Top 10 Medical Internships for High School Students

Are you an aspiring doctor? Then you probably already know that factors like grades and extracurricular activities matter to medical school admissions committees. Participating in medical internships for high school students is one way to get hands-on experience and help you get a feel of whether medicine is the right pathway for you.

In this article, we’ll list ten internships you can consider and what you can expect from them as a participant.

• Paid Medical Internships for High School Students
• Unpaid Medical Internships for High School Students
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Paid Medical Internships for High School Students

Paid medical internships for high school students offer hands-on experiences that help you further understand and appreciate what it’s like to work in healthcare. Being paid means you’ll not only gain valuable experience but also receive financial compensation for your time and work.

1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California

Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (as of the fall semester), at least 16 years old by the program’s start date

2025 program dates: June 9 to July 31

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week summer medical internship for high school students where you’ll do hands-on research under the direct guidance of a mentor. When applying for this program, you can choose from eight areas of research, namely:

• Immunology
• Neurobiology
• Cancer Biology
• Bioengineering
• Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Genetics and Genomics

The Bioengineering area is actually a bootcamp, which still offers hands-on experience but without a lab research component.

For the others, you can expect to work at least 40 hours a week in the lab and present your research findings at the end of the program in a formal presentation and a poster session. You’ll also learn important scientific skills like experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication.

As a participant in SIMR, you’ll have opportunities to attend lectures, lab meetings, and social events. You’ll build a network that can be a source of collaboration, support, and future opportunities.

To learn more about the program, read our guide on the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program.

2. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington

Eligibility: Rising seniors

2025 program dates: June 24 to August 16

The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week paid internship in Seattle for high school students interested in biomedical research, particularly those from backgrounds underrepresented in science. What makes SHIP interesting is that it focuses on the foundational science of disease rather than clinical experience or patient interaction.

This summer medical internship for high school students starts with two weeks of intensive, hands-on training in core lab techniques and safety. After the initial training, you’ll be paired with a Fred Hutch research group for six weeks. Here, you’ll work directly under the guidance of a faculty member or a postdoctoral researcher, contributing to a real, ongoing research project.

Fred Hutch is a world-renowned cancer research center, and as an intern, you’ll get to see firsthand how scientists handle major medical challenges, from cancer and infectious diseases to bioinformatics and public health.

Beyond the lab, you’ll also attend seminars and workshops on topics like college and career planning, preparing for medical school, and effective scientific communication.

3. Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH Internship Program

Location: Varies, but placements are available across Kaiser Permanente’s facilities in Northern California, Southern California, and other regions.

Eligibility: High school students or undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

2025 program dates: Specific dates differ per location, though the program is typically an 8-week commitment in the summer

The Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH Internship Program (KP LAUNCH) is an eight-week paid summer internship that provides high school and undergraduate students with exposure to non-clinical careers in the healthcare industry. What makes KP LAUNCH interesting is that it offers you a unique perspective in healthcare that doesn’t involve hands-on clinical experience with patients.

Clinical skills are important for doctors, but you should also understand the complex business, technological, and administrative systems that support patient care. This medical internship for high school students will expose you to these essential functions, including finance, marketing, human resources, and information technology within a healthcare context.

As a KP LAUNCH intern, you’ll also participate in professional development workshops focusing on skills like public speaking, resume building, and financial literacy. The program introduces you to different careers in healthcare that aren’t patient-facing. This can help you discover alternative or complementary career paths (such as health policy, public health research, or healthcare administration) that might align with your interests.

4. Helios Scholars at TGen

Location: TGen headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, and TGen North in Flagstaff, Arizona

Eligibility: Incoming and continuing undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students who have attended an Arizona high school, college, or university

2025 program dates: June 8 to July 31

The Helios Scholars at TGen is another unique medical internship for high school students, but it’s only open to seniors who will have graduated by the program date.

TGen focuses on translational genomics, which means turning basic research findings into new diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. As an intern, you’ll be paired with a TGen scientist who serves as a mentor, guiding you through a full-time research project.

You can expect to work on a wide range of topics, from computational biology and bioinformatics to cancer and cardiovascular research. This broad exposure can help you discover specific areas of interest, giving you a strong foundation for future specializations.

Outside of lab work, you’ll also get a comprehensive professional development experience. You’ll participate in seminars and workshops focused on scientific writing, data analysis, public speaking, and networking. The program ends in a scientific symposium where interns present their research findings to peers and professionals.

5. Johns Hopkins Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Baltimore City, with limited spots for students from surrounding counties; must have taken chemistry by the summer

2025 program dates: July 8 to August 8

The Johns Hopkins Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT) program is a five-week paid summer medical internship for high school students that focuses on biophysics. You’ll be placed in a state-of-the-art teaching lab learning and practicing essential biomedical research techniques—such as protein purification, DNA analysis, and microbiology.

Biophysics helps explain the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease. By understanding how diseases work at a fundamental level, you can develop a deeper appreciation for the research that pushes medical innovation and the development of new drugs and therapies.

You’ll be paired with a team of mentors, including a Johns Hopkins professor, a graduate student, and an undergraduate student. This multi-level mentorship helps give you an idea of the pathway from high school to a career in science. You’ll also get to visit other research labs on the Johns Hopkins campus, which can expose you to more scientific disciplines.

Unpaid Medical Internships for High School Students

Paid opportunities can be great since you get rewarded for the effort you put in. However, unpaid medical internships for high school students can also reward you with the same knowledge and valuable experiences that paid programs offer.

6. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California

Eligibility: High school juniors from Northern California who are from a low-income family and will be first-generation college students

2025 program dates: June 23 to July 25

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a prestigious, five-week, tuition-free summer medical internship for high school students, particularly for low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California.

As an intern, you can expect to shadow medical professionals, see different hospital departments in action, and interact with patients. You’ll be paired with and advised by a team of mentors, including Stanford faculty, medical professionals, and college students.

The program also has a strong academic and research component. You and your peers will work in small groups on a public health research project focused on health disparities. This will teach you how to conduct college-level research, write a formal paper, and create a scientific poster.

Beyond the medical focus, SMYSP also prepares you for college life through workshops on college admissions, financial aid, and career planning.

If you’re interested in the program, you can look at our comprehensive guide to the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program.

7. UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program

Location: UCLA Health facilities in Los Angeles, California, including the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old

2025 program dates: Generally runs from June to August (specific dates can vary by program and location, but a typical commitment is around 8 weeks)

The UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program is a volunteer opportunity that provides high school students with direct exposure to the day-to-day operations of a major medical center. You’ll get a feel for the pace, professionalism, and teamwork required in a hospital setting. You’ll learn how different departments, from patient transport to information desks, work together to ensure a smooth patient experience.

If you’re accepted into this medical internship for high school students, you can volunteer in three different areas:

• Patient transport. You’ll assist with moving patients throughout the hospital via wheelchair, gurney, or bed. You’ll also be responsible for tasks like discharging patients, transferring them between departments, and helping transport staff. This is a great role for students interested in seeing many different areas of the hospital and getting some exposure to the diverse services provided.
• Wayfinding. As a wayfinder, you’ll be stationed at entrances, greeting patients and visitors, providing directions, and offering assistance, including with wheelchairs. This role is highly customer service-oriented and requires strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Floater. As a floater, volunteers assist with various needs across different hospital departments. The assignments are varied (from delivering patient mail and newspapers or performing clerical tasks) and change based on the hospital’s needs, so you get a chance to experience the administrative side of a healthcare facility.

Regardless of which area you choose, expect to volunteer at least 50 hours.

8. Medical Immersion Summer Academy

Location: MISA office is in Oakland, California but partners with local health institutions

Eligibility: High school students ages 15 and up

2025 program dates: Multiple sessions, including June 2 to 6, June 9 to 13, July 21 to 25, July 28 to August 1

The Medical Immersion Summer Academy (MISA) is a week-long program that focuses on providing clinical training and career exposure. In this medical internship for high school students, you’ll learn and practice skills such as suturing, taking patient vitals, performing EKGs, splinting, and phlebotomy. You’ll also participate in patient simulations, which mimic real-life medical scenarios.

One of the program’s biggest benefits is the opportunity for students to earn several nationally recognized certifications, such as:

• CPR
• First Aid
• Stop the Bleed
• Teen Mental Health First Aid
• Bloodborne Pathogens

MISA also includes professional development workshops that focus on skills essential for a healthcare career, such as communication, teamwork, and bedside manner. This focus on soft skills, combined with the hands-on training, gives a holistic experience that prepares you for the challenges and responsibilities of the medical profession.

9. Houston Methodist High School Emerging Researcher Experience

Location: Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas

Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and have a minimum GPA of 3.5

2025 program dates: June 9 to August 1

The Houston Methodist High School Emerging Researcher Experience introduces students to translational research. You’ll be placed with a faculty mentor and work on an active research project, learning important lab techniques, methodologies, data analysis, and the scientific method.

This medical internship for high school students also includes a professional development curriculum that helps students with college applications, scientific writing, and public speaking. The internship ends in a scientific symposium where you present your research findings to your peers and mentors.

You also get to attend guest lectures, social events, and network with other students and professionals. This broadens your understanding of the medical field and helps you build a network of contacts that can help you throughout your academic and professional journey.

10. Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program

Location: Saban Research Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, California

Eligibility: Current junior at a public high school in Los Angeles County

2025 program dates: June 16 to August 1

The Samuels Family Latino and African American High School Internship Program (LA-HIP) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a paid, year-long program focused on preparing underrepresented minority students for careers as scientists or physician-scientists. This medical internship for high school students combines high-level research experience and academic support.

The core of the program is a seven-week biomedical research internship at the Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles. You’ll work full-time in a research lab under the mentorship of a faculty scientist, who will guide you through your research projects and provide career advice.

This internship also includes workshops on academic enrichment, scientific writing, and presentation skills. More than that, you can also expect a year-long focus on college readiness. You’ll also receive SAT preparation courses and extensive college counseling, which is especially helpful for first-generation students or those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long are medical internships?

After medical school, aspiring doctors complete a one-year internship as part of their first year of residency training. In terms of medical internships for high school students, these programs typically last around 8 weeks.

2. Do you get paid for medical internships?

Yes, medical interns are paid. They are considered junior doctors in their first year of residency and receive a salary or stipend for their work. For medical internships for high school students, there are paid and unpaid programs.

3. What kind of internships are good for medical school?

The best internships for medical school are those that offer clinical experience and research opportunities. Clinical internships, such as shadowing a physician or volunteering in a hospital, show you understand the patient-facing side of medicine. Meanwhile, research internships show your commitment to the scientific principles that drive medical advancements.

Takeaways

• Medical internships for high school students offer important hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the medical field, helping you confirm your career path and strengthen your college applications.
• Examples of paid medical internships for high school students include SIMR, SHIP, KP LAUNCH, Helios Scholars, and BRBT. Meanwhile, examples of unpaid internships are SMYSP, the UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program, MISA, the Houston Methodist High School Emerging Researcher Experience, and the Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program.
• Trying to choose a medical internship for high school students? Let us help you plan your extracurriculars so you can apply for an internship that complements your other activities and academics that prepare you for med and pre-med.