12 Medical Programs for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
If you’re a high school student interested in medicine, consider participating in a medical program to explore the field. These opportunities help you gain practical experience, build skills used in college-level science courses, and better understand what studying medicine or healthcare could look like after high school. Depending on the program, you might work in a lab, observe patient care, or learn how data and research inform medical decisions in areas such as neuroscience, bioinformatics, or cancer research. Participating in a medical program can also boost your college applications, especially if you’re applying to competitive pre-med programs.
What medical programs are available for high schoolers in New York?
New York City offers a range of medical programs for high school students, including research programs, clinical exposure opportunities, and structured summer courses. The city is home to major hospitals, research centers, and universities, which means programs give you exposure to medical research and clinical environments. Many are hosted by top institutions such as Columbia University, Mount Sinai, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Programs may include lab work, shadowing, seminars, or guided projects, and some offer stipends or certificates.
Here are 12 medical programs for high schoolers in New York City!
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free; $1,200 stipend provided
Program dates: June 27 – August 22 (eight weeks)
Application deadline: Opens December–January each year
Eligibility: Students aged 14+ who have completed at least 9th grade; GPA 3.5+ in science subjects
This eight-week internship lets you experience what it's like to do research at one of the world’s leading cancer centers. You’ll join a professional research team at Memorial Sloan Kettering and take part in biomedical or computational research, guided by expert mentors. Along the way, you’ll build valuable lab, data analysis, and problem-solving skills, while contributing to scientific research. Outside the lab, you’ll attend sessions on translational medicine and explore how research translates into real-world treatments.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies according to program; Financial aid available
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
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 selective start-up internship program for high school students to gain real-world experience in high-growth startups! In this program, you’ll work directly with a high-growth company in industries ranging from tech/deep tech, AI/ML, and health tech, to marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Many of Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that have raised over a million dollars in funding. You’ll work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects that make a difference and then present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Columbia University Labs, New York, NY
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Program dates: July 1 – August 16 (eight weeks)
Application deadline: Opens in October
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors living in NYC (preference for Upper Manhattan and South Bronx)
If you’re fascinated by how the brain works and eager to experience real research, the Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC program is your chance to dive in. This program pairs you one-on-one with Columbia neuroscientists, where you’ll work on your own lab project while learning essential research and lab skills and gaining insights into neuroscience. You’ll also take part in essential training workshops and mentorship sessions that prepare you for future opportunities in science and medicine. Many BRAINYAC and alumni even return for paid fellowships or internships, making this program a first step in the world of neuroscience research.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Medicine track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small 1:1 mentor-student format
Location: Virtual (worldwide access)
Cost: Tuition-based (financial aid available)
Program dates: 12 weeks (multiple sessions year-round)
Application deadline: Rolling (varies by cohort)
Eligibility: High school students passionate about research
If you are ready to take your curiosity about medicine to the next level, the Medicine Track under the Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives you the chance to do just that. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and complete your own independent research project. You’ll explore topics such as medicine, psychology, public health, and biotechnology—anything that truly excites you. By the end of the program, you’ll have a research paper that showcases your academic curiosity and learning in medicine, and readiness for college-level work.
5. Einstein-Montefiore Summer High School Research Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Free (paid research opportunity)
Program dates: Five-week summer program
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students (ages 16 or older)
If you’ve ever dreamed of doing real scientific research before college, this five-week program makes it happen. You’ll join a research team at Einstein and Montefiore, working with scientists and mentors on projects in cutting-edge fields. You’ll gain hands-on experience that goes far beyond the classroom, from mastering lab techniques to analyzing data. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with other students who share your curiosity and passion for science. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings and return to your school as a “Research Ambassador” ready to inspire others to explore the world of science.
6. Roswell Park’s Summer Cancer Research Experience Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free for accepted participants
Program dates: Summer
Application deadline: TBD
Eligibility: High school juniors ages 16–17
At Roswell Park, you’ll step into the world of cutting-edge cancer research and experience what it's like to work as a scientist. You’ll design and conduct your own research project alongside experts while discovering how biology intersects with math, physics, and engineering. The program also covers topics such as research ethics, data analysis, and the growing role of AI in science. It gives you a front-row seat to the future of biomedical research and a chance to explore careers in medicine and biomedical research.
7. Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: September – May (Saturday mornings)
Application deadline: Typically in the spring
Eligibility: 10th–12th graders living within 75 miles of Columbia
The Columbia University Science Honors Program offers high school students an opportunity to dive deep into advanced topics in math and science. You’ll spend your Saturday mornings on Columbia’s campus attending courses taught by university faculty and researchers, exploring subjects such as astrophysics, genetics, and quantum mechanics. Along the way, you’ll connect with other students who share your passion for discovery and experience the challenge of college-level science in a supportive, academic setting.
8. The Rockefeller Institute: Summer Neuroscience Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohort
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Tuition-based
Program dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Ages 16 and above
If you’ve ever wondered how the brain works and why we think, feel, or act the way we do, this program for high school students in NYC (New York City) is the perfect place to start. Over two weeks, you’ll explore neuroscience through interactive lectures, journal readings, and experiment design. You’ll visit cutting-edge research labs, meet scientists pushing the boundaries of discovery, and even get to dissect a brain! It’s a great way to understand how neuroscience connects to everyday life while building the kind of hands-on lab and research skills that will give you a head start in college.
9. Barnard College Health and Society Institute
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small group format
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Tuition-based
Program dates: Summer
Application deadline: Contact the program for details
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This medical program for high school students in NYC (New York City) helps them explore how science and medicine connect with culture, ethics, and human experience. Through discussions, readings, and a small research project, you’ll see how culture, ethics, and human experience shape the way we think about health. Led by scholars, doctors, and journalists, you’ll unpack topics such as public health, healing traditions, and medical ethics, and learn how different fields—from anthropology to biology—shape our understanding of health and care. It’s ideal if you’re interested in both science and the humanities, and want to see medicine through a holistic lens.
10. Introduction to Bioinformatics
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small group format
Location: Hybrid (New York, NY and Online)
Cost: Tuition-based
Program dates: Summer
Application deadline: Contact the program for details
Eligibility: Ages 14–18
If you’re curious about how computers can unlock the secrets of biology, this program is a great place to start. You’ll learn about molecular biology, genomics, and coding, discovering how scientists use data to make discoveries. Each week, you’ll attend in-person sessions and work on real-world bioinformatics projects that use open-access genomic data to explore actual research questions. This program is a blend of science and technology that shows how biology and computing come together to drive modern discoveries.
11. The Mini Vet School
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open; space-limited
Location: Amherst, NY
Cost: Tuition-based
Program dates: Five-week series during the school year
Application deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Ages 14–18
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a veterinarian, this Mini Vet School program gives you an inside look at the world of animal medicine. Over five weeks, you’ll attend lectures led by veterinary professionals who’ll walk you through topics taught in vet school, from animal anatomy and health to diseases and treatment. You’ll also deepen your understanding of how vets care for animals and even earn a certificate for completing 10 hours of veterinary science study. It’s a fun and rewarding way to explore your love for animals while building a strong foundation for future studies.
12. Medical and Scientific Exploration Program (MSEP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Hybrid (New York, NY and Online)
Cost: Tuition-based
Program dates: Summer
Application deadline: Contact the program for details
Eligibility: Ages 14–18
The Mount Sinai Medical Student Enhancement Program (MSEP) gives students a firsthand look at how science and medicine intersect in real hospitals and labs. You’ll work in departments across the Mount Sinai Health System, meeting doctors, researchers, and medical professionals and participating in lab and clinical activities. The program blends online sessions with in-person learning, helping you understand how science translates into patient care and medical innovation.
Image Source - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Logo