If healthcare interests you, you may have wondered what it is really like to work inside a hospital. NYC hospital internships for high school students bridge the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice by showing you how biology, medicine, and public health come together in real healthcare settings.

You could spend part of your summer observing healthcare professionals, learning how hospital departments operate, or assisting with research and community health initiatives. These experiences provide insight into patient care while introducing you to careers in nursing, medicine, healthcare administration, and biomedical research.

How do you choose the right NYC Hospital Internships for High School Students?

Finding the right hospital internship can feel challenging. Some programs focus primarily on career exploration, while others emphasize research, patient interaction, leadership development, or public health education. Understanding what you hope to gain from the experience can make the decision much easier.

Many NYC hospitals and healthcare organizations offer programs designed specifically for high school students. Depending on the internship, you might participate in medical research projects, shadow healthcare professionals, attend educational workshops, or engage in community outreach initiatives. Some programs are highly selective and academically intensive, while others are designed to introduce students to healthcare careers in a supportive environment.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 NYC Hospital Internships for High School Students. These opportunities were selected for their learning value, mentorship opportunities, and strong reputation among aspiring healthcare professionals.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online medicine program.

Key takeaways

• The Summer Health Internship Program (SHIP) is a paid six-week internship requiring students to be at least 16 years old, running from June 29 to August 6.
• Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme includes an NYC Hospital track spanning two weeks, open to high school students aged 15 to 18, with weekly 1:1 career coaching and personalized resume feedback.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program has approximately a 2 percent acceptance rate, admitting just 20 interns who must live within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus.
• RockEDU Jumpstart pays a $500 stipend for its spring session and $3,250 for its summer research session, designed specifically for students with little or no prior lab experience.
• The Science Enrichment Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering pays a $4,200 stipend and spans nearly a full year, from November 15 through August 26, requiring school nomination.
• New York Bioforce combines 50 hours of training with a paid six-week internship, targeting students who demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage.
• The Lenox Hill Hospital Health Care Immersion Summer Volunteer Program accepts just 10 high school students for 100 hours of non-clinical hospital exposure over the month of July.
• S-PREP at Columbia University is entirely free and open to students in grades 7 through 12, but restricted to New York State residents who are economically disadvantaged or underrepresented in medicine.

15 NYC Hospital Internships for High School Students 

1. Summer Health Internship Program (SHIP)

Location: Manhattan Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC), New York, NY
Cost: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; competitive selection process
Dates: June 29th – August 6th
Application Deadline: February 28th
Eligibility: Open to current local high school juniors and seniors, as well as current college freshmen and sophomores in good standing. Students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program

As one of the most career-focused NYC hospital internships for high school students, SHIP offers a structured introduction to healthcare through direct exposure to hospitals and healthcare facilities. During the six-week program, you’ll explore a range of health professions while learning about community health challenges that affect diverse populations.

Weekly workshops bring together healthcare practitioners, students, and educators who share insights into their careers and training pathways. You’ll also visit health professions schools and participate in discussions centered on leadership, teamwork, and cultural competence. 

Why it stands out: You gain hospital exposure, career exploration, and paid work experience in a single program designed specifically for students interested in healthcare.

2. Immerse Education’s New York Medicine Summer School

Location: Barnard College, Columbia University, New York
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students across the globe aged 15-18 

Immerse Education’s Medicine Career Insights Program lets high school students explore careers in major global industry hubs. You’ll participate in hands-on medical simulations, attend engaging classes, and critical discussions. You’ll receive guidance from experienced medical professionals and gain both clinical and critical thinking skills. You’ll not only gain theoretical knowledge about a medical career but also understand the development of treatment plans.  Participants engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit offices, factories, and headquarters.

The program also includes in-person weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You’ll also present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll receive a certificate. You can find more details about the application here!

Why it stands out: You’ll explore university-level concepts in fields like medicine and psychology, giving you early exposure to the academic pathways behind real careers.

3. BRAINYAC 

Location: Columbia University Zuckerman Institute, New York, NY
Cost: Paid internship (exact stipend not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20-25 students
Dates: 7-week summer session starting June 30th
Application Deadline: Varies; applications typically open in October
Eligibility: Open to 10th and 11th-grade students who reside in New York City and are enrolled in one of BRAINYAC’s partner programs 

If you’re fascinated by the brain and how scientists study it, BRAINYAC offers a rare opportunity to join a neuroscience research lab at Columbia University. You’ll work alongside researchers on ongoing projects while learning laboratory techniques, scientific reasoning, and data analysis skills.

Throughout the summer, you’ll attend workshops, career development sessions, and seminars that introduce you to current questions in brain science. The program also emphasizes mentorship, giving you direct access to scientists who can share insights about research careers. 

Why it stands out: You get hands-on neuroscience research experience while working with scientists at one of the country’s leading brain research institutes.

4. Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program (SSP) 

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost: $1,200 stipend; no program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 2% acceptance rate; 20 interns selected each summer
Dates: June 29th – August 21st
Application Deadline: February 6th
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors who are at least 14 years old, legally authorized to work in the United States, and live within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus

If you want to experience biomedical research at a world-renowned cancer centre, SSP is one of the most selective NYC hospital internships for high school students. The programme places you directly in an MSK research laboratory for eight weeks, where you’ll work with a faculty mentor, contribute to an ongoing project, and learn techniques used in cancer biology, immunology, genomics, and computational science.

Beyond the lab, you’ll attend professional development sessions and educational events that introduce you to translational medicine. Regular interactions with scientists and clinicians help you understand how discoveries move from the research bench to patient care. 

Why it stands out: With only about 20 spots and a 2% acceptance rate, this is one of the most selective and research-intensive hospital internships available to high school students in New York City.

5. YES in THE HEIGHTS

Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; acceptance rate is less than 10 percent
Dates: June 29th – August 21st
Application Deadline: January 9th
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible; at least 14 years of age

If you’re interested in how scientific discoveries improve patient care, YES in THE HEIGHTS offers a close look at cancer research within a major academic medical center. You’ll be paired with a mentor and work on research projects while learning about cancer biology, public health, and health disparities.

The program combines laboratory experiences with workshops, seminars, and professional development activities that introduce you to careers in medicine and biomedical science. 

Why it stands out: You explore cancer research and healthcare careers while working within one of New York City’s leading cancer centers and academic hospitals.

6. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 32 students selected annually
Dates: June 22nd – August 6th
Application Deadline: January 2nd
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program; students from New York City, elsewhere in the United States, and international locations are eligible to apply 

If you’re eager to experience research at a leading biomedical institution, SSRP places you in a Rockefeller University laboratory for a full-time summer internship. You’ll work closely with scientists on an active research project while learning techniques used in modern biological and biomedical research.

The program includes workshops, seminars, and discussions that introduce you to different scientific fields and career paths. As the summer progresses, you’ll build confidence in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. 

Why it stands out: You spend the summer conducting authentic biomedical research alongside scientists at one of the world’s premier research institutions.

7. Science Enrichment Program (SEP)

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost: $4,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 interns annually
Dates: November 15th – August 26th (includes an 8-week summer internship)
Application Deadline: School nominations due June 30th; final application due September 1st
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors nominated by one of SEP’s partner NYC schools; applicants must have completed a full year of biology and demonstrate a strong interest in STEM careers

If you’re looking for a research experience that extends beyond a single summer, SEP offers nearly a year of scientific training and mentorship. You’ll spend the academic year attending after-school sessions focused on cancer biology, laboratory techniques, clinical research, computational science, and professional development.

During the summer, you’ll transition into an eight-week mentored research internship in a biomedical or computational laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Working alongside researchers, you’ll complete a self-directed project and develop skills that mirror those used in professional research settings.

Why it stands out: SEP combines year-long coursework with a paid hospital-based research internship, creating a much deeper research experience.

8. RockEDU Jumpstart 

Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free; $500 stipend for the spring session and $3,250 stipend for the summer research session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 students
Dates: February 26th – June 11th (Spring Session); June 22nd – August 6th (Summer Session)
Application Deadline: January 2nd
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and attend a New York City high school 

If you’re curious about biomedical research but have little or no prior lab experience, Jumpstart offers a supportive entry point. You’ll begin with after-school sessions where you learn molecular biology techniques, explore scientific literature, and develop research skills alongside scientist mentors.

As the program progresses, you’ll transition into Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program, working full-time on a laboratory research project. Throughout both phases, you’ll receive guidance from researchers and a dedicated Jumpstart Advocate who can support your academic and professional growth. 

Why it stands out: Jumpstart prepares you through months of training before immersing you in full-time biomedical research.

9. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship 

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
Cost: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1st – August 7th (6-week and 10-week options available, depending on project)
Application Deadline: January 5th
Eligibility: Open to current NYC high school juniors and seniors, college students, college graduates, and medical students

Few NYC hospital internships for high school students offer as broad a range of placements as the Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship. You can explore paediatric medicine through research, clinical quality improvement, patient education, health policy, administration, medical education, and advocacy projects.

Depending on your track, you might contribute to studies on epilepsy, asthma, HIV, kidney disease, child development, or pediatric cardiology. Many placements also include opportunities to interact with physicians, researchers, and healthcare administrators. 

Why it stands out: Few hospital internships give high school students access to such a wide range of pediatric research, clinical, policy, and healthcare administration opportunities under one program.

10. New York Bioforce

Location: Various labs & Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free; includes a paid summer internship (exact stipend not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: April 4th – August 14th
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; exact deadline not specified
Eligibility: Open to 11th and 12th-grade students attending a NYC Department of Education public or charter high school; applicants should demonstrate educational and/or economic disadvantage and have an interest in pursuing STEAM fields

If you’re interested in healthcare and biomedical research, New York Bioforce combines structured training with a paid hospital or laboratory internship. You’ll begin with 50 hours of instruction covering topics such as molecular biology, biomedical engineering, clinical science, data science, and professional development.

After completing the training phase, you’ll spend six weeks working alongside mentors in research labs, healthcare institutions, or life science organizations. The program also includes hands-on laboratory experiences that help you develop practical research skills before entering your internship. 

Why it stands out: You receive extensive research training before your internship begins, making the transition into a hospital or research setting far more meaningful than a typical shadowing experience.

11. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies for summer session and academic year
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7-12 who are either economically disadvantaged or belong to groups historically underrepresented in medicine and STEM fields; applicants must be New York State residents or attend school in New York State

If you’re exploring a future in medicine, S-PREP gives you the chance to strengthen your STEM foundation while learning about healthcare careers. You’ll take courses in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry, psychology, and public health, taught by faculty and professionals affiliated with Columbia.

The program also includes PSAT/SAT preparation, college readiness workshops, and career development activities. Throughout the experience, you’ll meet healthcare professionals and learn about educational pathways in medicine and biomedical science. 

Why it stands out: Few pre-med programs offer year-round academic support, healthcare career exploration, and college preparation entirely free of charge.

12. Lenox Hill Hospital Health Care Immersion Summer Volunteer Program

Location: Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective cohort; accepts 10 high school students
Dates: Month of July (Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., totaling 100 hours)
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Open to domestic high school students aged 16 + with a demonstrated interest in healthcare

If you’re curious about how a hospital functions beyond the examination room, this program offers an inside look at daily healthcare operations. You’ll work in non-clinical roles throughout Lenox Hill Hospital, gaining exposure to departments that support patient care and hospital services.

Along the way, you’ll interact with healthcare professionals and observe how different teams collaborate to keep a major medical center running smoothly. The experience emphasizes professionalism, communication, and service while helping you better understand the healthcare environment. 

Why it stands out: This program introduces you to the operational side of healthcare through extensive immersion within a leading New York City hospital.

13. High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) 

Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free; limited subsistence allowances available for select participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 26th – August 7th
Application Deadline: January 2nd
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors who are at least 15 years old by the start of the program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must live and attend school in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua counties in Western New York.

If you’re interested in cancer research, SURE-CAN offers an introduction to the scientific work taking place inside a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. You’ll participate in lectures, discussions, and hands-on laboratory research while exploring topics such as cancer biology, genomics, imaging, artificial intelligence, and research ethics.

The program also highlights how fields like mathematics, physics, and engineering contribute to advances in cancer science. You’ll attend professional development sessions focused on scientific communication and career exploration. 

Why it stands out: You gain exposure to both laboratory research and emerging technologies, such as genomics and AI, while learning within one of the nation’s leading cancer centers.

14. SPARKED (Summer Program Advancing Research Knowledge, Education and Development) 

Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Cost: Free; a stipend is awarded upon successful completion of the internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 students per summer
Dates: July 13th – August 20th (summer internship); continues part-time through May
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in the spring
Eligibility: Open to all rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16-18. Applicants must have completed at least one high school science course, maintain an 80% average in science subjects, and commit to the program’s 10-month schedule 

If you’re interested in cancer research, SPARKED offers a chance to move beyond classroom science and work on real biomedical projects. You’ll join either an experimental biology lab or a bioinformatics research group at the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center.

The program begins with preparatory sessions before transitioning into a six-week mentored summer internship, followed by continued engagement throughout the school year. Alongside research, you’ll attend scientific enrichment sessions, career development workshops, and discussions on college planning and well-being. 

Why it stands out: SPARKED supports your growth for nearly a full year through research, mentorship, scientific enrichment, and career development.

15. Einstein-Montefiore Summer High School Research Program 

Location: Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12-15 students
Dates: Exact dates vary annually
Application Deadline: Typically around April 1st
Eligibility: Open to local students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and are entering 11th or 12th grade

If you’re eager to experience biomedical research firsthand, this program places you in an Einstein research laboratory for a full-time summer internship. You’ll work alongside scientists on ongoing research projects while learning how laboratory discoveries contribute to advances in medicine.

In addition to your lab placement, you’ll attend faculty lectures, research ethics sessions, and enrichment activities shared with participants in Einstein’s undergraduate research program. Throughout the summer, you’ll receive guidance from a faculty mentor and become part of an active scientific community. 

Why it stands out: You conduct research in a medical school laboratory while participating in the same lectures and scientific enrichment activities offered to undergraduate researchers.

Frequently asked questions: NYC hospital internships for high school students

Are NYC hospital internships open to international students?

Most NYC hospital internships restrict eligibility to US citizens or permanent residents, including Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program, YES in THE HEIGHTS, and New York Bioforce. The Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program is a notable exception, welcoming students from New York City, elsewhere in the US, and international locations. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme is also open to international students aged 15 to 18 across its NYC Hospital track.

Do NYC hospital internships pay a stipend?

Many do, though amounts vary considerably. The Science Enrichment Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering pays $4,200, RockEDU Jumpstart pays up to $3,250 for its summer session, and Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program pays $1,200. Some programs, like S-PREP and the Lenox Hill Hospital Immersion Program, are unpaid but free to attend. Always check a program’s stipend status directly, since paid and unpaid opportunities are often mixed together in general searches.

How competitive are NYC hospital internships?

Selectivity ranges widely. Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program has approximately a 2 percent acceptance rate, and YES in THE HEIGHTS accepts less than 10 percent of applicants. Other programs, like S-PREP or the Lenox Hill Hospital Immersion Program, have less publicized acceptance rates but still admit a limited cohort. Meeting every eligibility detail, including residency and coursework prerequisites, matters as much as application quality across nearly all of these programs.

What is the difference between a research-based and a shadowing-based hospital internship?

Research-based internships, like Memorial Sloan Kettering’s SSP or the Rockefeller SSRP, place you in an active lab where you contribute to a real research question under a faculty mentor. Shadowing or immersion-based programs, like the Lenox Hill Hospital Health Care Immersion Program, instead have you observe hospital operations and non-clinical departments without conducting original research. If you already know you want lab experience, a research program is the better fit; if you want a broader view of hospital operations, an immersion program offers that instead.

Do NYC hospital internships require prior science coursework?

Some do, but not all. The Science Enrichment Program requires a full year of biology, and SPARKED requires completion of at least one science course with an 80% average. Others, like New York Bioforce and RockEDU Jumpstart, are specifically designed for students with little or no prior lab experience, building foundational skills before placing you in a lab. Check each program’s eligibility section closely, since prerequisites vary even among similarly structured research internships.

Is Immerse Education a good option for exploring hospital careers before college?

Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme is a strong choice if you want structured exposure to NYC’s healthcare ecosystem without needing US residency. The two week program combines project-based learning with established companies, interactive workshops, and site visits, alongside weekly 1:1 career coaching and personalized resume feedback. Open to students aged 15 to 18, it concludes with a presentation to industry experts, giving you concrete material for future applications regardless of where you live.

Take Your Healthcare Interests Beyond the Internship

Hospital experience can transform curiosity into direction by revealing how patient care, research, teamwork, and healthcare systems operate in real settings.

The 15 NYC hospital internships for high school students featured here offer practical pathways into medicine, nursing, biomedical research, and healthcare administration.

Comparing eligibility, duration, stipend, mentorship, and programme focus will help you identify the opportunity that best supports your goals and interests.

Ready to deepen your understanding of medicine beyond the internship? Read our Medicine Top Books Guide for carefully selected reading that strengthens your knowledge, expands your perspective, and inspires your next academic step with greater confidence.