14 Winter Medical Internships for Undergraduates
If you're an undergraduate considering a future in medicine, internships are one of the most effective ways to gain early exposure to the field. Medical internships allow you to develop professional skills, understand clinical and research environments, and build meaningful connections with physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals. Online medical internships, in particular, offer an accessible way to explore medicine, making them ideal for winter break.
Why should I do a winter medical internship in college?
A winter medical internship gives you early insight into the realities of medical careers. You get to work in a clinic or hospital where you can shadow professionals and observe patient care. Taking the time to do this over your winter break can make your medical school applications stand out by showing that you’ve developed skills in the field. These internships also allow you to build relationships with mentors who can provide guidance and letters of recommendation.
To help you identify the most valuable options, we’ve narrowed down our list of the top 14 winter medical internships for undergraduates. We have selected these internships from prestigious institutions, ensuring they have the rigor of professional experience and opportunities to network with professionals in healthcare and biomedical research.
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
1. SPRING Clinical Research
Location: SPRING Clinical Research, Houston
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2–5 interns per session
Dates: January – April
Application Deadline: Typically, late October through mid-November
Eligibility: Current undergraduate junior or senior, or a recent graduate majoring in Biology, Public Health, Nursing, or related Life Sciences
At SPRING Clinical Research, you participate in a four-month clinical research internship designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of clinical trials and pharmaceutical research. You gain hands-on exposure to multiple phases of clinical trials, including study design, participant recruitment, and data collection. Throughout the program, you will work alongside experienced project managers and coordinators, preparing study documentation and managing patient data using Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems. By the end of the internship, you will have built a foundational understanding of clinical research processes and gained practical experience relevant to medical school, PA programs, and future research opportunities.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Between 10–25%; 70–100 students per session
Dates: 8-week Winter cohort (exact dates vary by placement)
Application Deadline: Typically, November
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Through the Ladder University Internship Program, you are placed with a high-growth startup that aligns with your interests, including fields such as health tech, AI/ML, sustainability, consulting, and related industries. Throughout the program, you receive structured mentorship from both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder coach. You are expected to collaborate closely with professionals, contribute meaningfully to ongoing initiatives, and present your final work at the end of the internship. If you are interested in medicine, healthcare, or health technology, you can find relevant placements within the program’s diverse startup network. This internship emphasizes practical skill development, mentorship, and tangible outcomes rather than observational learning. Apply now!
3. CSTEP Program for Economically Disadvantaged Students
Location: SUNY College of Optometry, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 100–400 students per institution
Dates: January 5–16
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-November
Eligibility: New York State residents who are 18 years or older, full-time college or graduate students, and meet New York State economic disadvantage criteria
Through the CSTEP Winter Internship Program at SUNY College of Optometry, you take part in a career-focused experience designed to support economically disadvantaged students interested in health and STEM professions. You will be introduced to the field of optometry through academic enrichment, career counseling, and exposure to professional pathways. The program supports your preparation for professional and graduate school, including guidance on entrance exams such as the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). You also benefit from research exposure, skill-building workshops in science and mathematics, and structured academic support. Throughout the internship, you engage with faculty and staff who help you navigate licensure pathways and long-term career planning.
4. Winter Clinical & Public Health Micro-Internships — ProCES
Location: Remote (Princeton University–affiliated community partners)
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; up to 4 undergraduate placements
Dates: January (projects completed during Winter Break)
Application Deadline: November 17
Eligibility: Princeton undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents,
Through the NJ ACTS and ProCES Community Health Micro-Internships, you participate in a short-term, remote, and community-engaged public health project during winter break. You are matched with a New Jersey–based community organization working in population health, health communication, harm reduction, or public health education. Available projects include research on THC safety thresholds, rabies prevention education, harm reduction service evaluation, and health communication promoting community health workers. You work independently under guidance from NJ ACTS and ProCES staff, contributing to research synthesis, survey design, educational materials, or communication deliverables. You conclude the internship by submitting a final written report and project deliverables, with stipend payments tied to completion.
5. Biogen Co-op Program
Location: Cambridge, MA; Research Triangle Park, NC; South San Francisco, CA (Limited remote roles available)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies based on departmental business needs and available projects
Dates: January–June
Application Deadline: Typically, November
Eligibility: 18+ years old, authorized to work in the U.S., and currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program
In the Biogen Co-op Program, you will immerse yourself in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry over an intensive six-month period. You will explore critical topics like drug discovery, clinical development, manufacturing sciences, and commercial operations, depending on your specific department. During your co-op, you will design laboratory experiments, analyze data for research projects, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve operational processes. The program also provides an extended six-month timeline, allowing you to take full ownership of long-term business initiatives rather than just briefly shadowing. Through this experience, you will develop professional communication capabilities within a corporate healthcare environment.
6. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Independent Internships
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies based on department openings and direct faculty matching
Dates: Flexible durations running year-round, including Winter
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates 18 years or older; unpaid interns must be enrolled in a college course that grants academic credit for the internship
In the Cedars-Sinai Independent Internship program, you will be part of one of the nation's premier hospitals, exploring topics across clinical research, healthcare administration, and biomedical science. During your placement, you will assist faculty with advanced data analysis, observe clinical and administrative practices, prepare scientific project reports, and attend departmental meetings with medical professionals. The program encourages you to independently contact faculty members to pitch and design your very own customized internship experience. Ultimately, this self-driven opportunity provides you with a prestigious platform to actively build your professional network and prepare for your future medical career.
7. HRTP Public Health Internship Program
Location: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY
Stipend: Financial support available for most placements; unpaid volunteer option if funding is not available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: January – May
Application Deadline: November 15
Eligibility: Matriculated undergraduate, graduate, or professional students in good academic standing; NYC residency required for Winter/Spring session
Through the HRTP Public Health Internship Program, you work on current, real-world public health issues under the close supervision of experienced professionals at the NYC Health Department. You will apply classroom learning to practical public health challenges through a practicum in areas such as planning, research, administration, and evaluation. Throughout the internship, you develop critical public health competencies while gaining exposure to the needs and challenges of diverse urban populations. The program emphasizes mentorship and professional skill-building, helping you better understand career pathways within public health agencies. As a Winter/Spring intern, you participate in a part-time placement designed to fit alongside academic commitments.
8. Michigan Medicine Job Shadowing Program
Location: UM Health-Sparrow (Lansing, MI) and various Michigan Medicine community hospitals
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; individual placements
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates (15+ years old) exploring healthcare careers
The Michigan Medicine and UM Health-Sparrow Job Shadowing Program is a brief, intensive observational experience designed to help you explore different healthcare careers before committing to a specific clinical path. During this two-to-four-hour session, you will cover topics related to daily clinical practice, patient communication, and hospital operations. As a shadower, you will follow a healthcare professional during their shift, observe patient care, ask career-related questions, and network with medical staff. The program strictly integrates with the ACEMAPP system, which heavily streamlines your clinical onboarding and HIPAA compliance processing. Through this experience, you will learn professional workplace etiquette and basic clinical observation skills.
9. Boston Children's Hospital College Student Volunteer Program
Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies annually based on unit availability
Dates: Academic year (September to May)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in a college program, secure a professional reference, and clear all background and occupational health checks
The Boston Children's Hospital College Student Volunteer Program immerses you in a pediatric healthcare environment through weekly shifts during the academic year. You will explore topics related to pediatric patient care, family support, and hospital operations. As a volunteer, you will engage in play-based activities at patients' bedsides, assist staff with unit programming, organize playrooms, and wash toys to maintain infection control. The program follows a strict academic-year schedule, explicitly designed to run continuously from September to May to align with your college coursework. Through these experiences, you will develop highly practical skills in patient communication, healthcare compliance, and professional boundary-setting within a clinical setting.
10. Stanford Health Care Pre-Med Volunteer Program
Location: Stanford, CA (Stanford Hospital and affiliated clinics)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically, large cohort sizes
Dates: Year-round (requires a minimum 6-month continuous commitment)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Must be at least 18 for inpatient roles, commit to 1 shift per week (2-4 hours) for at least 6 months, and clear all background and health screenings
The Stanford Health Care volunteer program places you in a major hospital environment to gain firsthand exposure to patient care. During your six-month rotation, you will explore core topics including hospital operations, patient advocacy, and healthcare administration. As a volunteer, you will assist nursing staff on inpatient floors, guide patients and their families through the facility, and provide non-clinical comfort measures to individuals undergoing treatment. The program follows a long-term structure that requires a continuous weekly commitment, allowing you to deeply integrate into a specific hospital department. Ultimately, this experience provides you with a realistic, grounded understanding of the daily workflows within an academic medical center.
11. Johns Hopkins Hospital Clinical Volunteering
Location: Baltimore, MD (The Johns Hopkins Hospital)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 730+ volunteers accepted annually across the hospital
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Age 16 or older, able to commit to 4 hours per week for at least 6 months (100 hours total), must pass background and occupational health checks
In the Johns Hopkins Hospital Volunteer Program, you will support healthcare professionals and improve the daily patient experience in a world-renowned medical center. You will explore practical topics like patient relations, hospital operations, and compassionate care. As a volunteer, you will assist staff on patient care units, provide emotional support to families, answer unit phones, and guide visitors through the campus. The program focuses on active, hands-on service rather than passive medical shadowing, ensuring you genuinely contribute to the hospital's operations. This environment allows you to build a strong, service-oriented foundation for your future medical career.
12. Hunterdon Health Shadowing Program
Location: Hunterdon Health, Flemington, NJ
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; over 500 volunteers and students annually across various programs
Dates: December 10 – January 31
Application Deadline: November 29
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate college students; 16+
At Hunterdon Health, you can participate in a shadowing program that provides both clinical and non-clinical observational experiences. You will spend up to eight hours in a department, touring the facility, observing daily tasks, and meeting employees who can share insights about their roles. You can choose from various departments, including Inpatient and Outpatient Nursing, Physical/Occupational Therapy, Medical Imaging, Laboratory, Marketing and Public Relations, Home Health, Hunterdon Hospice, and Human Resources. This is a strictly observational program, so you won’t provide hands-on care or enter isolation rooms. By shadowing, you will gain a clearer understanding of healthcare career paths and the responsibilities of different professionals.
13. Podiatric Medicine Winter Internship (Temple University / TUSPM)
Location: Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $100 refundable deposit required upon acceptance, which is fully refunded upon the program’s completion / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 15–20 students
Dates: January 6–9
Application Deadline: November 21
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least 45 college credit hours and have not previously applied to a school of podiatric medicine
Through the TUSPM Winter Internship Program, you gain hands-on exposure to podiatric medicine through workshops, seminars, and clinical shadowing experiences. You attend structured sessions covering topics such as foot and ankle biomechanics, pathomechanics, podiatric specialties, and patient screening and evaluation. During the program, you will shadow podiatric physicians in hospitals, private practices, and outpatient clinic settings, observing a range of clinical services. You also collaborate with TUSPM student doctors on case discussions and presentations, creating a peer-supported learning environment. This internship is designed to help you explore careers in sports medicine, surgery, orthopedics, diabetes care, pediatrics, and wound care.
14. Scientific Clinical Research Internship Program (SCRIP) at UC Irvine
Location: UC Irvine Health and School of Medicine (Orange/Irvine, CA)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 1–5 interns per lab
Dates: 1 to 12-month assignments available across Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Non-UCI undergraduates (all terms), UCI undergraduates (Summer only), 16+ years old, must independently secure a faculty sponsor prior to applying
In the Scientific Clinical Research Internship Program (SCRIP), you will explore biomedical research, regulatory compliance, and clinical trials under the direct mentorship of a UC Irvine faculty member. As an intern, you will assist with medical research, complete rigorous safety and protocol training, observe ongoing clinical trials, and document crucial research data. The program features a self-driven structure, requiring you to independently secure a faculty sponsor before you can even apply. Throughout your time in the lab, you will learn essential skills such as regulatory compliance, lab safety protocols, clinical data management, and practical research methodology. Ultimately, this hands-on experience allows you to build a strong foundation in clinical science.