. Ladder Internships - Healthcare and Medicine Track
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program | Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students
Ladder Internships connect high school students with high-growth startups around the world. You can choose from various industries, including health tech, medical research, and biotechnology, and work on real-world projects guided by a company manager and a Ladder Coach. This program is perfect for students interested in exploring the intersection of medicine, research, and technology while gaining professional experience. The program also includes one-on-one mentoring and group training sessions focused on communication and project management. Since it’s fully virtual, you can participate from anywhere – making it a flexible yet challenging opportunity for aspiring medical professionals. Here is the application form.
3. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience - High School Internship
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $13/hour
Dates: June - July
Deadline: January - March
Eligibility: Juniors or seniors attending high school in Palm Beach or Martin County
The Max Planck Florida Institute internship offers high school students a chance to explore brain science and neuroscience research at a professional level. You can choose from specialized tracks in neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering, depending on your interests. As an intern, you’ll work directly with scientists and researchers, gaining real-world experience with advanced imaging tools and experimental techniques used to study the brain. The program wraps up with a presentation of your research abstract and results, helping you develop academic and communication skills. This is a selective, research-driven internship for students fascinated by neuroscience, medicine, and the study of the human brain.
4. Kaiser Permanente Launch (KP Launch)
Location: Kaiser Permanente offices across Northern California
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $24/hour for healthcare workers
Dates: June 15 - July 31
Deadline: November 17 - January
Eligibility: Students aged 16–19
KP Launch is a seven-week paid summer work experience that gives high school students a look at how hospitals and healthcare systems work. Depending on your assigned facility, you could be placed in departments such as administration, technology, or patient care coordination – each offering a unique view of how different roles contribute to patient outcomes. Alongside practical experience, you’ll receive mentorship from healthcare professionals who can guide your academic and career goals. It’s an ideal opportunity for students interested in exploring both the medical and administrative sides of healthcare, and what a career in this field could look like.
5. The Seacole Scholars Program
Location: Lifespan Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: June - August (7 weeks)
Deadline: January
Eligibility: Students aged 16–19 with a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license
The Seacole Scholars Program provides paid summer internships within Rhode Island’s largest healthcare network. As a Seacole Scholar, you will work in nursing units and participate in weekly career development workshops through Lifespan’s Workforce and Youth Development training program. You’ll gain first-hand experience supporting patients, learning from nurses and other healthcare professionals. The program includes ongoing mentorship and personalized career counseling to help you plan your next steps in healthcare. The best part? The top-performing interns may even be offered employment after the program.
6. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – Summer Program
Location: Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Up to $7,200 stipend
Dates: June 1 - August 7
Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school seniors living in Texas
The MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Summer Program is a 9-10 week internship that introduces high school students to biomedical and cancer research. You’ll work closely with faculty mentors, attend seminars on diverse research topics, and participate in poster and abstract competitions to showcase your work. Interns gain hands-on experience in laboratory research while developing technical and analytical skills used in medical science. The program concludes with formal presentations and a celebratory luncheon, recognizing participants’ achievements.
7. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) – Summer Internship in Biomedical Research
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, and Framingham, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Dates: Sessions from May to June | 6-8 weeks
Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school seniors
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Summer Internship Program provides high school students the opportunity to conduct intramural research at the National Institutes of Health. This 6-8 week internship, based in Bethesda, Maryland, and Framingham, Massachusetts, lets you work in an NHLBI research lab under the guidance of a principal investigator. You’ll gain hands-on experience in basic and clinical research while learning directly from some of the nation’s leading scientists. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars and mentorship sessions focused on scientific careers and professional development.
8. TGen Helios Scholars Program
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid internship
Dates: June 8 - July 31
Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: High school seniors with ties to Arizona schools or universities
Helios Scholars at TGen is a paid, eight-week summer internship program that gives high school students a chance to conduct biomedical research. Open to incoming and continuing undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students, the program lets you work on active research projects focused on diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders. Each intern is mentored by a TGen scientist, who will guide you through your project from start to finish. The experience also includes seminars and skill-building workshops designed to help you understand real-world applications of bioscience. The program concludes with a research symposium, where you’ll present your findings to peers and faculty.
9. Harvard Medical School - Project Success
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Dates: July - August
Deadline: February
Eligibility: Grade 11–12 students residing in Boston or Cambridge | Minimum GPA 2.7 | Must be at least 16 years old
Project Success at Harvard Medical School is a 6-7 week summer program that introduces high school students from underrepresented communities to biomedical research and healthcare careers. You’ll be placed in a Harvard Medical School research lab, where you’ll work alongside faculty and graduate student mentors on real scientific projects. The program combines lab work, seminars, and hospital visits to provide a comprehensive understanding of medicine and research. You’ll also attend sessions on computer literacy, academic readiness, and career development – skills that will serve you well in college and beyond.
10. Fred Hutch Cancer Center – Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Paid | Amount unspecified
Dates: June - August
Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising seniors residing in Greater Seattle or the surrounding areas
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) offers underrepresented high school students an 8-week introduction to biomedical science. You’ll begin with 2 weeks of lab training in techniques such as DNA isolation and gel electrophoresis, followed by 6 weeks of hands-on research in a professional lab environment. Along the way, you’ll attend sessions on topics such as ethics, data visualization, and even college essay writing. Throughout the program, you’ll be mentored by scientists and graduate students who’ll guide you through each step, helping you build confidence and technical skills. The internship culminates in a community presentation of your research findings.
11. Wistar Institute - Biomedical Research Internship
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $1,500 stipend
Dates: July - August
Deadline: January (application opens)
Eligibility: At least 16 years old | Completed one science course | Fully vaccinated against COVID-19
The Wistar Institute Biomedical Research Internship is a four-week summer fellowship that introduces high school students to career paths in biomedical research through lab experience. You’ll learn essential biomedical laboratory techniques while also contributing to projects in the Wistar research Training Lab. You will also learn to read scientific literature and make presentations, and also explore a variety of careers in biomedical research. The program places an emphasis on lab skills, scientific communication, and collaboration within a real research environment. Wistar encourages students from underrepresented backgrounds to apply, and supports 15 highly motivated high school students. By the end of the program, you’ll present your work to faculty and peers and gain a strong foundation in lab-based science.
12. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: $500–$2,500 stipend | $40 application fee (waivers available)
Dates: June 8 - July 30
Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors, age 16+ by June 2026
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week research internship designed to introduce high school students to biomedical science and research. You’ll work one-on-one with a Stanford faculty mentor or graduate researcher in fields such as cancer biology, immunology, bioengineering, and neurobiology. Each participant conducts an independent research project and presents their findings to peers and faculty at the end of the program. Along with daily lab work, you’ll attend lectures and seminars led by Stanford professors, giving you a deeper understanding of medical discoveries and scientific careers.
13. Johns Hopkins Medicine — Youth Summer Jobs Program
Location: Baltimore, MD (on-campus)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship, $15/hour for the 7-week session
Dates: June - August
Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors in the U.S., minimum age 16 by start; U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a JHED ID
This is a seven-week paid summer opportunity that gives high school students a firsthand look at careers in healthcare and hospital operations. You’ll be placed in various departments within Johns Hopkins Medicine, where you’ll take part in practical work, learn how hospitals function, and support patient care and administration. Along the way, you’ll attend professional development workshops and build workplace skills such as communication, reliability, and teamwork. The program emphasizes mentorship and networking within a world-class medical system.
14. Scripps Research Translational Institute - Student Research Internship Program
Location: San Diego
Cost/Stipend: Cost is $4,000 - $8,000 based on lodging; you can opt for an unpaid internship
Dates: May - July
Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
This 8-week internship brings together students for a college-level research experience in translational science and precision medicine. You’ll explore emerging areas such as digital health, genomics, and community-based medical research while working directly with a primary mentor. Interns participate in lab work, data analysis, and clinical observation, building both technical and analytical skills. Beyond research, you’ll attend workshops on topics such as study design, bioethics, and career development, helping you understand how scientific discoveries move from the lab to real-world healthcare. The program culminates in a final presentation, where you’ll share your experience and learnings with peers and scientists.
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