Participating in a medical summer program is an excellent method for high school students to gain hands-on experience, learn about health occupations, and build their college resumes. Below is a list of the nine best medical summer programs for high school students in 2025.
1. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
This tuition-free, 4 week program at Stanford University is for students studying in 10th–12th grade, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Students learn through lectures, hands-on laboratory work, and hospital tours from researchers and medical professionals. Mentorship, academic enrichment, and career exposure to actual medical fields are the focus areas of the program. SMYSP also provides college preparation and leadership training skills.
2. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Located at the University of California, San Francisco, this 9-week program offers high school juniors and seniors a chance to intern in biomedical and clinical research laboratories. Students are placed one-on-one with mentors and also have the opportunity to participate in career development workshops and networking with health professions students. The program is open to students from underrepresented backgrounds, and stipends are provided. This is a wonderful opportunity to get meaningful research experience in a premier healthcare setting.
3. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
This free, highly competitive, five-day camp at CDC headquarters in Atlanta exposes upcoming juniors and seniors to epidemiology and public health. Students participate in outbreak simulations, laboratory experiences, and presentations from CDC scientists. The program provides an inside view of disease detection and prevention. It's perfect for students who are thinking about going into public health, medicine, or biomedical research.
4. Rady Children’s Hospital Summer Medical Academy
San Diego-based, the program is available to students in grades 9–12 and runs for two weeks. The students learn from healthcare professionals via lectures, simulations, and clinical workshops. The program offers hands-on practice with medical equipment and exposes students to the numerous careers available in the healthcare field. Financial aid is also available to deserving students to enable it to reach a diverse range of students.
5. Harvard Medical School Project Success
This eight-week Boston program is designed for high school students from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds. Students conduct research in Harvard laboratories, seminars, and tours of hospitals and biotech firms. College counseling and career development are also provided. It's a highly competitive chance to gain research experience at one of the world's leading medical schools.
6. Johns Hopkins University Pre-College Summer Programs
Johns Hopkins provides a number of on-campus and online summer medicine, neuroscience, and psychology courses. Students complete lectures, labs, and group projects and receive academic credit and a preview of college work. The program is an opportunity to study with top medical faculty and examine numerous aspects of healthcare. It's suitable for students who hunger for serious academic challenges.
7. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute
This one week-long program is open to students in grades 9–12 and explores topics such as internal medicine, surgery, and cardiology. Students learn about clinical skills, tour medical centers/equipment and meet with medical students and professionals. This program is meant to be an overall introduction to medical careers and the practice of healthcare in the real world. This program is a great introduction to students who would like to consider a future in medicine.
8. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Senior Summer Internship Program
This is a paid eight-week internship for graduating high school seniors in the Cincinnati area with a focus on pediatrics. The students are assigned to different specialties and matched with mentors, participate in skills training, and network through seminars and other activities. The internship concludes with final presentations.
9. Georgetown Medical Institute for High School Students
Georgetown provides 1- and 3-week medical immersion programs with laboratory work, hospital trips, and introductions to specialties like anesthesiology and emergency medicine. High school students with a strong background in science (GPA 3.5+) are invited to apply. The work is hands-on and intensive and gives a very realistic view of medical school and careers in healthcare.
They offer high school students excellent opportunities to learn about medicine, obtain hands-on experience, and network with mentors and peers. Since admission is competitive, review eligibility criteria and deadlines early to ensure the best possibility of acceptance.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
Read More
