15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Virginia
If you’re a high school student interested in medicine, consider a summer program. Medical summer programs for high school students can provide valuable opportunities to acquire practical skills, gain industry exposure, and establish professional connections, all without the high costs often associated with internships or college courses. These programs offer hands-on experiences in clinical and research settings, enabling you to explore diverse medical fields, including nursing, surgery, public health, and biomedical research.
If you’re based in Virginia and looking for a local program, you’re in luck. Whether you’re interested in patient care, medical technology, or healthcare policy, participating in structured medical summer programs for high school students can help you build a competitive college application and clarify your future career goals. Virginia hosts several top-tier programs run by universities, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations, many of which emphasize mentorship, collaboration, and community involvement.
In this blog, we’ve carefully created a list of 15 medical summer programs for high school students in Virginia that take place during the summer, including some virtual options to accommodate different needs.
15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Virginia
1. Pharmacy Summer Scholars
Location: VCU School of Pharmacy, MCV Campus, Richmond, VA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Approx. 30 students
Dates: July 7 – July 11
Application Deadline: Opens January 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 interested in pharmacy careers
VCU’s Pharmacy Summer Scholars is a one-week immersive program designed to introduce high school students to pharmacy as a healthcare profession. As a participant, you will meet with current pharmacy students, engage in hands-on activities like non-sterile compounding, and tour different pharmacy settings to understand diverse career pathways. The program emphasizes full attendance and commitment, providing a close look at the roles pharmacists play in patient care. Selection prioritizes applicants demonstrating a genuine interest in healthcare and pharmacy careers.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round (fall, summer, winter, spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships provides a structured virtual internship experience where you will collaborate on real projects with early-stage startups, particularly in health tech and biotech fields. Some of the work you do might include assisting with user research, market analysis, product development, or technical writing. During the program, you will be paired with a startup mentor and a Ladder Coach who will offer weekly guidance and professional skills training. The program concludes with a final project presentation, offering valuable industry exposure, mentorship, and portfolio-building opportunities in a flexible online setting.
3. Dental Careers Exploration
Location: VCU School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: November 18 – May 2
Eligibility: U.S. rising 10th graders to graduating 12th graders with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Dental Careers Exploration is a five-day summer program designed for Richmond-area high school students interested in dentistry. Through interactive workshops and lab activities, you will learn about the roles and educational requirements of dental hygienists, general dentists, and specialists. The program offers hands-on experiences such as tooth carving, dental impressions, suturing, and digital dentistry. Full attendance, including an orientation and closing event, is required.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medicine Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year (summer included)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a rigorous 12-week virtual research experience where you will work one-on-one with a Ph.D.-level mentor on an independent project in the medicine track or other scientific fields. The program emphasizes developing college-level research skills, including writing, data analysis, and critical thinking, supported by writing coaches and expert guidance. You will have the flexibility to choose your research topic across a wide range of disciplines, such as medicine, biology, data science, psychology, and more, culminating in a formal research paper suitable for publication. This program is ideal for students seeking a deep, self-driven inquiry into medical research.
5. High School Summer Veterinary Program – NSLC at Virginia Tech
Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Cost: $4,295; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions available (summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students interested in veterinary medicine and animal healthcare
The NSLC High School Summer Veterinary Program at Virginia Tech offers a nine-day immersive experience to explore veterinary medicine through hands-on workshops, expert lectures, and field trips. You’ll develop practical animal care skills, including examination and treatment methods, lab techniques, and compassionate communication. The program features tours that provide insight into behind-the-scenes operations in veterinary medicine, along with guest speakers from a variety of professional backgrounds. Living on campus in supervised dormitories, you’ll also build leadership skills through workshops on communication, resilience, and empathy. This residential program provides a comprehensive introduction to veterinary science and prepares you for future studies and careers in animal healthcare.
6. Student Learning & Internship Program
Location: Virginia Garcia Health Center
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 1 – January 30
Application Deadline: Rolling; Recommended to apply 2-3 months in advance
Eligibility: High school seniors or other students interested in healthcare careers; Spanish proficiency is a strong advantage, but not required
Virginia Garcia’s Student Learning & Internship program offers hands-on opportunities to shadow and interact with healthcare providers across multiple specialties, including pharmacy, family medicine, internal medicine, and the physician assistant fields. As a Student Learner, you may observe patient care and even assist in some clinical activities, gaining real-world exposure to healthcare settings. The program runs primarily from July through January, with student placements paired to providers at local clinics. Because of limited spots, early application is recommended. Proficiency in Spanish is a significant advantage, given the large Spanish-speaking patient population. You apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to the Student Learning Coordinator.
7. Community Health Sciences Academy: Summer Experience
Location: Virtual or in-person at Virginia Health Sciences
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Two-week summer workshop
Application Deadline: Varies by school district
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders interested in healthcare careers
The VHS Community Health Sciences Academy offers rising 10th graders a hands-on, two-week summer workshop to explore healthcare careers through practical skills and interactive activities. You will learn basic suturing techniques, work in a simulation center practicing bleeding control and splinting, and receive CPR and AED training. The program includes ultrasound imaging basics, where you get to use real technology, and sessions with standardized patients to practice taking vitals and patient interaction skills. This program provides a foundation in healthcare and helps students gain early exposure to clinical environments and patient care skills.
8. Improve Life PLLC – Pre-Health Profession Internship
Location: Reston, VA, and Ashburn, VA + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Flexible; Minimum commitment of 4 weeks at 5 hours/week or 8 weeks at 2.5 hours/week
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with a strong resume or college students interested in health and science
Improve Life PLLC offers a Pre-Health Profession Internship under the mentorship of Dr. Stephanie Waggel, focusing on healthcare fundamentals and career planning. Over approximately five hours per week, you’ll attend lectures on topics like medical ethics, mental health care, community medicine, and patient interaction. You will also assist in community health initiatives, medical research, and even marketing efforts. Exceptional interns might shadow patient appointments (with consent) and learn to take and interpret vital signs. The internship encourages involvement in community outreach, creative writing for promotional materials, and collaboration on special projects. Once you complete the program, you will be able to obtain a resume title and a letter of recommendation from Dr. Waggel.
9. Summer Teen Program
Location: UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, VA
Cost: None (uniform shirt purchase of $20 required)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Three 2-week sessions available during the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising sophomores or higher with a “B” average or above; Must provide immunization records and parental consent
The UVA Health Prince William Auxiliary offers a Summer Teen Volunteer Program designed to immerse high school students in a hospital environment through a two-week volunteer experience. You will be assigned to various service areas such as the emergency department, surgical services, physical therapy, registration, or guest services. The program includes an orientation covering patient confidentiality, infection control, and safety procedures. Upon completion, you will receive hands-on service, a uniform shirt and ID badge, and be eligible for a certificate. The program also provides scholarship opportunities and potential year-round volunteer options for eligible students.
10. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University and collaborating institutions, VA
Cost: $25 application fee; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students; Must be 15+ for remote/in-person computer labs and 16+ for wet-lab internships; Must not have graduated from college before or during internship
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers a full-time, immersive 8-week summer research experience where you work one-on-one with faculty mentors on cutting-edge STEM projects across diverse fields, including molecular medicine, bioengineering, environmental science, neuroscience, computer science, and more. As a participant, you will gain hands-on experience with sophisticated research tools, develop scientific communication skills, and engage with STEM professionals through forums and role-model meetings. You might also have your work published or presented at scientific conferences. The program requires a strong commitment but has no tuition cost beyond a modest application fee, making it accessible to motivated students seeking authentic research opportunities.
11. Mary Washington Healthcare Student Learning Programs
Location: Mary Washington Healthcare, Fredericksburg, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round with summer internship available; Internships typically last a semester; observation hours up to 20 hours
Application Deadline: Rolling; Dependent on program and department
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in CTE programs (for work-based learning), college students in accredited programs seeking clinical rotations, internships, or observation experiences
Mary Washington Healthcare offers experiential learning opportunities throughout the year for high school and college students interested in healthcare careers. Programs include clinical rotations, internships, and shadowing experiences that provide hands-on exposure to both clinical and non-clinical healthcare functions. High school students in career and technical education (CTE) can earn school credit through work-based learning rotations. You will develop professional skills, expand your network, and gain resume-building experience.
12. William & Mary: Pre-College Online Program – Infectious Diseases and Microbiology in Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year, including summer sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
This William & Mary Pre-College Online Program introduces you to the biological basis of infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites, emphasizing their impact on the human body and public health. You will explore how pathogens spread between hosts, study diseases like influenza, staph infections, and malaria, and understand the challenges of antibiotic resistance. The course highlights diagnostic methods physicians use and treatment planning, along with advances in microbiology, biotechnology, and gene therapy that are shaping modern medicine. Throughout the course, you will engage in video lectures, multimedia simulations, and curated assignments, all supported by mentor guidance. You’ll also participate in a final project that challenges you to create a detailed patient case file, integrating diagnosis, treatment, and public health considerations. After completing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from William & Mary.
13. Inova Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Summer Student Research Internship
Location: Inova, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 2-5 students each summer
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: November 1 – December 31
Eligibility: High school seniors through medical students (16+); Minimum 15-20 hours/week commitment
This internship offers you the opportunity to work closely with research staff and physician mentors on projects focused on advanced lung disease and lung transplantation. Alongside research, you may attend clinical and research conferences, observe patient visits and procedures, and participate in educational activities. The internship culminates in a PowerPoint presentation showcasing your project findings. Selection is through application and interview within a strict annual window.
14. VCU Acceleration (VCUA)
Location: VCU Monroe Park and VCU Health Campus, Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Early July – Early August; Academic year follows freshman year
Application Deadline: October 15 – May 1
Eligibility: High school seniors graduating in the current year and accepted or pending acceptance to VCU as incoming freshmen with a minimum GPA of 3.25; Commitment to summer session and on-campus residency during freshman year required
VCUA combines a four-week pre-matriculation summer session with a year-long academic and residential program designed for students interested in pre-health tracks such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and other health sciences. During the summer session, you will take non-credit math and science courses taught by VCU faculty, attend health career workshops, participate in hospital tours, and receive admissions advising. Summer housing is provided at no cost, and a modest stipend is offered.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend provided
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
JHIBS offers a five-week introduction to neuroscience research, delivered virtually through structured instruction and mentorship. You will learn foundational brain science concepts, practice data interpretation, and explore basic laboratory techniques through guided activities. The program features scientific lectures, small-group mentorship from Johns Hopkins researchers, and workshops on professional development and career pathways in neuroscience. Emphasis is placed on critical reading and research communication, helping you strengthen both scientific knowledge and transferable academic skills. If you complete the program successfully, you will receive a certificate of achievement.
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