15 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Los Angeles
If you’re a high school student curious about medicine or healthcare, summer is one of the best times to explore your interests outside the classroom. Summer medical programs give you hands-on experience, exposure to different career paths, and the chance to start building skills that will serve you well in college and beyond.
Choosing a local program also has its advantages—it saves you the expense of travel and housing while giving you access to high-quality opportunities nearby. In Los Angeles, you’re surrounded by top hospitals, universities, and research institutes, including the Los Angeles General Medical Center and California State University, that open their doors to motivated students like you.
These programs can put you in real labs and hospital settings where you’ll practice clinical techniques, explore biomedical research, or volunteer alongside healthcare professionals. Some even include virtual options, giving you flexibility if you want to participate from home.
Here is a list of 15 summer medical programs for high school students in Los Angeles. They also include a few virtual options that allow students in Los Angeles to apply.
15 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Los Angeles
1. Cedars-Sinai High School Student Volunteers
Location: Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Dates: June 16 – July 20 (Summer); Winter, Spring, and Fall sessions also available
Application Deadline: Varies as per session; Summer: April 4
Eligibility: High school student volunteers must be 14–18 years old and enrolled in high school | Minimum 3.2 GPA
The Cedars-Sinai Teen Volunteer Program allows you to spend time in a hospital and learn how it functions. You will interact with patients, develop an empathetic bedside manner, adhere to hospital safety protocols, and collaborate with others as part of a team. You may help move patients from one place to another, give support in the office, and guide visitors. By doing this, you will not only understand how a hospital operates, but also develop valuable skills such as communication, empathy, responsibility, and teamwork. The program has three sessions during the year, including one in summer, and each lasts about 8 to 10 weeks.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available) / None
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer cohorts. Summer Cohort I: 8 weeks from June 2 | Summer Cohort II: 8 weeks from July 14
Application Deadline: Summer Cohort I: May 11 | Summer Cohort II: June 23
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships offers an 8-week remote program tailored for high school students interested in engineering and technology. It will match you with fast-growing startups where you will get to work on meaningful projects in areas like software engineering, AI, machine learning, and health tech. Throughout the internship, you will regularly connect with mentors from their companies, learning to use industry tools and navigate professional workflows. The program also features an exclusive CEO Internship option, providing the chance to collaborate directly with founders from leading tech companies and top universities. You will typically dedicate 5 to 10 hours per week to work and receive a formal letter of completion from the host company at the end.
3. INSPIRE Internships at Cedars-Sinai
Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 6-10 weeks between late June and early August
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: Must be in high school for the current academic year | At least 16 years old prior to the program's start
The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center offers a summer internship program for high school students called Inspiring New Scientists through Professional Internships and Research Experience (INSPIRE). This program helps you learn about biomedical research and explore careers in healthcare. You will work on cutting-edge projects, attend skill-building workshops, participate in networking events, and develop presentation and scientific writing skills. As an intern, you will get hands-on training in the research process, lab work, data collection, data analysis, and reviewing scientific papers. You will also join workshops where you practice new skills, meet professionals, and learn about different career paths in healthcare and science.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: The summer cohorts (I and II) typically runs for 12 weeks from June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Summer I and II cohort deadlines are May 11 and June 2 respectively
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research experience designed specifically for high school students. In this program, you will be matched one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors to guide you through an independent research project. Throughout the program, you will develop a comprehensive research paper based on your chosen topic. The program offers a wide array of subjects to explore, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This opportunity allows high schoolers to dive deeply into a field of interest while receiving expert mentorship. Additional details about the application process are available online.
5. Turner-UCLA Allied Health Internship
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: None
Dates: One week during the summer between late June and August
Application Deadline: Typically mid-March
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
The Turner UCLA Allied Health Internship is a one-week summer program that helps you learn about healthcare jobs outside of medical school. You will spend time with professionals in areas like radiology, respiratory therapy, and medical assisting to see what their daily work is like. You will practice patient care skills, learn medical terms, and understand how different roles in healthcare support patients and the hospital. This program prioritises high school students from underrepresented communities in Los Angeles who want to explore health careers. You will develop valuable skills including direct clinical exposure and hands-on experience in allied health professions.
6. COPE Health Scholars’ The Junior Health Scholar Program
Location: Many centers in Los Angeles, California
Cost: $325 - $595 depending on duration, along with an application fee of $21
Dates: Varies depending on the location. 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month program options are available
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in or accepted in a high school | Between 16 and 17 years old by the application deadline
The Junior Health Scholar program allows high school students to shadow a Health Scholar or work on their own in a patient care setting, depending on the site. You will watch how care teams and administrative staff work together and determine whether a healthcare career is right for you. You will also observe patient care in different clinical settings, learn about healthcare career paths, and build connections with staff and Health Scholars. After finishing the program, you will receive a certificate from Keck Graduate Institute, part of The Claremont Colleges. You can join at locations in Los Angeles East and Los Angeles South.
7. Mary S. Easton Center at UCLA – Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA (in-person), and Remote
Cost: None
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program is a 6-week summer program for high school juniors and seniors who want to learn about the brain and Alzheimer’s disease. You will practice brain-cutting, learn how clinical trials are planned, do data entry, and use basic statistics. You will also read and review research papers, make research presentations, and take part in community outreach. The program will provide mentors who will guide you and show you how to start an Alzheimer’s Awareness Club at your school. You will meet students from different high schools, exchange ideas, access materials, and develop leadership skills.
8. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles High School Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–17 by the program start date
In the Summer Volunteer Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, high school students help with hospital work and patient care. You will support patients and families by walking them to appointments, welcoming visitors, and helping with office tasks in diverse hospital departments. You have to volunteer 15 hours each week, either by working two full days or four half days on campus. Only 20 students are chosen each year, and the program is unpaid. You will develop communication, teamwork, and service skills while gaining real experience in a hospital setting.
9. UCLA Health Volunteer Summer Program
Location: UCLA Health facilities, primarily in Westwood, Los Angeles
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Dates: Participants must complete 50 volunteer hours by August 31
Application Deadline: No deadline; registration happens on a first come, first served basis
Eligibility: At least 16 years old at the time of registration
The UCLA Health Volunteer Summer Program allows participants to spend time in a hospital setting while assisting with various activities. You may help move patients, guide visitors, make deliveries, and support the discharge process. The program emphasizes practicing communication skills, learning how to interact compassionately with patients, and understanding hospital routines. Additionally, you develop professional behavior and learn how to handle pressure in a clinical environment. The program requires a minimum commitment of 50 volunteer hours and offers flexible scheduling options. There is also an online volunteer option available, and early application is encouraged due to limited spots.
10. Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Kaiser Permanente, West Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Dates: Varies based on placement and department availability, with flexible scheduling
Application Deadline: Open enrollment; no strict deadline but early application is advised
Eligibility: At least 15 and a half years old, work one 4-hour shift each week, and complete at least 200 hours in one year
The Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Volunteer Opportunities for high school students is a program designed to engage youth aged 15 ½ and older in meaningful community service while exposing them to healthcare careers. The program covers topics such as professional behavior, community leadership, and the healthcare environment. You participate in activities like assisting members, visitors, and staff, supporting various hospital departments, and gaining hands-on experience tailored to your skills and interests. Unique features include tailored placements after onboarding, a commitment to a weekly 4-hour shift over approximately one year. You will learn valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and responsibility.
11. CAMP CHLA – Health Care Career Exploration
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None
Dates: June 16 – 20 | July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current high school freshman, sophomore, or junior living in Los Angeles County | Students who have already attended Camp CHLA cannot apply again.
CAMP CHLA is a five-day summer program for high school students in Los Angeles County who want to learn about healthcare careers. It takes place twice each summer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The program offers the chance to see firsthand the lifesaving work happening inside a hospital, providing real-life exposure to various healthcare roles. You will listen to talks from healthcare professionals about their work and career paths. You will also practice CPR, first aid, and safe body movement while learning how to promote health and prevent injuries. The program will deepen your knowledge of healthcare careers and strengthen your college applications.
12. Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current junior at a public high school in Los Angeles County Legally able to work in California |
This yearlong program combines research training with college counseling. In the summer, you will work full-time in a lab at The Saban Research Institute, where you will conduct experiments and learn research skills with the help of scientist mentors. You will also take biology classes, prepare for the SAT, and join workshops on college applications. This program is meant to give students with fewer opportunities a clear path to careers in science and medicine. If you are accepted, you must attend the full summer program and not participate in other summer programs concurrently. The program also gives you college counseling during your senior year to help you through the admissions process.
13. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope Center, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / $4,500
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy is a biomedical research program for high school students. In this program, you will design and work on your own research project with support from City of Hope faculty. You will also learn from postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and lab staff at the Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences. Each week, you will join seminars where you present your research progress to other students and instructors. At the end of the program, you will write a report highlighting your project and findings.
14. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Dates: 5 weeks between July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors in the U.S. or Canada
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a summer research program designed for high school students interested in brain science. The program is available in two formats: a 5-week virtual experience and an 8-week in-person experience. The virtual track includes lessons, mentorship sessions, and professional development training where you learn to read and analyze neuroscience research papers, collect and interpret neurological data, and explore basic lab techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy. You also gain experience with data entry, statistical software, and the clinical aspects of brain disorders. At the end, you will receive a certificate of completion and an opportunity to present your research findings.
15. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid available for both application and program fees) / None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering 9-12 grade in the fall | Age 14+ by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual two-week program designed to introduce high school students to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Throughout the program, you attend technical lectures on AI fundamentals and their applications in medicine, engage in daily mentoring, and collaborate on research projects. The internship features guest speakers from academia, industry, and government who share insights on emerging medical technologies. Career-oriented “Lunch and Learn” sessions provide guidance on career paths that intersect technology and healthcare. After completing the core program, you have the option to extend your involvement with additional research opportunities. Upon successful completion, you receive a Certificate of Completion.
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