These days the need for Pharmacists and healthcare in general and thus many students are getting attracted to this, so you also need to start early. For those interested in knowing how medicines are created, tested, and distributed, pre-pharmacy programs provide a valuable and applied summer experience. By integrating lectures, laboratory work, and career investigation, these programs provide students with an understanding of the field of pharmacy, prior to setting foot in college.
Whether you are interested in chemistry, interested in patient care, or looking to get a PharmD down the line, the following list of best pre-pharmacy summer camps for high school students will get you ahead of the game. All of these programs are specifically for high school students and include actual exposure to academic and clinical pharmacy.
Why Pre-Pharmacy Experience Matters in High School
Pharmacy connects healthcare with science. Pharmacists are not only the people with good knowledge of drugs but also credible healthcare providers, and they play a central role in educating the patients about diseases.
By participating in this program, students can:
Get good experience in chemistry
Understand the drug development pipeline, from lab to pharmacy counter
Shadow professionals in real healthcare settings
Build lab skills and complete mini research projects
Explore college majors and career paths in STEM and healthcare
1. Pharmacy Summer Institute – Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
Location: Rootstown, Ohio
Dates: July 2025 but exact is yet to be decided
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds
Deadline: Typically in May
This program gives students experience and knowledge in pharmacy, biomedical sciences and also work with healthcare professionals. The participants gets to experience lab work, clinical simulations and interactions with students and faculty.
2. University of Michigan Pre-College Program in Pharmacy
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dates: July 8–19, 2025 (tentative)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, especially underrepresented students in STEM
Deadline: Usually in March or April
The students learn pharmaceutical sciences through workshops, lab activities, and panels with working pharmacists. The program focuses on teamwork, research and career exposure.
3. Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
Location: Multiple U.S. campuses for example Howard, Columbia, UCLA, and more
Dates: 6-week summer program (June to July)
Cost: Free, with stipend and housing
Eligibility: Rising college freshmen and sophomores
Deadline: February
Though designed for college students, SHPEP occasionally accepts high school seniors. Campuses who focus on pharmacy (e.g., Rutgers, WesternU) offer programs for students in pharmaceutical science and healthcare.
4. CampMed – University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Dates: Mid July 2025
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Ohio high school students entering 11th or 12th grade
Deadline: Typically in May
CampMed offers hands-on experiences in pharmacy, medicine, and allied health. Students take part in mock patient care simulations, anatomy lessons, and pharmacology labs on a university campus.
5. Pre-Pharmacy Enrichment Program – Purdue University
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Dates: June 2025
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors from backgrounds that are underrated
Deadline: Usually in March
Purdue’s program introduces students to college-level pharmacy instruction, with an emphasis on compounding, medication safety, and pharmacy career tracks. Students also tour the university’s research labs.
6. USC Summer Science Academy – Pharmacy Track
Location: Los Angeles, California
Dates: July 2025
Cost: $1,000 to $1,500
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9 to 12
Deadline: Rolling admissions, early spring
Hosted by the USC School of Pharmacy, this academy includes research experiments, mentorship sessions, and pharmacy-related case studies. Students work in labs and participate in academic writing and presentations.
7. Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Summer Camp – University of the Sciences
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dates: July 2025
Cost: around $500
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Deadline: June
This program introduces students to compounding, dosage formulation, and pharmacy ethics. Students get to work under lab environment and research on drugs, also they get insights on clinical decision making and medical counseling.
8. Explore Pharmacy Camp – University of Wisconsin–Madison
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Dates: June or July 2025
Cost: around $400
Eligibility: Wisconsin high school students for grade 10 and 12
Deadline: April
This one-week camp allows students to explore drug discovery, pharmaceutical research, and the pharmacist’s role in healthcare systems. The tasks or activities involve doing drug research, pharmaceutical research, real visits to hospitals and discussions with peers.
9. St. John’s University STEM Academy – Pharmacy Track
Location: Queens, New York
Dates: July 2025
Cost: $700 to $900
Eligibility: Anyone who is interested
Deadline: Rolling
St. John’s STEM Academy includes a pre-pharmacy option where students explore topics like drug interactions, community pharmacy operations, and patient education. College readiness workshops are also included.
10. Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy – Summer Programs
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Dates: July 2025
Cost: Varies
Eligibility: High school students (typically grades 10–12)
Deadline: May or June
This program gives you pharmaceutical education, it also includes real interaction with patients which is very good for you at this stage, lectures from alumni and seniors. It is a very good opportunity to get into a good school and work under a proper lab environment and get good experience.
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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