15 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you’re a high schooler looking to explore medicine outside the school curriculum, consider a summer medical program! If you’re based in Texas, specifically, there’s plenty of options for you to choose from.
Summer medical programs for high school students offer an excellent way to gain early exposure to the healthcare field without committing to costly, long-term options. These programs often combine hands-on activities, lectures from medical professionals, and exposure to practical clinical or laboratory environments. In addition to practical skills—such as basic clinical techniques, research methods, or patient communication—you will benefit from networking opportunities with doctors, researchers, and peers.
The programs provide an insider’s look at what it’s like to study medicine or related fields, helping you make informed academic and career decisions. With options ranging from in-person labs and hospital rotations to virtual workshops and research projects, students can find programs that fit their schedules and learning preferences.
For this guide, we’ve narrowed the list down to the top 15 summer medical programs for high school students in Texas.
1. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
Location: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 23 – June 28
Application Deadline: Typically closes in May
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aspiring to pursue medical school
The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) offers a week-long introduction to medicine and professional development for motivated high school students. You will participate in sessions that enhance critical thinking, learning strategies, professionalism, and leadership. Mornings include shadowing opportunities at the University Medical Center of El Paso, while daily lectures cover topics such as medical school admissions, interview preparation, and clinical insights. You will also benefit from college planning resources and interactive workshops.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a competitive program that connects driven high school students with internships at high-growth start-ups. These companies span a wide range of fields, including technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting, among others, with many raising over a million dollars in funding. You will collaborate closely with your start-up managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach, contributing to meaningful, real-world projects. The experience culminates in a presentation of their work to the company, offering valuable professional exposure and skill development.
3. UT Austin’s High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $3,500 per student; Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Open to Texas residents aged 15 or older as of program start
HSRA offers you a genuine taste of STEM research. You will be placed in laboratories across a wide spectrum of fields, ranging from molecular biology and genomics to environmental science and computational modeling. In addition to research, you will attend weekly seminars on scientific topics and methods, and complete guided reflection assignments tied to research ethics and the scientific mindset.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Full financial aid is available!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive 12-week research experience designed for high school students. It offers individualized, 1-on-1 mentorship with Ph.D. scholars, allowing you to explore a wide range of fields, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, and engineering, among others. By the end of the program, you will have completed an independent research paper under expert guidance.
5. Houston Methodist’s Summer Internship Program for High Schoolers
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital campus in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None; Scholarships available to cover room and board
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications close in late January and early February
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program's start and maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA
This immersive eight-week program places academically exceptional students into real translational research labs. You will work alongside undergraduate interns and faculty mentors. You will receive training in laboratory techniques, lab-based problem-solving, and critical scientific investigation. The program emphasizes professional development, featuring sessions on scientific writing, college preparation, and research ethics. Throughout the summer, you will attend seminars and engage in community events. The program ends with you presenting a poster at a formal research symposium.
6. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $6,800 (or $6,120 if starting one week later)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Eligibility: High school seniors who are Texas residents and at least 18 years old by the program's start
Run jointly by the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, this program offers a highly regarded pathway for students eager to explore medical research. You will engage in a biomedical research project under the mentorship of an MD Anderson faculty member, gaining hands-on experience while focusing on the core principles of scientific inquiry. Only about 10 students are accepted annually. The program provides a great opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to the work and career path of a biomedical researcher before entering college.
7. The BEAT Academy at UT Health San Antonio
Location: UT Health Lozano Long Campus, San Antonio, TX
Cost: $1,000; $50 non-refundable application fee; $950 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 14 – July 18
Application Deadline: June 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply
BEAT Academy is a dynamic, one-week biomedical science immersion designed to enrich students' understanding of health professions and research. You will participate in lab sessions covering anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, aging, and neurodegeneration. The program offers exclusive experiences such as behind-the-scenes access to the human anatomy lab, simulated patient interactions, and exposure to state-of-the-art biomolecular technology. You will also benefit from seminars led by medical and biomedical faculty, as well as a college preparation session focused on career direction and academic strategy.
8. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Eligibility: Open to Texas high school seniors who are 18 years or older by the start of the program
The DACCPM Summer Research Program immerses participants in cutting-edge biomedical research within the field of anesthesiology and critical care. Over the course of ten weeks, you will be matched with faculty mentors and take part in a “Cancer Biology boot camp” before joining labs to conduct research. Training includes lab safety, literature review techniques, and data analysis. You will also participate in professional development seminars covering graduate school and career paths. The program culminates in a poster symposium and the publication of student abstracts in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.
9. Baylor College of Medicine’s Saturday Morning Science (SMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend might be provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 11 – August 4
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: All applicants must be 18 or older by the start of the program; Some projects may be available for 16 and 17-year-old students
The SMS Summer Research Program offers high school students a chance to engage in medical research while working alongside Baylor College of Medicine faculty mentors. Over the course of eight weeks, you will dedicate 40 hours each week to a research project, gaining valuable skills and real-world experience. The program also features weekly “Lunch and Learn” sessions focused on research insights and professional growth. You will take part in lab meetings and specialized seminars related to your research group’s work. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of your findings at the SMS Summer Research Symposium.
10. UT Austin Dell Medical School – Health Sciences Summer Camp
Location: UT Austin campus in Central Texas
Cost/Stipend: June Camp: US $500 | GEAR UP Residential Camp: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June Camp: June 16 – June 20 | GEAR UP Camp: July 7 – July 11
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 – 11
This week-long day camp invites students into authentic medical training environments at Dell Medical School. You will engage in clinical simulations—such as drawing blood, taking vital signs, and performing intubations—while also participating in lab-based activities that explore how technology enhances medicine. Additionally, you can earn first aid or CPR/AED certification and interact with healthcare professionals and counselors throughout the experience. After completing the camp, students are eligible to continue their involvement year-round through the Health Sciences Yearlong Academy.
11. Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in healthcare and prior coding experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Veritas AI, created and led by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for motivated high school learners. In its AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you will explore how artificial intelligence is applied within healthcare and the medical field. You will work on practical projects using AI and machine learning models to diagnose illnesses, enhance the quality of medical imaging, and generate explanations that support both doctors and patients in understanding results.
12. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Stipend: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: Past application deadlines fell around mid-February
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 17 years old by the program’s start
The Clark Scholars Program invites promising high school students to dive into research alongside Texas Tech faculty in fields spanning from computer science and physiology to economics and humanities. You will engage one-on-one with mentors, gaining practical laboratory or departmental experience over a seven-week summer. The program includes weekly seminars, group discussions, and even field visits to deepen your understanding and broaden your perspective. You will live on campus, join weekend enrichment activities, and wrap up your experience by crafting a research report and presenting findings, developing both your academic and presentation skills.
13. Baylor College of Medicine - DocPrep Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: The program runs for one week in the summer; specific dates vary annually (typically around late June)
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in March through affiliated schools. Exact deadline dates should be confirmed with school coordinators.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The DocPrep Program offers a dynamic, week-long academic enrichment experience designed to prepare students for health professions. You will engage in medical lectures, simulation lab exercises, and communication training led by Rice University graduate students, and receive counseling on both college and medical school planning. You will interact with Baylor medical students, faculty, and staff, who serve as counselors throughout the program. Activities include hands-on clinical simulations—like suturing, CPR, vital sign checks, and intubation—as well as exposure to medical professionals sharing their career journeys.
14. Rice University - Digital Health Young Scholars Program
Location: Rice University’s campus in Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 9 – June 26
Application Deadline: Applications generally open in early February, with cohorts announced by mid-May
Eligibility: High school students in 10th and 11th grades
The Digital Health Young Scholars Program provides a rich introduction to engineering research and its healthcare applications. Under the PATHS-UP initiative, you will work closely with Rice faculty, graduate students, and Houston-area educators to bridge theory and practice. Engaging in hands-on work with tools such as pulse oximeters, GPS modules, accelerometers, speakers, and microphones, participants build prototype digital health devices and learn fundamentals of digital circuitry, programming, and hardware design.
15. Stanford University - Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850, with an additional $40 application fee; Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25 students per year
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 9 – 12 who will be 14 years or older at the program’s start
The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week online program exploring the intersection of AI and healthcare. You will attend live lectures covering core AI concepts and their medical applications, collaborate on team-based research projects analyzing medical data, and receive mentorship from Stanford faculty and graduate researchers. Career growth is fostered through “Lunch & Learn” sessions with professionals across sectors.
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