15 Medical Internships for High School Students in San Francisco
Have you ever thought about what it’s like to work in medicine? If you’re a high school student, a medical internship can help you explore the field early. These internships give you experience that goes beyond classroom learning, such as shadowing professionals and contributing to impactful projects. It’s also a smart way to build your resume, strengthen your college applications, and get potential recommendations for future applications. These factors can also help when you’re applying for scholarships and competitive jobs.
San Francisco has many hospitals and medical institutions, such as the UCSF Medical Center, Stanford Medicine, and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, which offer medical internships for high schoolers. San Francisco’s innovative biomedical research can give you access to the latest developments in the field. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a selection of 15 standout medical internships for high school students in San Francisco.
15 Medical Internships for High School Students in San Francisco
1. CURE Research Internship Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 – 11 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 11th graders | Must have completed biology or chemistry with a grade B or better | Must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program | Minimum GPA of 2.5
The UCSF CURE Research Internship Program is a paid, eight-week medical internship for high school students in San Francisco. You work closely with UCSF faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows on research projects spanning clinical, behavioral, population, and basic sciences. Alongside conducting experiments and analyzing data, interns also develop college readiness skills through career advising, college application support, and professional development workshops. Each intern completes an independent research project and presents their findings at a Research Symposium. The program also allows you to learn experimental design, data interpretation, and academic writing.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program connects high school students with startups in fields like healthcare, biotechnology, and health innovation through a fully virtual, eight-week experience. As a participant, you’ll be matched with a company mentor who provides weekly guidance and feedback throughout your project. Within the Medical & Health Innovation Track, you might work on projects involving health data analysis, medical technology design, or community health research. The program focuses on independent problem-solving and teamwork, concluding with a final presentation to company leaders.
3. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 stipend for students demonstrating financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 40 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who are 16 or older | Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 | Live and attend school in one of the following counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Cruz
PIPS is a six-week summer research opportunity designed for high school students from Northern California who are interested in pediatrics, child health, or disease biology. You spend about 30 hours per week in research laboratories, where you assist Stanford faculty and scientists on ongoing medical projects. The internship combines research training with professional development workshops focused on scientific writing, communication, and college preparation. Students also prepare a final poster presentation summarizing their research experience. The program also features the “Near Peer Mentor” program, which pairs you with undergraduates, medical students, or residents who share insights from their own educational and professional journeys and provide ongoing academic support.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee, which can be waived under certain criteria/Minimum of $500, up to $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 3%; 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors as of the fall, graduating in this or next year | At least 16 years old by June 8 | Reside in and attend high school in the U.S. and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a green card
SIMR is an eight-week biomedical research internship for high school juniors and seniors. It matches you with Stanford faculty mentors, and you are placed within one of several research institutes focused on areas such as stem cell biology, neurobiology, cancer research, or bioengineering. Over the summer, you’ll gain hands-on experience in experimental design, lab techniques, and data interpretation while attending lectures and workshops that introduce key concepts in medical science. The program culminates in a formal poster presentation, allowing you to communicate your findings to the research community. SIMR also includes a Bioengineering Bootcamp for students interested in applied medical technology.
5. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: San Francisco, CA, and Oakland, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 8.5%; approximately 35-40 students per year
Dates: Typically 9 weeks, from early June to early August
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, age 16+ by June 1, with at least one year of completed math and biology
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program is a nine-week, full-time internship for Bay Area high school students interested in biomedical or clinical research. The program pairs you with a UCSF mentor and contributes to an ongoing lab or clinical project, where you gain direct experience with experimental techniques, data collection, and analysis. Weekly seminars, journal clubs, and writing assignments such as research abstracts and proposals help deepen scientific understanding and communication skills. The internship concludes with a formal Research Symposium where you present your work to peers and faculty.
6. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / No stipend; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5-8%; approximately 50 students each summer
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Local students from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties | Must be 16+ by start date | Have prior knowledge in biology, chemistry, or programming, and hold a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford is an eight-week research experience for high school students in the Bay Area interested in genetics, biology, and data science. You’ll spend about 20 hours per week in a Stanford research lab, where you’ll work on computational genomics projects involving data analysis and genetic research under the mentorship of faculty and graduate researchers. The internship also includes weekly seminars, cohort discussions, and professional development sessions focused on biomedical research and career exploration. Regular meetings with mentors help you understand scientific methods, interpret data, and present findings clearly.
7. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 24 students selected per year
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Typically mid-March
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound
SMYSP is a five-week, tuition-free residential program for low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California who are interested in medicine, health policy, and research. The program combines clinical shadowing, anatomy instruction, and public health education with mentorship from medical professionals and college students. You’ll also participate in workshops on college readiness, leadership, and professional development, all while contributing to a team-based research project that addresses local health disparities. Each week features lectures from Stanford faculty and hands-on learning experiences that connect science with real-world medical challenges.
8. Stanford STaRS Internship
Location: Stanford University campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 20 students per year
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students who are age 16+ by June
The Stanford STaRS (Stanford Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Summer) Internship is a seven-week research program for high school students interested in biomedical science, regenerative medicine, and surgical innovation. Over the summer, you’ll spend four days a week conducting research alongside Stanford clinicians and scientists, with the fifth day reserved for lectures, workshops, and site visits. You learn laboratory techniques, analyze scientific data, and explore applications of tissue engineering and bioengineering in medical settings. The program also incorporates professional development sessions and software training to strengthen technical and communication skills. By the end of the internship, you’ll present your research to the Stanford scientific community.
9. Touro University California High School Summer Program
Location: Vallejo, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; around 25 students
Dates: June 9 – 18
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who belong to an educationally or economically disadvantaged background | Reside in a County North of the San Francisco Bay (Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, San Joaquin), and be a high school junior or senior
The High School Summer Program at Touro University California is an academic and experiential program focused on healthcare and public health. You engage in labs such as “Food as Medicine,” medication compounding, and clinical simulations, while also earning three college credits upon completion. You’ll take part in a community health research project, develop academic and professional skills through workshops on topics like research methods, financial literacy, and empathy training, and receive both career and peer mentoring. The program includes public health-focused modules on harm reduction and healthcare innovation, as well as CPR certification and team-based challenges. Students who complete the program are eligible for a $1,000 annual scholarship toward a Touro University California health professions program.
10. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $3,200 for 25 hours/week; $4,500 for 35 hours/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Open to current juniors attending an SFUSD school or an SF charter school
The UCSF High School Intern Program is a paid medical internship for high school students in San Francisco who are interested in biomedical research. As a HIP intern, you’ll be paired with a UCSF scientist mentor and work on original research projects in areas such as neuroscience, molecular biology, or infectious disease. Alongside your lab responsibilities, you’ll attend workshops on college preparation, resume writing, and career development, and participate in a group college tour. The program also hosts family information sessions on financial aid and higher education planning. Each intern is required to complete a research presentation at the program’s conclusion.
11. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Summer Internship
Location: Virtual (Stanford University Faculty-led)
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 + $95 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 25 – 30 students
Dates: Two sessions of two weeks during the summer (June – July)
Application Deadline: Typically late February or early March
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Summer Internship is a two-week program for high school students inclined towards surgical science and medicine. The curriculum blends morning lectures on cardiothoracic anatomy, physiology, and clinical surgery with afternoon technical labs where you practice hands-on skills such as suturing, knot tying, dissection, and cardiac valve replacement. Under the guidance of Stanford faculty, residents, and staff, you’ll gain exposure to the principles of cardiac and thoracic surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting and heart transplantation. Students receive their own instrument kits and simulation materials to apply surgical techniques in a dynamic learning environment.
12. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
Cost/Stipend: Ranges from $1,980 to $6,380 depending on the cohort and duration of the sessions; more details here; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 24 students
Dates: Session 1 (In person): July 13 – 24; Session 2 (Virtual): July 27 – August 7 | Fall Intensive (Virtual): September 10 – November 12 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Summer: February 24; Fall: June 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 years or older by the program’s start date
CSI introduces high school juniors, seniors, and early undergraduates to the practical and human sides of medicine through hands-on simulations and guided clinical learning. Over the course of this medical internship for high school students in San Francisco, you’ll work alongside Stanford faculty, medical students, and residents while participating in case-based exercises, dissections, and clinical workshops. Activities include patient simulations, visits to Stanford’s emergency Life Flight station, and dissections led by practicing physicians covering organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. You’ll also learn essential clinical skills like suturing, taking patient histories, and recording vital signs accurately.
13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 8 students
Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
JHIBS is a research-focused summer experience for high school juniors and seniors who want to explore neuroscience and medical research. The internship combines mentored research, scientific lectures, and lab technique instruction. You study brain structure, neurobiology, and neurological disorders while gaining exposure to clinical and experimental research practices. You’ll work under faculty guidance on a research project, attend professional development workshops, and present your findings at the program’s conclusion. All participants who complete the program receive a certificate highlighting their research and participation.
14. KP Launch High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations throughout the country, including San Francisco
Stipend: Up to $24/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 20 – 50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 with work eligibility in the U.S. and permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
The KP Launch High School Program, run by Kaiser Permanente, is a seven-week paid internship designed to introduce students to healthcare careers through hands-on work in administrative and operational roles. It places you in departments such as hospital operations, finance, or human resources to learn how healthcare systems function behind the scenes. The program also includes weekly workshops focused on workplace readiness, project management, and professional communication. Mentorship from healthcare professionals helps you navigate projects and understand how non-clinical roles contribute to patient care.
15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $840 + $40 application fee; financial aid is available for both fees / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will be 14 years or older by the program's start
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program organized by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging. It introduces high school students to the role of AI in healthcare, particularly in medical imaging and diagnostics. Through daily lectures, technical tutorials, and group projects, you’ll explore how machine learning and data science are applied to improve patient outcomes and medical decision-making. The program also includes mentorship sessions with Stanford researchers, collaborative research exercises, and virtual career discussions featuring speakers from academia, industry, and government. Participants who complete the internship receive a certificate, and motivated students may continue with an extended independent research project.
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