15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Washington
Internships are a fantastic way for high school students like you to gain real-world experience, build your resume, and improve your chances of future success. If you're a high school student with aspirations in medicine, medical internships are an excellent way to begin shaping your future career. Not only will you learn more about the medical profession, but you'll also develop valuable skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving that will set you apart.
In this blog, we’ve put together a list of the 15 best medical internships for high school students in Washington to help you explore different areas of healthcare and take the first step toward your career in medicine. Whether you’re interested in clinical work, research, or healthcare technology, these internships will give you the chance to dive in and make a real impact.
15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Washington
1. Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive with limited spots
Dates: June 23 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: You must be a high school student
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) gives you the chance to dive into biomedical research with a full-time, paid internship. You’ll start with two weeks of hands-on training in laboratory safety and techniques before joining a research group for the next six weeks. During your time there, you’ll do real research, with mentorship from professionals, seminars, and workshops designed to help you develop both your scientific knowledge and your career skills. You can gain valuable experience and make connections in the biomedical field, especially if you’re interested in pursuing science further in your academic journey.
2. Ladder Internships - Healthcare and Medicine Track
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,490 (Financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can commit to 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers a highly selective, remote internship program for ambitious high school students interested in healthcare and medicine. As an intern, you’ll be paired with a high-growth startup in the health tech or medicine field, working on real-world projects. Interns will collaborate with their managers and a Ladder coach, gaining valuable experience in communication, time management, and more. You’ll also attend group training sessions with fellow interns and present your work to the company.
3. Stanford University - AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application Fee: $40 | Tuition: $850 (Financial aid available)
Cohort Size: Highly selective; 50 students per year
Dates: June 16-27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp at Stanford University is a two-week, virtual program designed to introduce high school students to machine learning in healthcare. During the bootcamp, you will participate in interactive online modules, group discussions, breakout activities, and social events, all while learning the basics of machine learning and its role in healthcare. Key topics include evaluation metrics, implementation challenges, emerging technologies like generative AI and foundation models, and best practices in the field. You’ll also gain insights from professionals across various sectors during Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions.
4. Research Training Program at Seattle Children's Research Institute
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive program; 16 spots available
Dates: July 14 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Rising 11th-grade students
The Research Training Program (RTP) at Seattle Children’s is a hands-on opportunity for high school students to dive into the world of laboratory research. As a participant, you'll spend four weeks learning key research techniques like gene editing, microscopy, and immunoassays, all while working in a professional lab environment. You'll explore important topics in biochemistry, immunology, and public health, with the chance to conduct your own independent research project. Beyond the lab, you'll gain valuable college and career insights through workshops and facility tours. Plus, the program culminates in a presentation where you'll share your findings with the Seattle Children's community.
5. BRIGHT-UP Program
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive program with around 20 spots
Dates: June – August 2025
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12)
Designed for high school students from economically and educationally under-resourced backgrounds, this 8-week summer internship connects you with professional mentors and provides hands-on experience in a research lab. Throughout the program, you’ll learn valuable laboratory skills and get exposure to different scientific disciplines through Pathways to Science panels, lab tours, and discussions with professionals. As part of the program, you'll also work on a research project and gain practical experience, all while being part of a supportive community aimed at increasing diversity in biomedical research.
6. J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) Summer Internship Program
Location: Rockville, Maryland, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $17.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, small cohort
Dates: May–August, 2025
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; positions close once filled
Eligibility: You must be at least 16 years old, reside in the United States, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
The JCVI Summer Internship Program gives you the chance to step directly into the world of genomics research. As an intern, you'll be paired with a faculty or senior scientist mentor who will guide you through real research projects tailored to your academic background. You’ll get hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, while collaborating with world-class scientists in a professional laboratory environment. Over the 10–15 weeks, you’ll attend seminars, journal clubs, and career development workshops designed to help you grow as a scientist and professional. Along with valuable skills and networking opportunities, you'll be compensated for your time, making this an ideal way to jumpstart your career in STEM.
7. The Young Scientist Program (YSP) – Summer Focus
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer research internship (stipend provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive;
Dates: Summer program typically runs 8 weeks (specific 2025 dates TBD)
Application Deadline: Deadlines generally fall in early spring (exact 2025 date TBD)
Eligibility: High school students from the St. Louis area
Through the YSP Summer Focus Program, you’ll spend your summer working alongside scientists at Washington University in St. Louis on real-world research projects. You’ll gain hands-on experience in the lab, develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and receive one-on-one mentorship from graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Beyond lab work, you’ll participate in workshops, field trips, and career development activities that will deepen your understanding of the scientific method and introduce you to the wide range of opportunities in research and healthcare. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a research symposium and leave with a stronger foundation in science.
8. UT Southwestern Medical Center Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Two-week summer program (June 2025; specific dates provided upon acceptance)
Application Deadline: Early February 2025
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students
The UT Southwestern High School Student Internship is a unique two-week summer experience designed to introduce you to the broad range of careers available in mental health. Through interactive online sessions led by clinicians and researchers, including psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and licensed clinical social workers, you’ll learn what it’s really like to work in mental health care. Topics span psychotherapy, neuroscience, community psychiatry, neuropsychological testing, and interventional psychiatry. You’ll complete engaging readings beforehand and then dive into live sessions where you can ask questions about the science, the practice, and the career paths of your mentors.
9. Doctor for a Day (DFAD) Program at UW Medicine
Location: University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Free program for participants
Cohort Size: Serves over 560 students annually
Dates: Monthly themed academy events
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Open to K-12 students
The Doctor for a Day (DFAD) program is an immersive, hands-on initiative designed to expose K-12 students. The program includes interactive workshops led by medical students, with activities such as physical exam skills, patient interviewing, and suturing. DFAD aims to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals by showing students the vast array of career paths in medicine and healthcare. Students participating in DFAD benefit from exposure to healthcare professions and gain valuable mentoring and role models in medical students. The program is vital for shaping the future healthcare workforce and addressing health disparities in marginalized communities.
10. Gateway Exploration Program (GEP) at Georgetown University School of Medicine
Location: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (no specific stipend listed)
Cohort Size: Limited to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from DC Public Schools
Dates: Summer 2024
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending District of Columbia Public Schools who are U.S. citizens
The Gateway Exploration Program (GEP) is a fantastic internship opportunity designed just for you if you're a high school student interested in pursuing a career in medicine or the health professions. Sponsored by Georgetown University School of Medicine and the Mayor Marion S. Barry’s Summer Youth Education Program, this program gives you the chance to explore your dreams of becoming a doctor or healthcare professional. As a GEP Scholar, you’ll be matched with medical departments that align with your academic interests, and you'll gain hands-on experience through shadowing, clinical exposure, and medical simulations. You'll also attend lectures from faculty, work on research presentations related to health disparities, and refine your writing and research skills. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to network with mentors who can guide you through the next steps in your medical career journey.
11. Phlebotomy Training Program at Providence
Location: Multiple Providence locations
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (Earn-to-Learn program offers $17/hour)
Cohort Size: Limited spaces available based on location and need
Dates: Summer or as needed (depending on location)
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent required
The Providence Phlebotomy Training Program offers a unique opportunity for those looking to enter the healthcare field. As a phlebotomist, you’ll be on the front lines of laboratory medicine, working directly with patients to collect blood and non-blood specimens essential to the diagnostic process. Providence’s training program is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a qualified phlebotomist, meeting both state licensure and national certification requirements..
12. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Application fee $40; Program participation fee $850
Cohort Size: Approximately 25 students
Dates: June 16-27
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: High school students
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers an engaging two-week virtual Summer Research Internship for high school students interested in AI and healthcare. Throughout the program, you’ll work on AI research projects, attend lectures on AI in healthcare, and collaborate with Stanford students and researchers. You’ll also have the chance to join career panels with professionals from academia, industry, and non-profits, plus receive mentorship and networking opportunities in the AI and healthcare fields. This internship is a great fit for students with a passion for math, programming, or healthcare, especially those with related skills.
13. Neuroscience Summer Student Program at UW Medicine
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided
Cohort Size: Varies; competitive program with high application volume
Dates: 8-week program during the summer (exact dates TBD)
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: High school graduates (18+)
The UW Medicine Department of Neuroscience Summer Scholars Program offers high school students hands-on experience in both basic and clinical neuroscience through laboratory research and clinical observations. This eight-week program allows students to explore "Bench to Bedside" neuroscience by engaging in research, observing neurosurgical procedures, and shadowing professionals in neurology and neurosurgery clinics. You will also attend weekly Grand Rounds and faculty lectures and present a research project at the end of the program. This program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in neuroscience, medicine, or related fields, with many alumni continuing their education in neuroscience or medical school.
14. UW Nurse Camp
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free program
Cohort Size: Limited spaces available
Dates: July 14-18
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: High school students
The UW Nurse Camp is a free, week-long program designed to introduce high school students in Washington State to the nursing field. The camp aims to increase access to nursing careers for a more diverse group of students. During the camp, you'll participate in interactive sessions about nursing education and career opportunities, learn basic nursing skills, and gain exposure to healthcare settings. You'll also engage with nursing professionals and faculty at the University of Washington. Since it’s a day camp, participants will need to arrange their own transportation to and from the Seattle campus each day. To be eligible, campers must be at least 16 years old by the first day of the camp.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual (for U.S. students nationwide)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: 5-week virtual program (summer 2025)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a summer research program designed for high school students interested in the neurological sciences, offering both in-person and virtual experiences. The virtual option is available to students across the U.S., where participants will engage in educational presentations, professional development, and mentorship training, along with learning laboratory techniques. Both programs offer valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to present research, with virtual interns receiving a certificate of completion at the end.
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