15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student interested in medicine, a summer program can be a great way to explore the field before college. These opportunities let you step into labs, clinics, and research settings, where you can build skills, connect with mentors, and see what careers in healthcare look like. They can also strengthen your college applications by showing your commitment to medicine and science. With top universities, hospitals, and research institutions across the state, California has a range of medical summer programs for high schoolers, from research opportunities to experiences in public health, biotechnology, and clinical environments.
Here are 15 medical summer programs for high school students in California worth checking out.
15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in California
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (can be waived). Minimum stipend of $500; $2,500 and above given on a need-based system
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 50 students are accepted
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are 16 years or older and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SIMR is a medical summer program that allows you to conduct full-time lab research under the guidance of a one-on-one mentor. Throughout the program, you’ll be exposed to scientific practices, from lab safety to research communication. You'll also attend regular lectures during the first few weeks and participate in a poster session at the end of the program to present your findings to peers and faculty. The program allows you to choose from one of eight research areas, including bioengineering, cancer biology, and neuroscience.
2. Ladder's Medical Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5–15 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers a remote, project-based internship experience where you’re matched with a global startup or nonprofit aligned with your interests. You’ll work on deliverables that contribute directly to your host organization’s goals, whether that’s a mental health platform or a health tech company. Alongside your internship work, you’ll receive mentorship from a company manager and a dedicated Ladder coach. Weekly group sessions help build transferable skills in communication, time management, and professional collaboration. You’ll also prepare and deliver a final presentation summarizing your contributions.
3. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: Several sites across the San Francisco Bay Area
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <10%
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who have completed at least one year of math and biology, are at least 16 years old, and come from an underrepresented background
This medical summer program places you in a research setting, where you'll work one-on-one with a mentor on a clinical, laboratory, or public health research project. It’s designed to offer exposure to biomedical research, so you’ll engage with weekly seminars led by physicians and researchers from UCSF and regional institutions. You'll participate in journal clubs, write research abstracts and proposals, and develop a final presentation for a symposium attended by the scientific community, as well as experience training, simulations, and networking opportunities. The projects vary depending on your assigned mentor, giving you the chance to explore different aspects of the healthcare field.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students. A GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale is recommended
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a virtual, individualized research experience lasting between 12 and 20 weeks. It allows you to explore topics like neuroscience, epidemiology, or biomedical sciences through a self-directed project. You’ll be paired one-on-one with a PhD researcher who guides you through the full research process, from refining your topic to writing a formal research paper. The program emphasizes independent thinking and academic rigor.
5. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship
Location: Virtual/on-campus at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $95 application fee + $6,380 (on campus)/$4,380(virtual). Fee waivers are available on a first-come, first-served basis
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 30–50 students are accepted
Dates: Session 1 (In person): July 14 – 25; Session 2 (Virtual): July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 years or older by the start of the program. Applicants are recommended to complete a high school biology course
The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship gives you a look into clinical practice through training, guided dissections, and live instruction led by faculty and med students. Offered in multiple formats, this program can adapt to your schedule and preferred learning environment. You'll practice clinical skills like suturing, taking vital signs, and working through trauma scenarios, all under professional supervision. Whether on campus or remote, you’ll dissect human organs using supplied materials and participate in live lectures and simulations.
6. Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Student Research Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students are accepted
Dates: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old with interest in genomics or mHealth translational research
The SRTI Student Research Internship Program offers the opportunity to explore translational medical research through exposure to data, mobile health technologies, and research methods. You'll work closely with a mentor to develop and complete an independent research project that explores genomics, digital health monitoring, or clinical trial design. Weekly seminars will supplement your research, covering topics such as genetic traits and the use of wearable devices in medicine. You’ll be expected to write a proposal, present your findings in a formal research meeting, and showcase your work in a final poster symposium.
7. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual/in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Virtual: $1,595; in-person: $2,895 (financial assistance is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~12%
Dates: Virtual session: June 16 – 27; in-person session I: July 7 – 18; In-person session II: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Students completing their sophomore, junior, or senior year
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a medical summer program focused on psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience. You’ll attend interactive seminars with Stanford faculty, covering topics such as neuroimaging, behavioral science, addiction, and psychiatric intervention. The program emphasizes both scientific inquiry and social relevance, so expect to explore complex subjects like trauma, eating disorders, and mental health stigma. You'll also work on a capstone project that proposes a creative solution to an issue in mental or behavioral health.
8. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Stipend: Most students receive a stipend of $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~9%
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed high school courses in chemistry and biology, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy places you directly into the world of biomedical research for ten weeks, where you’ll design and carry out your own lab-based project. As part of a research team at City of Hope, you'll receive guidance from faculty scientists and work closely with postdocs and graduate students on a topic you choose. Each week includes seminars on topics ranging from DNA repair to biomedical ethics, as well as support in scientific writing and presentation. You’ll present your work in weekly peer meetings and at a poster session attended by researchers and clinicians.
9. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students are accepted
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: First-generation and low-income high school juniors in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is an academic enrichment experience designed to immerse you in health science, clinical observation, and public health research. You'll be placed in hospital internships at Stanford Hospital, where you’ll shadow professionals, observe patient care, and participate in departmental activities. Outside the clinic, you’ll collaborate on a public health disparities research project, producing a paper, presentation, and academic poster on an issue like maternal health or healthcare access. Throughout the program, you’ll receive one-on-one and group support from Stanford faculty, healthcare professionals, and college students.
10. BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Rising juniors (with the intent to mentor a rising junior the next year)
At the UCLA BrainSPORT Summer Research Internship, you'll explore the intersection of neuroscience, sports medicine, and brain injury. This program places you alongside scientists, clinicians, and medical students studying brain injury and concussion recovery in youth. You'll assist with data collection, research protocols, and patient recruitment for projects like CARE4Kids, a major study examining persistent post-concussion symptoms. In addition to lab work, you'll attend weekly research meetings, lectures, and discussions with experts in neurology and neuroimaging. The program also includes a final research presentation where you'll share findings on a topic of interest.
11. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee + $850 (fee waivers and scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 25 students are accepted
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28 (February 21 for fee waivers and scholarships)
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14 with strong math and/or computer programming skills or previous experience with a healthcare project
This program introduces you to the technical and clinical foundations of AI, with lectures, mentorship, and project work guided by Stanford researchers and students. You’ll participate in group sessions, develop research ideas, and engage in discussions with professionals from across sectors, including academia and industry. The program also includes social activities and career-focused “Lunch and Learn” events to broaden your understanding of where AI and medicine intersect.
12. Rady Children’s Summer Medical Academy
Location: Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA
Cost: $3,000 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is not available
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students interested in healthcare careers
The Summer Medical Academy is a two-week, in-person program designed to immerse you in healthcare through experiences, clinical simulations, and workshops. Hosted by Rady Children’s Hospital, this program introduces you to pediatrics, surgery, nursing, and emergency medicine. In addition to lectures and skills labs, you’ll participate in medical ethics discussions, public health modules, and team-based projects that simulate clinical decision-making.
13. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; transportation costs may be covered in extenuating cases
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 20 students are accepted
Dates: June 15 – August 6
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older
The STaRS Summer Program offers a full-time research experience where you'll contribute to ongoing biomedical projects in Stanford's Jill Helms Laboratory. Over seven weeks, you'll work with lab techniques in imaging, histology, and tissue analysis while learning how research informs clinical applications in reconstructive surgery and regenerative medicine. The program also includes a structured curriculum of workshops on topics like immunohistochemistry, scientific communication, and navigating STEM academic paths.
14. OPTIMUS (Outreach Program To Inspire Minority and Underrepresented Students)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Stipend: A stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: Exact dates are unavailable
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who live in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss High Schools. Students must have minority/underrepresented status
The OPTIMUS Outreach Program is an eight-week program that combines lab-based research with clinical exposure in oncology. You’ll work in active research labs, shadow doctors in clinics, and gain technical skills such as suturing, while learning from medical students, grad students, and clinical faculty. Through lectures, guided research, and shadowing, you'll develop an understanding of cancer biology and its applications.
15. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students are accepted
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old; minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA; more requirements are on the website
The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS) is an eight-week medical summer program for students interested in computational genetics and biomedical research. You’ll be matched with an active research lab where you’ll conduct genomics research under the guidance of a lab mentor. Beyond the lab, the program includes weekly cohort sessions, seminars on career paths in biomedical science, and regular mentor check-ins to keep you on track.
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