Making the decision to become a medical professional is no easy task. Luckily, you don't have to wait until college to make a decision. For high school and college students, there are many immersion programs that offer hands-on learning, research opportunities, and networking opportunities with other medical professionals. You can explore potential interests, hone your skill set, and get ready for any serious applications with the aid of these programs. Below are ten well-structured program options to help you conduct in-depth medical research.
1. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford Campus, Palo Alto, CA
Program Dates: June 23 - July 25, 2025 (5 weeks)
Cost: Tuition-free (includes housing, meals, and transportation)
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California
Deadline: March 17, 2025
A revolutionary residential program, SMYSP aims to empower underrepresented students with a passion for healthcare. Participants divided their time between public health research projects and clinical rotations at Stanford Hospital over a period of five weeks. While the afternoons are devoted to group research addressing local health disparities (e.g., diabetes rates in marginalized communities), the mornings are spent shadowing doctors in specialties such as pediatrics or cardiology. Students also learn CPR and attend workshops on college preparation.
Participants present their findings to faculty and other participants at a symposium that concludes the program. Noting that SMYSP's mentorship and lived experience were essential to their career path, previous alumni have gone on to excel in pre-med programs.
2. UCLA Pre-Med Enrichment Program (PREP)
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Program Dates: July 7 - August 15, 2025 (6 weeks)
Cost: Free (funded by UCLA)
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds
Deadline: March 3, 2025
UCLA PREP targets students aiming to overcome systemic barriers in healthcare education. The program combines rigorous academics with practical training: mornings are dedicated to MCAT-style problem-solving sessions led by medical students, while afternoons involve community-based research projects, such as analyzing vaccine access in East LA. Participants also tour UCLA’s simulation hospital and practice suturing on synthetic skin.
The Mock MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), in which students act out typical medical school interview situations, is a noteworthy feature. The program's combination of skill building and confidence boosting mentorship is credited by more than 80% of PREP alumni who enroll in pre-med tracks.
3. University of Arizona Pre-Medical Summer School
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Program Dates: Three months (summer)
Cost: Free + $1,000 stipend for eligible students
Eligibility: Undergraduate/graduate students (18+), residing in Phoenix during summer
Deadline: March 30, 2025
This hybrid program balances clinical volunteering with academic enrichment. Participants spend 20 hours per week at Banner Health clinics, assisting nurses with patient intake and observing telehealth consultations. The curriculum includes weekly case studies for example, diagnosing a virtual patient with lupus and workshops on topics like medical Spanish or interpreting EKGs.
Students also attend “Med School 101” sessions with UArizona faculty, covering application timelines and personal statement writing. The $1,000 stipend helps offset living costs, making it accessible for students needing financial support.
4. Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Program
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Program Dates: 8 weeks (summer)
Cost: Free + stipend up to $4,000
Eligibility: Grades 10 to 12
Deadline: February 29, 2025
SEED/STEM focuses on biomedical research and students work with a mentor from an Indiana University faculty member to conduct a lab-based research project. Past research has included evaluating CRISPR gene editing in cancer cells, and assessing drug delivery systems using 3D-printed tissues, with students learning advanced techniques, such as flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, before presenting their findings at the statewide Indiana STEM Conference.
SEED/STEM also plans field trips to Eli Lilly labs, arguments about bioethics, and other aspects of medical innovation to give students a complete picture of medical advances. The stipend awarded to students allows them to focus on research rather than finances.
5. Penn Medicine Summer Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Program Dates: Four weeks (summer)
Cost: Varies (need-based scholarships available)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Penn’s program emphasizes experiential learning through its state-of-the-art simulation labs. Students practice inserting IVs, reading X-rays, and responding to mock codes (medical emergencies) using high-fidelity mannequins. The curriculum includes cadaver lab tours, where UPenn surgeons explain human anatomy, and lectures on cutting-edge topics like immunotherapy.
A unique highlight is the “Diagnostic Olympics,” where teams compete to solve complex patient cases. Participants leave with a portfolio of clinical skills and a network of peers equally passionate about medicine.
6. KP Launch Internship
Location: Northern California (Kaiser service area)
Program Dates: 7 weeks (June-July)
Cost: Paid ($15.50-$18/hour)
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors from Northern California
Deadline: December
This paid internship places students in Kaiser Permanente hospitals, rotating through departments like radiology, emergency medicine, and physical therapy. Tasks range from sterilizing equipment to assisting with patient education materials.
Interns also collaborate on capstone projects-e.g., designing a community health campaign to reduce teen vaping and present their work to hospital leadership. The program prioritizes underrepresented minorities, with mentorship from Kaiser’s Diversity in Medicine initiative. Many alumni secure part-time roles at Kaiser during college.
7. IU Molecular Medicine in Action
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates vary)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Deadline: Not specified
Hosted by the Indiana University School of Medicine, this program delves into molecular mechanisms of diseases. Students extract DNA from strawberries, culture bacteria to test antibiotic resistance, and use PCR machines to amplify genetic material.
A highlight is the “Zombie Outbreak” simulation, where teams track a fictional pathogen using epidemiological tools. Tours of IU’s genomics core and stem cell institute expose participants to career paths rarely explored in high school.
8. Future Scientist Program (IU Simon Cancer Center)
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Program Dates: 8 weeks (summer)
Cost: Free + possible stipend
Eligibility: Marion County public high school juniors
Deadline: Not specified
Run by the IU Simon Cancer Center, this program immerses students in oncology research. Participants work on projects like testing plant-derived compounds for antitumor properties or studying metastasis in zebrafish models. Mentors guide them through journal club discussions, where students critique recent papers, and grant writing workshops.
The final poster symposium attracts local researchers, offering networking opportunities. Several alumni have co-authored papers in journals like Cancer Research.
9. MedPathways Camp (Hofstra)
Location: Hofstra University, NY
Program Dates: August 11–15, 2025 (1 week)
Cost: $745/week
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Deadline: Rolling admissions
This intensive camp replicates the first year of medical school. Days begin with lectures on topics like pharmacokinetics which is followed by labs where students intubate mannequins or analyze blood smears.
A standout activity is the “Ethics Grand Rounds,” where teams debate dilemmas like allocating ventilators during a shortage. Evenings include tours of Northwell Health’s innovation lab, featuring robotic surgery demos. Scholarships are available for students from Title I schools.
10. UArizona Pre-Medical Academy
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Program Dates: August 2024 - May 2025 (10 months)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Undergraduate/graduate students in Phoenix
Deadline: August 9, 2024
This year-long pipeline program bridges classroom learning and clinical practice. Students shadow physicians at Banner - University Medical Center, attend grand rounds, and volunteer at free clinics serving undocumented communities. Monthly sessions encompassing MCAT planning, AMCAS application tips, and financial literacy for future doctors.
The program ends with a capstone project creating a telehealth plan for rural patients. Most students also receive letters of recommendation from faculty, which support their med school applications.
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’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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