15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Richmond, VA
Thinking about a future in healthcare? Internships are one of the best ways to get a headstart. They let you step into real-world environments, improve your confidence and skill sets, and figure out whether a career in medicine is right for you. On top of that, they boost your resumes and college applications. .
If you are in Richmond, VA, you’re in luck! Richmond is home to many research opportunities, including STEM research programs and internships. From research lab to clinical work, these medical internships for high school students in Richmond, VA let you explore clinical settings, patient care, and medical research. You can thus assess your interest in healthcare before deciding on making it a career.
To get you started, we have compiled a list of 15 medical internships for high school students in Richmond, VA. These programs offer a unique mix of research, observation, and skills training.
1. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical Science Internship Program (MSIP)
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23 - July 31
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students, preferably rising juniors and seniors, in the Greater Richmond Area
The Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical Science Internship Program (MSIP) is a six-week program where high school students get to work in a research lab under the supervision of a research mentor. You will take on a research project, and put in about 30–40 hours per week. By the end of this medical internship for high school students in Richmond, VA, you’ll create a slideshow and poster to showcase your findings and present them during the final week. The presentation will be open not just to fellow students and mentors, but also to your family and the wider VCU community. You’ll also attend weekly seminars featuring guest speakers from VCU and affiliated organizations, thus gaining insights into different areas of medicine. Your exact schedule will depend on what you and your lab agree upon once the program begins.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available | None
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Fall cohort: August 24
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective program that offers high school students the opportunity to gain practical experience by interning remotely with fast-growing start-ups. These start-ups operate across various sectors, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more – so there is something for almost every interest. Many of the participating companies are backed by Y Combinator and led by founders who have worked in places such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. During the internship, you’ll work closely with the start-up manager and receive guidance from a Ladder Coach. You’ll take up real projects that matter to the company and wrap up the program with a final presentation to showcase your work. You can check out the full list of internships on the application form.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Internship Program
Location: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Depends on your internship
Application Deadline: Depends on your internship
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age by the closing date of the announcement
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Internship Program offers work experience to students – high school, vocational, undergraduate, and graduate levels – in government and healthcare. As an intern, you’ll get access to mentorship, build Individual Development Plans, and receive up to 40 hours of formal training each year to help you grow your skills. The program provides two tracks: the Internship Indefinite Program (IIP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITP). IIP interns receive long-term appointments with benefits, and may qualify for federal jobs after the program. ITP interns work on a temporary basis during academic breaks or during the school year, with limited benefits and no possibilities of a permanent role.
4. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee; waivers are available
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University allows high school students to do cutting-edge research with faculty mentors. During the internship, you’ll work with advanced technologies in fields such as bioengineering, neuroscience, climate science, cybersecurity, and nanoscience. Throughout the program, you’ll build essential skills in scientific writing, communication, and innovative problem-solving while also connecting with STEM professionals. You may also publish in scientific journals or present your research at academic conferences. Past projects have covered everything from renewable energy and robotics to infectious diseases and the search for exoplanets – so you have a wide range of topics to explore.
5. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid available for both application and program fees) | None
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week online program that introduces high school students to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You’ll participate in technical lectures on core AI concepts and their use in medicine, while also working on team-based research projects under the mentorship of experts in the field. Throughout the program, you’ll hear from academia, government, and industry experts on new technologies shaping the medical field. You’ll also join career-focused “Lunch and Learn” sessions to explore opportunities at the crossroads of healthcare and technology. After the main program, you may apply for further research experiences. Once you complete the internship, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion for your participation and hard work.
6. Dental Careers Exploration Program @ Virginia Commonwealth University
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 14 - 18
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Richmond area high school students who are between rising 10th graders and graduating seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Dental Careers Exploration Program at VCU is a free, five-day medical internship for high school students in Richmond V.A., who are interested in the field of dentistry. You’ll take part in hands-on lab activities such as tooth carving, suturing, dental impressions, and digital dentistry. The program also includes interactive workshops that introduce you to the roles and responsibilities of dental professionals like hygienists, general dentists, and specialists. You are required to attend all sessions, including orientation and a closing event.
7. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Pharmacy Summer Scholars
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 7- 11
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades nine, 10, 11, and 12
VCU Pharmacy Summer Scholars is a one-week program designed for students interested in learning about pharmacy as a healthcare career. During the week, you’ll jump into activities such as non-sterile compounding, learn about different career paths in pharmacy and even visit different pharmacy settings to see the work of a pharmacist. You’ll also get an opportunity to connect with current pharmacy students and thus gain an insider’s look into what studying and working in pharmacy looks like. Spots are limited to thirty students – so the selection is based on your interest in a pharmacy career.
8. Boston Leadership Institute - Biomedical and Surgical Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,200; competitive need-based scholarships are available | None
Program Dates: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
The Biomedical and Surgical Research Program is a three-week course for high school students interested in medicine, surgery, and clinical care. You’ll start with the basics such as knot tying and progress to advanced procedures, including mock surgeries, diagnostic testing and trauma care scenarios. In the labs, you’ll do dissections, explore body systems and even try implanting a simulated pacemaker. Along the way, you’ll dive deep into the nervous, skeletal, and digestive systems, research surgical treatments for specific diseases and present your findings. And you’ll get practice with real cow hearts, mammalian organs, and fetal pig specimens for a true pre-med experience.
9. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) - Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; There is no stipend
Program Dates: 5 weeks in the Summer
Application Deadline: December 1 - March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week online research experience that gives high-school students a deep dive into the world of neuroscience. Through interactive sessions and curated learning materials, you’ll explore topics such as brain development, mental health disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. You’ll also practice foundational lab techniques, learn about experimental design and work on research-driven projects. You’ll get mentorship and career advice from experts, helping you to see what a future in brain science looks like. By the end of the internship program, you’ll build a strong foundation in neurological science and earn a certificate of completion to show for it.
10. American Cancer Society - High School Program
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Program Dates: 2 weeks in the Summer
Application Deadline: Depends on the institute
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old when the program starts
The American Cancer Society’s High School Program is a two-week virtual summer experience that introduces high school students to the world of cancer research. The program is perfect if you’re interested in a career in cancer science, healthcare, or related fields. During the program, you’ll work with the eCLOSE Institute on case studies and research projects to deepen your understanding of cancer biology and also learn about career opportunities connected with it. It doesn’t stop there – you can stay connected through year-round networking and career development activities, keeping you plugged into opportunities in health and science.
11. UCSD Bioengineering Research Scholars
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,000- $3,000
Program Dates: You can find the dates for each program here.
Application Deadline: You can find the deadline for each program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12 with a minimum GPA of 3.0; at least 14 years old by the start of the course
The UCSD Bioengineering Research Scholars program allows high school students to dive into bioengineering through hands-on learning. It kicks off with BE-BOAT, an introductory course covering essential bioengineering principles, lab techniques, and experimental design using customized kits. You may then move on to BE-ROW, where you will work in teams to develop and run a home-based research project in fields such as tissue engineering or biomechanics. If you excel there, you can advance directly to BE-SHIP, where you will partner with UCSD research labs to carry out independent research. The program features live classes, recorded sessions, and weekly guidance from instructional assistants.
12. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,500 + $95 application fee
Program Dates: Program 1: June 23 - July 4 | Program 2: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the first day of the program
The Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship gives high school students hands-on introduction to cardiothoracic surgery. You’ll learn cardiac and thoracic anatomy, physiology, and surgical conditions through lectures and guided lab work. You’ll acquire skills such as knot tying, dissection, suturing, coronary artery bypass, and valve replacement, all under the guidance of Stanford faculty and surgical trainees. The program also covers ECG analysis, echocardiography, and medical imaging, helping you understand how doctors diagnose major surgical diseases. To top it all, you’ll work directly with surgical tools and porcine hearts to get a better look at cardiac anatomy and surgical techniques.
13. Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week program focused on neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. Through interactive sessions led by Stanford researchers and faculty, you’ll explore topics such as brain imaging, behavioral neuroscience, mindfulness, sports psychiatry, and the role of genetics in mental health. You’ll also get a look at careers in medicine and science,and learn self-care practices for young adults. One of the highlights of this program is the capstone project, where you’ll work in a small group to design solutions to real-world mental health issues. CNI-X integrates lectures, teamwork, and creative thinking into a comprehensive learning experience.
14. Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 participation fee + $40 application fee
Program Dates: June 16- 27
Application Deadline: December 9 - February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 in the Fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program.
The Summer Health AI Bootcamp is a two-week virtual program for high school students curious about how artificial intelligence is shaping healthcare. Through interactive lessons, group discussions, and breakout sessions, you will dive into the core concepts of machine learning in medicine, from evaluation metrics and teamwork strategies, to emerging technologies like generative AI. Each day, you will attend Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions, where guest speakers from various professional backgrounds share how they are using AI in healthcare. You will also take part in collaborative activities and social events to help you connect with peers who share your interests, while strengthening your understanding of this field.
15. Boston Leadership Institute - Biotech Research: Online
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,200
Program Dates: June 30 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
The Biotech Research: Online program provides high school students a summer experience in molecular biology, all from home. During the program, you’ll conduct hands-on experiments at home using lab kits delivered to you. Labs include a bacterial transformation where you alter DNA, a micropipetting module to develop core technical skills, and a simulated ELISA test to identify COVID-19 antibodies. Beyond the lab work, you’ll also examine biotech’s influence on global economies through a workshop on Big Pharma and investing. To wrap things up, you will complete an individual research project on a genetic disorder of your choice, and share the findings with fellow students at a final presentation.
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