15 Pre-Med Internships for High School Students
Pre-med internships for high school students are one of the most practical ways to experience what it’s like to work in healthcare and biomedical research. These programs place you in labs, clinics, and research institutions where you can shadow professionals, conduct experiments, and explore fields such as cancer biology, genetics, and medical technology. These internships help you build a stronger academic profile and see whether a future in medicine is the right fit for you.
Across the U.S., there are numerous opportunities designed to introduce high school students to the medical field. We’ve compiled 15 of the most reputable pre-med internships for high school students, which can help you gain early exposure to the medical sciences while learning from researchers and clinicians.
1. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at the City Of Hope Cancer Center
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: None | $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 4%; 82 students accepted out of ~2,100 applicants
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Open to high school students at least 16 years old by the internship start date, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy is a ten-week full-time research program that allows high school students to design and conduct their own biomedical research projects. You will work closely with City of Hope scientists and clinicians, contributing to ongoing cancer and genetics research while developing skills in experimental design, data interpretation, and lab techniques. The internship includes weekly seminars where you will present your progress and receive feedback, as well as workshops on scientific writing, poster design, and research ethics. You may even see your work contribute to published studies or patents, and the experience concludes with a presentation of findings.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program (up to 100% financial aid available) | None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program connects high school students to virtual, project-based internships with startups and nonprofits across diverse industries, including healthcare, biotechnology, and medical technology. Over eight weeks, you’ll contribute to real-world initiatives such as analyzing medical data, developing health tech tools, and designing solutions for community health issues. You’ll attend weekly meetings, work independently on projects, and conclude with a professional presentation to company stakeholders. Each intern is matched with both a company mentor and a Ladder Coach, ensuring consistent guidance and feedback throughout the program.
3. Science Enrichment Program (SEP) – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Cost/Stipend: None | $4,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: November 15 – August 26
Application deadline: September 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who have completed a full year of biology courses and are members of groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science
SEP at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center spans ten months, beginning with after-school classes from November through June that cover cancer biology, lab techniques, computational sciences, and professional development. Following this, you will participate in an eight-week mentored summer research internship, working directly on biomedical or computational projects in areas such as immunology, pharmacology, and genomics. You will be paired with a mentor and complete a self-directed project that contributes to ongoing research within the institution. The program includes assessments, including pre- and post-program quizzes, and culminates in a poster presentation.
4. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $1,250 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~24 students selected per year
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application deadline: Opens mid-December
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound
SMYSP is a tuition-free, five-week residential program at Stanford University designed for first-generation, low-income high school juniors from Northern California with an interest in medicine, health equity, and public health research. You will shadow medical professionals at Stanford Hospital, gaining direct exposure to healthcare delivery through laboratory work and patient observation. You will also complete a team-based public health research project addressing real-world disparities, such as racial inequities in healthcare or language barriers in hospitals. The internship includes academic seminars on anatomy and epidemiology, mentorship from Stanford faculty and medical students, and college readiness workshops that guide you through financial aid, essay writing, and admissions planning.
5. Brigham and Women's Hospital – Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP)
Location: BWH campus, MA
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive, 100 students
Dates: Year-round
Application deadline: Likely spring
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from partner Boston public high schools; list here
The Student Success Jobs Program is a year-round internship initiative for Boston high school students interested in medical, health, and science careers. You’ll work 7–10 hours a week within hospital departments, gaining real-world exposure to healthcare environments while being mentored by professionals from various medical disciplines. Besides hands-on work, you’ll also participate in seminars focused on public health, health equity, and workforce development, complemented by tutoring, SAT preparation, and college counseling. This internship also offers leadership opportunities through youth committees and public health projects that promote civic engagement and advocacy. You will be formally onboarded as a hospital employee, complete with an institutional ID and email.
6. Touro University California High School Summer Program
Location: Vallejo, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $600
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 9–July 18
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: To be eligible for this program, students must come from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background (see HCOP homepage), reside in a county north of San Francisco Bay (Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, San Joaquin), and be a high school junior or senior
Touro University California’s High School Summer Program is a six-week academic and experiential exploration of healthcare, designed to help you gain insight into medical and public health careers. You’ll engage in hands-on activities such as clinical simulations, medication compounding, and the “Food as Medicine” lab while also earning three college credits. This internship also includes CPR certification, public health simulations, and exposure to healthcare innovation and harm reduction strategies. Those who complete the program receive personalized mentoring and are eligible for a $1,000 annual scholarship toward Touro’s health profession degrees.
7. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
Cost/Stipend: Ranges from $1980 to $6380, depending on the cohort and duration of the sessions (financial aid is available) | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1 (In person): July 14 – 25 | Session 2 (Virtual): July 28 – August 8 Fall Intensive (Virtual): September 10 – November 12
Application deadline: Opens in November
Eligibility: High school students ages 16+
The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship introduces high school juniors, seniors, and early undergraduates to the medical field through hands-on simulations and guided learning experiences. Over several weeks, you will work alongside Stanford faculty, medical students, and residents, engaging in medical case studies, clinical visits, and dissections of organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. You’ll practice key clinical skills like suturing, taking patient histories, and recording vital signs while learning to make informed decisions under pressure. The program includes sessions with medical school admissions officers and visits to facilities such as the Stanford Life Flight emergency response station.
8. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $3,000 stipend for students demonstrating financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: Typically in early spring
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in select Northern California counties with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0; priority given to students with limited research experience
PIPS is a six-week, full-time summer research experience for high school juniors and seniors from select Northern California counties who are interested in pediatrics, child health, or disease biology. You will spend about 30 hours each week in Stanford research labs, collaborating with faculty and scientists on projects related to maternal and child health. You’ll also prepare a research poster and present your findings at the end of the program, gaining exposure to the full scientific process from data collection to presentation. This internship prioritizes those with limited research experience and from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
9. High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Cost/Stipend: None | $4,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 50 students
Dates: June 2 - July 25
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors from the Memphis-Shelby County area and surrounding counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas who are 16 years or older with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
The High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides you with a mentored research experience in a world-renowned pediatric medical setting. You will be paired with St. Jude scientists to work on projects in areas such as laboratory research, psychology, epidemiology, clinical science, or data science. In addition to conducting research, you’ll work with a science educator to reflect on broader questions about the role of science in society and develop a personal statement for college applications. The internship culminates in a public exhibition, where you’ll present your project and scientific poster to the community.
10. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco, and affiliated laboratories
Cost/Stipend: None | $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, 12 students
Dates: June 2 - August 29
Application deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 17 years old by the program's start.
The Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program, hosted at UCSF, gives high school students a comprehensive, eight-week opportunity to participate in biomedical research focused on rheumatology, immunology, and autoimmune diseases. You will be placed in laboratories or clinical research environments under the guidance of UCSF scientists and physicians, engaging in projects that may involve bench research, patient-oriented studies, or bioinformatics. Throughout the internship, you’ll collect and analyze data, contribute to ongoing research efforts, and summarize your work in both a poster presentation and a short written paper.
11. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, 13 students
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors | Over 16 years of age by June 30 | From underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds | GPA of 2.7+ | Completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
Project Success at Harvard Medical School is a seven-week paid summer internship that places high school students – particularly from Boston and Cambridge – in biomedical research laboratories affiliated with Harvard and its teaching hospitals. You will work on active research projects related to disease mechanisms, therapeutics, or public health challenges while gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques and data analysis. You will be paired with a scientific mentor who provides academic and career guidance throughout the internship. You’ll also attend weekly seminars on ethics, communication, and professional development, along with site visits to biotechnology firms and hospital research centers.
12. MD Anderson – Partnership for Careers in Cancer Science and Medicine
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Cost/Stipend: None | $6,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, by nomination only
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current high school seniors who are at least 18 years old by the program start date (applicants must be nominated by their school) | U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
The Partnership for Careers in Cancer Science and Medicine introduces high school students to research careers in oncology through hands-on experience. The program begins with HotStart, an orientation and training series led by postdoctoral fellows that covers lab safety, research ethics, and basic experimental techniques. You’ll then work on an independent research project under the guidance of an MD Anderson faculty mentor in areas such as basic science, computational biology, or epidemiological research. The program concludes with a formal research presentation at MD Anderson’s Summer Experience Final Event. Throughout the summer, you’ll attend seminars and workshops focused on communication skills, career development, and scientific writing.
13. Broad Scholars Summer Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None | $3600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors who are US citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with employment authorisation (i.e., DACA), attend a high school in MA within commuting distance to the Broad, and have earned a B or higher in science and math classes
The Broad Summer Scholars Program allows you to conduct six weeks of research at the Broad Institute, one of the world’s leading centers for biomedical innovation. As an intern, you will be paired with a scientist who mentors you through a research project in areas such as cancer biology, infectious diseases, computational biology, or psychiatric disorders. You’ll gain exposure to experimental and computational methods, attend seminars by Broad researchers, and participate in college and career preparation workshops. The program includes tutoring to help reinforce key scientific concepts and a stipend, along with transportation support. It concludes with a scientific poster session where you will present your work to the Broad community.
14. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: March 31
Application deadline: June 23–August 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering their senior year or final term after the summer with a strong science background
SHIP is an eight-week, full-time paid internship that introduces you to biomedical research through both structured training and mentored lab experience. The first two weeks focus on foundational lab skills such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and tissue culture, combined with safety training and discussions about ethics in science. You’ll then spend six weeks working alongside a mentor within a Fred Hutch research group, participating in projects and attending research seminars and lab meetings. The program emphasizes accessibility for students with limited prior research exposure and includes workshops on college readiness, data analysis, and science communication.
15. NIH STEP-UP Summer Research Program
Location: Countrywide placements
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks in summer (flexible, typically June–August)
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors ages 16+ | U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or legal permanent resident
The NIH STEP-UP provides high school juniors and seniors with hands-on biomedical research opportunities across the U.S. Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the program places you in eight-week summer research projects focused on fields such as endocrinology, nutrition, obesity, kidney and liver diseases, and metabolic disorders. You will be paired with a research mentor at a local university or medical institution to conduct original investigations. The program extends beyond the summer with a nine-month mentorship period, ensuring continued academic support. It concludes with a national research symposium where you will present your findings to peers and professionals.
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