15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in North Carolina
If you’re a high schooler interested in medicine, consider applying to a medical program in the summer!
Medical summer programs designed for high school students offer a valuable opportunity for you to gain practical skills, industry exposure, and meaningful connections in healthcare. If you’re interested in medicine and related fields, participating in these programs in the summer can provide hands-on experiences that strengthen college applications and clarify career goals.
If you’re based in North Carolina, you’re in luck! North Carolina hosts a variety of high-quality summer programs, including those affiliated with leading universities and healthcare organizations, offering a mix of in-person and virtual experiences. Whether you want to explore clinical work, research, or public health, these programs provide a solid foundation for your medical journey.
To help you navigate the options, we’ve compiled 15 medical summer programs for high school students in North Carolina.
15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in North Carolina
1. Wake Forest University Medicine Institute
Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,400; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens on November 1
Eligibility: Current 9th-12th grade students
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute offers high school students a hands-on introduction to healthcare careers. During the program, you will visit healthcare facilities such as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and tour the Wake Forest School of Medicine. You’ll also participate in simulation labs and practice clinical skills like blood pressure measurement, suturing, and ultrasound. Some of the topics covered during the week include internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, cancer care, and surgery. You’ll also engage with medical students and explore the latest medical technologies in labs and hospital settings. Finally, you’ll receive a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion upon finishing the program.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Approximately 19%
Dates: 8-16 weeks, Multiple cohorts offered year-round
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or gap year students able to commit 5-15 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a competitive virtual internship program founded by Harvard alumni. During the program, you will be connected with remote opportunities at startups and nonprofit organizations worldwide. Many partner startups are backed by Y Combinator and staffed by leaders from Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Internship fields include environmental science, health tech, nonprofits, mental health, software engineering, finance, AI, consulting, and journalism. As an intern, you’ll contribute to real projects, present your work, and develop skills in communication and time management. You’ll also participate in group sessions and receive mentorship from both a site manager and a Ladder coach.
3. Health and Exercise Science Institute
Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,400; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens on November 1
Eligibility: Current 9th-12th grade students
The Health and Exercise Science Institute at Wake Forest offers high school students hands-on experience in the health and exercise science fields. You will learn from faculty about body systems and use technology for health assessments, like blood pressure and electromyography (EMG). The program includes tours of on- and off-campus health and fitness facilities. You’ll participate in practical labs focused on heart rate, pulmonary testing, muscle function, and cardio-respiratory evaluation. Topics covered include cardiovascular and pulmonary health, muscle function, physical therapy, rehabilitation, strength conditioning, and sports nutrition. You will receive a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion upon finishing the program.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Medicine Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by cohort; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Vary by cohort; Multiple in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate high academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a rigorous, personalized research experience tailored to high school students interested in medicine and related fields. You will work one-on-one with Ph.D.-level mentors to develop an independent research project and complete a formal research paper by the end of the 12-week program. Research topics span a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. The program’s remote format allows you to participate from anywhere, with full financial aid available to support eligible students.
5. Cancer: An Inside Look at Caring, Curing, and Treating
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies based on session
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
This online course offers a comprehensive look into oncology by following a patient’s journey through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. During the program, you will explore cancer biology, genetics, and the transformation of cells from benign to malignant. The course covers clinical diagnostics, such as skin lesion identification and cancer staging, and treatment approaches, including targeted radiation and minimally invasive techniques at the Gamma Knife Center. You will also learn about the emotional impacts on patients and families, and alternative therapies like acupuncture and meditation.
6. Outset Medical Summer Program
Location: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: $2,950; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students interested in medicine and pre-med careers
Outset is a one-week immersive medical summer program conducted on a college campus, offering participants opportunities to experience campus amenities, dine in dining halls, and engage in classroom-based learning. Guided by physicians, faculty, and M.D. students, you will gain hands-on medical skills and insight into various healthcare professions. The curriculum is designed to prepare you for the pre-med path with confidence-building instruction and exposure to diverse medical specialties, including family medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, surgery, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and more. Beyond academics, Outset offers fun social activities like games and outings to foster lifelong friendships and make your summer memorable.
7. Health Careers Academy
Location: Virtual and with UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Spring semester with optional Summer Camp in late June/early July
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors residing in specified WNC counties; Minimum weighted GPA of 3.2; Interest in healthcare careers
The Health Careers Academy is a free enrichment program for high-achieving students in Western North Carolina interested in healthcare professions. During the spring semester, you will participate in virtual and in-person sessions, including tours of the MAHEC Simulation Center, 1:1 career advising, and networking with MAHEC faculty and students. You will gain insights into various health careers such as physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and more. Upon successful completion of the Academy, you will receive priority consideration for the Health Careers Summer Camp at UNC Asheville. This program aims to prepare you for academic and professional success in the health field.
8. UNC School of Medicine’s Internship in Science, Health Training, and Research (ISHTaR)
Location: UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Emergency Medicine, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective; cohort size of 3 interns each summer
Dates: Summer program with flexible dates
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 24
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors (16+) at a North Carolina high school; Minimum recommended GPA of 2.75
The ISHTaR internship provides hands-on experience in research and clinical medicine within UNC’s Department of Emergency Medicine. As an intern, you will work on projects that involve creating health communication materials, developing educational tools, and reviewing emergency medicine literature. The program also includes shadowing opportunities with EMS paramedics and clinicians in clinics and hospitals. Throughout the internship, you’ll build mentoring relationships, engage in team activities, and participate in a healthcare-focused book club, gaining insights into diverse medical careers.
9. Bridges to Healthcare Paid Internship
Location: Partnering with high schools and community colleges, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Year-round, including summer (tentative)
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring
Eligibility: High school students; Specifics vary by phase
The Bridges to Healthcare internship program offers high school students and recent graduates valuable early exposure to both clinical and non-clinical healthcare careers. Phase I offers paid internships introducing students to various healthcare roles, while Phase II delivers educational assistance to graduates pursuing healthcare degrees at community colleges. The program is designed to close the healthcare skills gap through hands-on learning and real-world project experience within Novant Health.
10. Women’s Medicine: An Inside Look at Treatment, Intervention, and Surgery
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 2- and 4-week sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
This online course offers a comprehensive examination of women's health, highlighting how medical conditions and treatments can vary between women and men. You will learn about female anatomy, contraception methods, prenatal care, and surgeries specific to women, such as ovarian torsion repair. The program covers critical topics like menstruation, birth control, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, and preventative health needs. It also highlights the growing role of women practitioners in healthcare. Designed for students interested in medicine and healthcare, the course offers foundational knowledge for careers in general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, and fertility. You will receive a Certificate of Completion from Wake Forest University upon finishing the course.
11. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC (in-person)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 16 – February 9
Eligibility: U.S. current high school sophomores or juniors (16+) attending public/charter high schools in Durham, NC; Seniors not attending college in the fall
DUNE offers a full-time summer research internship in cutting-edge neuroscience labs at Duke University. You will be matched with a lab based on your interests and work on a research project under individualized mentorship from professional scientists. The program includes workshops to develop scientific communication skills, explore academic and medical career options, and receive college application guidance. You will join a supportive community of peers and mentors and present your research at the end of the program. DUNE encourages students from all backgrounds, including those without prior research experience, to apply.
12. Sports Medicine: An Inside Look at the Major Injuries & Treatments
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
This online course explores the field of sports medicine through three common injuries: ACL tears, shoulder dislocations, and concussions. During the program, you will study the anatomy involved, diagnostic and surgical procedures, and rehabilitation methods. You will learn through case studies of injuries sustained by professional athletes, which will offer insights into treatment and recovery outcomes. You will also complete a final capstone project by diagnosing and recommending a treatment plan for a chosen patient. The program includes personalized mentoring, flexible online learning, and interactive multimedia simulations, designed to prepare you for procedures like orthopedic surgery or athletic training.
13. Health Careers Summer Camp
Location: University of North Carolina at Asheville and the MAHEC campus, Asheville, NC
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from rural Western North Carolina high schools; Minimum weighted GPA of 3.0; Strong interest in healthcare careers
This unique 4-day, 3-night residential summer camp is designed for rural high school students interested in exploring healthcare careers. You will stay overnight in dorms at UNCA and engage in hands-on health science activities on both the UNCA and MAHEC campuses. The program features practical healthcare experiences and a team-building activity at the Adventure Center of Asheville’s ropes course. It aims to inspire and prepare rural students for future health professions through immersive learning and community building.
14. Project PROMISE Workshops
Location: Various rural Western North Carolina high schools
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Offered throughout the school year; Summer workshops also available
Application Deadline: Varies by school and workshop
Eligibility: High school students in rural Western North Carolina counties interested in healthcare careers
Project PROMISE offers hands-on, healthcare-focused workshops led by healthcare professionals and medical students, in partnership with local teachers and CTE coordinators. The workshops cover a variety of essential clinical skills, including basic suturing with simulated skin models, vital signs measurement, blood typing with kits, patient history taking and clinical reasoning, point-of-care ultrasound demonstrations and practice, and fetal pig dissection to explore anatomy. These workshops aim to give you practical exposure to healthcare tasks and deepen your understanding of medical sciences in rural settings.
15. Duke Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: December – February 16
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (16+) in North Carolina high schools; Priority given to Durham Public School students; First-generation and economically disadvantaged students encouraged to apply
DukeREP is a 7-week summer research program hosted by Duke’s Biomedical Engineering Department for high school students interested in science and engineering. You will work on cutting-edge research projects in Duke BME labs, gaining hands-on experience in engineering and STEM fields. The program includes weekly social activities, seminars on professional skills and college advising, and talks by faculty and industry professionals. The program aims to promote STEM education and diversity by welcoming students from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented communities in North Carolina.
Image Source - Wake Forest University Logo