14 Medical Internships in Chicago for Undergraduates
College internships help you turn classroom learning into experience while strengthening your resume and professional profile. They improve your employability by showing initiative, practical skills, and commitment to a field you care about. For students interested in medicine, internships let you see how healthcare works, whether through patient care, research, or clinical support, so you can explore different roles before choosing a path. Chicago, one of the country’s leading healthcare hubs, is home to nationally ranked hospitals, medical schools, and research centers where you can gain exposure to advanced patient care and innovation.
Why should I do a medical internship in college?
A medical internship gives you experience beyond textbooks, helping you understand patient care, teamwork, and decision-making in healthcare. It strengthens your resume for medical school, graduate programs, or jobs by showing skill development and commitment. You’ll also build professional connections with mentors who can guide your career in medicine, and improve essential skills like communication and problem-solving.
Here are 14 of the best medical internships in Chicago for undergraduates!
1. Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Internship (Chicago)
Location: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
Cost: Paid Internship
Dates: June through mid-August
Deadline: December 26
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate university with plans to enroll in medical school
The Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Internship Program is an eight-week paid summer opportunity for undergraduates who plan to become physicians. During the program, you will be placed in a clinical department to work on projects, observe different medical specialties through rotating clinical experiences, and attend educational sessions led by healthcare professionals. With guidance from clinical and administrative mentors, you will gain a clearer understanding of patient care, hospital operations, and the realities of working in a healthcare setting. The internship ends with a poster presentation where you’ll share your work and learning with program leaders and peers.
2. Ladder University Internship
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Apply here.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program where students work on real-world projects for startups in fields like health tech, biotechnology, AI, and sustainability. You’ll be paired with a company coach who provides structured feedback and professional guidance every week. You’ll gain experience in research and communication, wrap up the program with a final presentation, and walk away with a strong addition to your resume. Placements are aligned with each student’s interests, and financial assistance is available. Alumni have gone on to attend universities such as Stanford, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
3. Illinois Medical District (IMD) Internship Program
Location: Illinois Medical District
Cost: Free; A stipend of $19–$21/hour
Dates: 8 weeks; Starting in the summer
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program
The IMD Internship Program at the Illinois Medical District gives undergraduates a hands-on summer experience in one of the largest urban medical districts in the United States, home to more than 40 healthcare organizations and four major hospitals. During the internship, you will work with IMDC staff on projects related to healthcare, communications, urban development, and data analysis. The program helps you understand how healthcare connects with areas such as law, real estate, public safety, and innovation. You’ll also attend executive meetings, support community health initiatives, and contribute to strategic communication efforts while gaining insight into how a large medical district operates.
4. ACS Research Internship at UChicago
Location: UChicago Medicine Center
Stipend: $5,000
Dates: June 7 to August 14
Application Deadline: Application typically closes in February
Eligibility: Applicants must be college sophomores or juniors, 16+ years old
The American Cancer Society Research Internship at the University of Chicago is a 10-week summer opportunity for sophomores and juniors interested in exploring cancer research in depth. During the program, you’ll join a cancer researcher's lab and participate in research, learning how studies are designed, conducted, and analyzed. Beyond the summer, you will attend workshops during the academic year that help you strengthen research skills, leadership abilities, and preparation for graduate programs. With close mentorship and chances to engage in community outreach, the internship supports both your scientific learning and your plans after college.
5. Chicago EYES on Cancer
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,000
Dates: Two-year pathway with two eight-week summer research experiences
Application Deadline: December 2
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior, OR college freshman or sophomore, aged 16 years or older
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a two-year research training program for high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in careers in biomedicine. Hosted by the University of Chicago and supported by the National Cancer Institute, the program places you in full-time summer research positions in cancer labs working in areas such as basic science, clinical research, population health, and translational medicine. Throughout the year, you’ll take part in lectures, workshops, and career development sessions while receiving mentorship from faculty, researchers, and peer mentors. Over two summers, you will develop a research project and present your work at a final symposium for members of the scientific community.
6. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: Illinois Medical District, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $7,000
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a competitive summer program supported by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and hosted at institutions such as the University of Illinois Chicago. During the program, you will conduct independent biomedical research under the guidance of faculty mentors. After completing lab safety training, you’ll move into full-time lab work in areas such as pharmacology, physiology, and molecular biology. You will also take part in seminars, workshops on advanced lab tools, and career day visits to local pharmaceutical companies, giving you both research experience and insight into biomedical careers.
7. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Dates: Typically 8-12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies based on position
Eligibility: College students and graduate students; Must reside in a state where APA is a registered employer
The APA Internship Program lets you explore how psychology is applied in real professional settings such as policy work, research, communications, and organizational operations. During the internship, you will contribute to projects while developing practical workplace skills and learning about the range of careers connected to psychology. You’ll also attend staff presentations, use psychology research resources, and connect with experienced professionals in the field.
8. Northwestern Memorial HealthCare General Administrative Internship
Location: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
Cost: A stipend is paid
Dates: May - July
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
The Northwestern Memorial HealthCare General Administrative Internship is an eight-week paid summer program for undergraduates who want to explore hospital administration. During the program, you will work on project assignments that support different hospital departments and give you insight into healthcare operations and planning. You are paired with a preceptor who mentors you and helps you become part of the team. Through this experience, you’ll learn how hospital systems run, strengthen your communication and project management skills, and collaborate with professionals across departments.
9. Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine Internship
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: Spring through February
Application deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Northwestern University undergraduate students in good academic standing
Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine offers several programs that allow you to explore healthcare careers while you are in college. Through opportunities like NU Docs, research experiences, mentorship, and community health projects, you’ll learn from doctors, researchers, and advisors while gaining exposure to medical settings. You may observe clinical environments, take part in research, and engage in discussions that help you understand different paths in medicine. These programs help you build practical skills, gain confidence, and prepare more thoughtfully for medical school or other health-related careers.
10. International Museum of Surgical Science
Location: Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application deadline: September
Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates across majors
The Internship Program at the International Museum of Surgical Science gives undergraduate students a chance to work with a unique medical institution in Chicago that focuses on the history and development of surgery and healthcare. As an intern, you will gain experience in areas such as museum education, collections management, public programs, and community outreach. You will support the museum’s work by helping with exhibitions, assisting visitors, conducting research on medical history, and contributing to public-facing programs. This internship is a good fit if you want to explore the broader context of medicine and surgery, learn professional skills in education and curation, and connect what you study in college with real museum practice in a medical-themed environment.
11. D&I in CHI Summer Internship
Location: Interns are placed at either Lurie Children's Hospital or UIC Hospital
Cost: Free
Dates: May 27 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate program or recent graduates
The D&I in CHI Summer Internship is a 10-week research program for undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students who are interested in Dissemination and Implementation science. Hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago and Lurie Children’s Hospital in partnership with Northwestern University, the program places you on NIH-funded research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. During the internship, you’ll take part in literature reviews, data collection and analysis, participant tracking, and program support while attending workshops on ethics, professional development, and implementation science. There will be weekly cohort meetings and networking events, which will help you connect with faculty and peers. The program concludes with a final presentation where you share your research work or key takeaways.
12. Child Life Internship – Advocate Children’s Hospital
Location: Advocate Children’s Hospital (Oak Lawn and Park Ridge sites)
Cost: Free
Dates: 16 weeks in the fall
Application Deadline: Application typically closes in March
Eligibility: Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate-level students pursuing a career with children and adolescents in the healthcare setting
The Child Life Internship at Advocate Children’s Hospital gives you hands-on clinical training in pediatric healthcare. You will work with Certified Child Life Specialists to support the emotional and developmental needs of children and families during hospital stays. Over the 16-week program, you’ll rotate through different hospital units, apply your learning in real situations, and build a strong foundation for a career in Child Life. You will also complete structured assignments, weekly reflections, care planning, and therapeutic play activities that follow national certification guidelines.
13. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine: Genetic Counseling Internship
Location: Online
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: June 5 – July 31 (Fridays only)
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed at least two years of college and recent graduates
This internship introduces you to clinical genetics and genetic counseling through the Department of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Over eight weeks, you’ll participate in case discussions, review recorded patient sessions, and attend lectures led by practicing genetic counselors in areas such as pediatrics, neurogenetics, and laboratory specialties. The program also includes one-on-one mentorship and panels on graduate school admissions. It is designed for students considering a future in genetic counseling and gives you foundational knowledge without requiring direct patient interaction.
14. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship
Location: Online
Cost: $4,580
Dates: Session 2 (Virtual): July 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: Summer: February 24; Fall Intensive: June 2
Eligibility: Undergraduate pre-med students (age 16+)
This program offers two flexible learning formats designed to fit different schedules. The 2-week Summer Virtual Session provides interactive classes on Zoom led by Stanford faculty and medical students, covering clinical skills, diagnostics, and insights into medical specialties. For those who prefer a slower pace, the 10-week Fall Intensive delivers the same core content through weekly evening sessions. Both options focus on building practical skills, learning about clinical topics, and receiving mentorship from practicing clinicians, all without the need to relocate.
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