15 Medical Internships for High School Students in San Jose
If you're a high school student based in San Jose and considering a future in medicine, healthcare, or biology, a local high school internship can help you explore your interests while gaining early exposure to the field, all while saving a ton of money on housing and transport. Medical internships for high school students often include opportunities to observe clinical settings, contribute to research, and interact with healthcare professionals.
San Jose is home to several hospitals and medical institutions, such as the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital, which help reduce housing and travel costs owing to their local nature. Medical internships in San Jose will also allow you a closer look at how hospitals, labs, and health organizations operate within your city and community. Taking part in internships can strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative and academic curiosity.
This list includes 15 medical internships for high school students in San Jose that offer meaningful ways to engage with the medical field. They also include a few virtual options that San Jose students can apply for.
15 Medical Internships for High School Students in San Jose
1. Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (VMC) Student Intern Program
Location: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Application is often through school placement coordinators; check with respective high school or program contact
Eligibility: All high school students (program-specific criteria such as age and academic standing may apply)
This internship is designed to provide teens with hands-on exposure to the healthcare field in a real hospital setting. You will explore various medical topics such as patient care, hospital operations, and basic clinical procedures. Throughout the program, you may engage in activities like shadowing healthcare professionals, assisting with hospital projects, participating in health education sessions, and observing different medical departments. A unique feature of this program is the direct interaction with medical staff, offering insights into the day-to-day workings of a busy medical center. You will develop valuable skills, including communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of healthcare careers.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available / None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 10-25% / Around 100 students per cohort
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts; Upcoming Winter cohort starts December 8
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Winter cohort: November 16; apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates and gap-year students who can work 10–20 hours a week for 8–16 weeks
Ladder Internships is a virtual program where you work with a startup or nonprofit on a research or strategy-based project. It pairs you with a startup mentor and a Ladder Coach, who helps guide your weekly progress and support your learning. Projects include tasks such as market research, competitor analysis, or developing a product proposal, depending on your placement. The program includes regular training sessions on professional communication and project planning. You’ll present your final work to your host organization at the end of the program. Weekly check-ins and structured mentorship help you stay on track throughout. The internship is remote and open to students worldwide.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee which can be waived for students with financial need / Stipend of $500 - $2,500
Cohort Size: Around 50 students per cohort
Dates: June 8 – July 30 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age | Must currently be living in and attending high school in the U.S. | U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card
In this program, you will spend eight weeks working in a Stanford lab alongside faculty, researchers, and students. It covers the areas of immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, and bioengineering. After being placed in a lab, you’ll assist with ongoing projects and participate in lab meetings, seminars, and technical training. The program includes structured mentorship and ends with a presentation of your research work. A bioengineering boot camp is also offered to selected students at the start of the program. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend guest lectures by Stanford scientists and participate in sessions on scientific communication, research ethics, and career exploration.
4. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000 stipend to students who can demonstrate financial need
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Selective / Exact cohort size not mentioned
Dates: June 17 – July 25
Application Deadline: Typically February
Eligibility: Current rising high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age | Reside and attend high school in Northern California Counties such as San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz | Minimum 3.0 GPA
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a six-week research internship where you assist with child health and medicine-related projects under faculty mentorship. You'll be matched with a Stanford researcher and help with tasks such as literature reviews, data entry, and analysis. The program includes weekly professional development sessions covering topics like research ethics, career pathways, and public speaking. You'll also have opportunities to interact with Stanford students and hear from guest speakers in the medical field. The program includes workshops on building effective research posters, practicing elevator pitches, and writing personal reflections. At the end of the program, you present your research findings to peers and mentors.
5. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University in Stanford, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective / Approximately 20 students
Program Dates: June 15 – August 6
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school or community college students who are at least 16 years of age
This seven-week research internship takes place at Stanford’s Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. You assist in biomedical research projects, working closely with clinician-scientist mentors. Your responsibilities will include performing standard lab techniques like imaging and histology as well as contributing to data collection and analysis. The program offers weekly workshops on topics such as scientific communication, professional ethics, and research methods. It concludes with a final presentation of your project to faculty and peers. STaRS aims to introduce high school students to the routines and structure of medical research labs in a Stanford campus setting.
6. UCSF CURE Research Internship Program
Location: Multiple UCSF campuses in San Francisco, CA.
Stipend: Paid, amount not mentioned
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive / 10-11 interns per year
Dates: June 12 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Current 11th grader | At least 16 years old by the start of the program | Minimum GPA of 2.5 | Must have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better
In this program, you’ll be matched with a lab in areas like basic science, clinical research, or public health, and take part in daily lab work under the guidance of UCSF researchers and graduate mentors. In addition to research, you’ll have the opportunity to attend workshops on scientific communication, college readiness, and career development. Throughout the summer, you’ll have the chance to learn experimental design, data interpretation, and academic writing. You’ll also take part in small group discussions on topics such as health equity and community engagement in science. At the end of the program, you will present your work at a research symposium.
7. Santa Clara University - Young Scholars Program
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA (3.3 miles from San Jose)
Cost: $632 per unit; financial aid is available via the Office of Accessible Education
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 18 – 25
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students their junior or senior year
The Santa Clara University Young Scholars Program is designed for high school juniors and seniors who want to explore college-level academics and life on a university campus. You will dive into engaging topics that span sciences, humanities, and social sciences, often tailored to those interested in health and STEM fields. Throughout the program, you will attend interactive lectures, collaborate on group projects, engage in critical thinking workshops, and explore the Santa Clara campus through guided tours and social events. You will develop valuable skills like analytical thinking, effective communication, and time management, all while experiencing the challenges and rewards of college coursework.
8. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective / 24 students
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Northern California
In this program, you’ll spend part of each week interning at Stanford Hospital, where you’ll shadow doctors, observe clinical departments, and gain insight into healthcare environments. The program also includes faculty-led lectures in medicine and public health, anatomy lab sessions, and a group project addressing a real-world public health issue. You’ll work closely with mentors from Stanford’s medical community and engage in professional development workshops aimed at preparing you for careers in healthcare. You’ll also receive guidance on the college application process, including how to apply for financial aid. Additional sessions cover topics such as clinical case studies and interpreting medical literature.
9. High School Internship Program at Kaiser Permanente
Location : Medical centers in Northern California
Stipend: Hourly wage paid, rate not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective / 40-50 students per year
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old | Planning for post-secondary education as a first-gen student | Meet two of the three low-income requirements (receive free or reduced school lunch/attend a Title 1 school/receive Medicaid) | Eligibility to legally work in the U.S.
This six-week internship provides real-world healthcare experience in various departments such as nursing, internal medicine, administration, and patient care services across Northern California locations. You'll support non-clinical departments and observe how healthcare systems operate. You'll assist with administrative tasks, attend weekly educational workshops, and gain exposure to career paths in medicine and public health. The program begins with a structured orientation covering professional expectations, communication skills, and workplace conduct. Throughout the internship, you'll be paired with a mentor and attend sessions focused on healthcare careers and community wellness. You’ll also get to participate in group discussions and activities with other interns.
10. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford, CA
Stipend: A small number of need-based scholarships subject to eligibility
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive / 20 students
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older | Residing in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties | Minimum 3.0 GPA
If you're a high school student in the Bay Area interested in bioinformatics, the Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS) offers an eight-week summer opportunity focused on computational genomics. You'll work alongside graduate students and researchers in the Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, assisting in analyzing DNA sequencing data and exploring genetic variations. The program emphasizes coding and data analysis, so prior experience with programming (especially Python or R) is helpful but not required. You'll also attend seminars on genomics, ethics, and current research developments, gaining a broader understanding of the field.
11. Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH Internship Program
Location: Northern California, including Oakland headquarters and medical offices across Northern California
Stipend: $23 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 10-20% / Not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: High schoolers who are between 16 and 19 years old by June 1 | Permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area | Legal eligibility to work in the U.S.
The Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH Internship Program covers a wide range of topics, including medical sciences, public health, mental health, and health equity, giving students a broad understanding of the healthcare field. You will engage in hands-on activities such as shadowing healthcare professionals, participating in workshops, collaborating on community health projects, and attending career panels featuring industry leaders. Throughout the program, you will develop valuable skills like teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and a practical understanding of healthcare systems. Participating in LAUNCH significantly strengthens college applications by showcasing real-world experience, commitment to healthcare, and exposure to leadership opportunities in a competitive, paid internship setting.
12. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship (Virtual)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Application Fee: $40; Program Participation Fee: $850; financial aid is available / None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 25 students each year
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents | 14 years or older by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual program where you explore how artificial intelligence is applied in medicine and healthcare. Over two weeks, you join live sessions led by Stanford faculty and researchers, covering topics like medical imaging, machine learning, and clinical data analysis. You work in a small group on a structured research project, with guidance from mentors on designing and analyzing your work. The program includes technical workshops, Q&A panels with medical professionals and researchers, and discussions about AI ethics in healthcare. You may have the option to extend your research independently after the formal sessions conclude.
13. UT Southwestern “Inspiring Careers in Mental Health” Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very competitive / 15-20 students per session
Dates: Two weeks in June
Application Deadline: Usually early February
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
The UT Southwestern High School Summer Internship is a virtual program designed to introduce you to the wide range of careers in mental health and give you a practical look at what these professionals do. The program pairs you with experienced mentors, including psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and licensed clinical social workers, who will guide you throughout the program. The sessions are designed to give you a better understanding of how therapy is practiced, how the brain is studied, and how professionals support patients in clinical and community settings. To help you prepare, you’ll be given a curated set of readings ranging from journal articles to news stories before each live session.
14. Johns Hopkins Psychology & Brain Sciences Virtual Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective / 5-6 students
Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The virtual JHIBS program offers high school students an introduction to brain and behavioral science through structured online learning. You'll attend weekly seminars led by Johns Hopkins faculty covering topics in psychiatry, neuroscience, and mental health in the summer. You’ll also participate in research skills workshops and professional development sessions designed to build your understanding of the scientific process. Sessions include guidance on interpreting scientific literature, research ethics, and academic pathways in brain science. Graduate mentors provide additional support through small group discussions and Q&A sessions. The program is designed to increase access to neuroscience education for those with limited opportunities in STEM.
15. United Planet Virtual Internship – Global Health Track
Location: Virtual and On-site options in 20+ countries
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not selective / 100+ students
Dates: Flexible start dates year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students (age 16+)
United Planet offers a virtual global health internship where you can support international public health organizations through remote project work. You’ll begin with orientation modules on global health topics, cultural context, and project planning. Over a flexible 1–6 month period, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing work such as health education initiatives, data collection, or research assistance. You’ll be matched with an international organization and meet regularly with a local mentor, while also receiving support from United Planet staff. Additional sessions focus on professional communication, cross-cultural awareness, and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the end of the program, you’ll prepare a final report or presentation summarizing your work.
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