15 Fall Medical Programs for High School Students

TL;DR

You’ll find 15 medical programs here that run during the school year, from virtual clinical skills courses to hospital rotations and lab research at places like Stanford and Mayo Clinic. Many are local pipeline programs tied to one city, while others, like Stanford’s online Clinical Skills Internship, charge tuition and accept students worldwide. Most suit students aged 14 to 18, and Montefiore Einstein’s BEYOND ALBERT pays a $2,500 summer stipend before its fall seminars begin. Immerse Education’s Online Research pathway in Medicine also lets you start a 1:1 research project any time if you’re aged 13 to 18.

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As a high school student interested in medicine, you may be curious about what happens beyond the biology and chemistry you study in class. Medicine brings together human anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, clinical reasoning, scientific research, communication, and patient care, often requiring you to consider several kinds of evidence before making a decision. 

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Picture yourself examining anatomical models, learning how physicians approach a patient case, practising basic clinical techniques, analysing biomedical data, or discussing current medical research with university faculty. Through a fall medical program, you can build skills in clinical reasoning, scientific analysis, research methods, teamwork, and medical communication while exploring concepts such as anatomy, disease mechanisms, diagnostics, and public health. 

So, how do you choose the right fall medical program for high school students?

Fall medical programs can act as a foundation for your college journey, giving you a taste of what university life is like at a top institution, in person. They can also help you distinguish between pathways such as medicine, biomedical science, public health, and medical research before deciding what you may want to pursue further.

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To help you choose, we’ve put together a list of 15 Fall Medical Programs for High School Students. We have prioritised university and government-hosted opportunities that provide structured academic learning, practical exposure, and meaningful insight into studying medicine and health sciences.

15 Fall Medical Programs for High School Students

1. Harris Neuroscience Internship - Stanford Medicine

Location: Stanford Medicine’s Department of Neurosurgery; Neuroscience Journal Club meetings are held virtually
Cost/Stipend: Cost not listed on the program page; no stipend is listed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; the 2026-2027 cohort has 12 interns
Dates: September - May
Application Deadline: Applications open January 4th and close January 28th, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PT
Eligibility: High school students based in the U.S., with a letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher; international students living outside the U.S. are not eligible

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The Harris Neuroscience Internship gives you a year-long introduction to neuroscience through seminars, scientific discussion, mentorship, and independent project work. You gain access to weekly Stanford Neurosurgery Grand Rounds and participate in a monthly virtual Neuroscience Journal Club where you read and discuss current scientific literature with Stanford experts. 

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You also complete a scholarly project on a neuroscience topic of your choice and take part in at least one community-based project that expands access to or engagement with neuroscience. The programme encourages you to build research literacy, communicate scientific ideas, and explore areas of neuroscience that connect with your own interests. Depending on your project, you may also work with a mentor connected to Stanford’s neuroscience community. The internship is designed for sustained academic engagement rather than short-term clinical shadowing.

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Why it stands out: You combine neuroscience literature, mentorship, an independent scholarly project, and community engagement over an entire academic year.

2. Immerse Education's Online Medicine Summer School

Location: Remotely from anywhere in the world

Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1:1 with your tutor

Dates: Start any time; 10-15 hours of 1:1 tutorials over 2-3 weeks

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; multiple dates throughout the year

Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 (accredited options require age 14+); open to international students

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Immerse Education's Online Research pathway in Medicine focuses on teaching you the theoretical and practical aspects of medicine. The curriculum will cover theoretical concepts taught in medical school, ensuring that you gain a thorough understanding of the subject and a strong foundation for college. 

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Some of the topics you will study are human anatomy, physiology, the principles of disease, medical ethics, the history of medicine, and more. Plus, you will be introduced to medical fields like neuroscience, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and more.

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Why it stands out: The tutors you will be working with are from top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard.

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

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The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! 

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You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.

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Why it stands out: You get 1-1 mentorship with a Ph.D. mentor and produce an independent research project by the end.

4. Dolphin Research Center - Medical Department Internship

Location: Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; interns are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very limited; the number of positions is not publicly stated
Dates: Fall Term runs September - December; internships generally last 16-18 weeks at 40 hours per week
Application Deadline: June 1st for the Fall Term
Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 or older, speak and understand English, and be physically fit; you don’t need to be enrolled in college, and Dolphin Research Center welcomes interns from around the world

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The Medical Department Internship introduces you to marine mammal healthcare and is designed for people interested in entering the veterinary field as technicians and assistants. You support the medical team with daily tasks connected to animal health, treatments, diagnostic samples, medications, dietary protocols, and medical supplies. Activities may include assisting with procedures and treatments such as nebulisations, laser therapy, hydration, and topical treatments, along with the collection and processing of diagnostic samples. 

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You also attend classroom seminars and training courses and have access to a large onsite library of professional journals, articles, and books. Alongside department duties, every intern completes independent study goals connected to their own interests. With a minimum age of 18 and a full-time commitment, the internship suits graduating seniors best.

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Why it stands out: You gain sustained exposure to veterinary care for marine mammals while supporting the daily work of a specialised animal-health team.

5. Parkview Health FutureREADY Program

Location: Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Placement-based; priority goes to Parkview co-workers and students at regional partner schools
Dates: One semester, approximately 15 weeks
Application Deadline: No single deadline is published; requests are reviewed and placed according to Parkview’s posted timeline
Eligibility: High school students at a school that holds an affiliation agreement with Parkview; international eligibility not specified

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FutureREADY allows you to explore several healthcare careers during a semester-long internship rather than committing immediately to one role. You begin by selecting departments that interest you, and Parkview’s Education Services team places you in six separate week-long observations across clinical and non-clinical areas. 

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After those rotations, you identify the fields that interest you most and spend the remainder of the semester gaining deeper exposure to them. The programme can introduce you to healthcare careers ranging from patient-facing clinical roles to administrative and operational departments. You also need to meet Parkview’s student requirements before your placement begins. If you already know which department you want, explore these healthcare internships for high school students.

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Why it stands out: You rotate through six healthcare settings before concentrating on the areas that best match your interests.

6. Clinical Skills Internship - Fall Intensive Program by Stanford

Location: Online, delivered live through Zoom by Stanford Medicine
Cost/Stipend: $2,480 for the 10-week programme, plus a $75 application fee for new students; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size and acceptance rate are not publicly available
Dates: 10 weeks of Wednesday evening classes, 5:30-7:00 p.m. PT; the 2026 term ran September 9th to November 11th
Application Deadline: For Fall 2026, applications ran from May 1st to June 2nd and are now closed
Eligibility: High school and pre-medical students interested in medicine; the programme is delivered entirely online and accepts participants who can join the live sessions from around the world

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Stanford Medicine’s Clinical Skills Internship Fall Intensive is a ten-week live online programme that introduces you to skills taught early in medical training. You learn how to take vital signs, collect a patient history, build a differential diagnosis, practise suturing and injections, and examine anatomy through guided brain and kidney dissections. Weekly sessions also cover areas such as women’s health in primary care and student-led case presentations across different organ systems. 

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You participate in group activities designed to mirror the collaborative problem-solving used in healthcare. Stanford School of Medicine faculty provide mentorship and insight into medical careers throughout the programme. With every session held live, you actively practise and discuss the material rather than completing a self-paced online course.

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Why it stands out: You practise a broad set of introductory clinical skills through live Stanford-led sessions over an entire fall term.

7. Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science - SUPREMES

Location: Laboratories in the Greater Milwaukee Area, through the Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
Cost/Stipend: Cost not listed; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size is not publicly available
Dates: Academic year, September - May
Application Deadline: Applications open February 1st and are due April 4th
Eligibility: Milwaukee-area high school students in 11th or 12th grade with a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA who have completed or are taking Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I and II, and two years of English; the programme is locally based and is not designed for international students studying outside the U.S.

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SUPREMES is an academic-year programme that gives you experience in biomedical research, clinical research, and technology development in laboratories across the Greater Milwaukee Area. You join a research team as an active member while learning about career opportunities in research and the health professions. 

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Over the year, you conduct research, develop a manuscript and poster, and present your findings at the SUPREMES Symposium. You also collaborate with science and health professionals and build some research independence. In some cases, students may be included as authors on scientific publications, depending on their dedication and the quality of the data they gather. For more options like this, explore these biomedical research opportunities for high school students.

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Why it stands out: You join an active research team for a full school year and present your findings at the SUPREMES Symposium.

8. Medicina Academy Apprentice Program (MAAP)

Location: University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Cost not listed on the program page; no stipend is listed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size and acceptance rate are not publicly available
Dates: September - May, with sessions held twice a month on Saturdays
Application Deadline: The 2027-2028 cycle opens in January 2027; the 2026-2027 deadline was April 10th, 2026
Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders interested in medical careers that serve communities facing physician shortages, with at least conversational Spanish and a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA; preference is given to first-generation college-bound students. International eligibility not specified.

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Developed in 2009 by UIC’s Hispanic Center of Excellence, the Medicina Academy Apprentice Program is a pre-medical enrichment programme designed to prepare high school students for future study in medicine. You attend medical courses and activities, higher education courses, career-development sessions, and activities focused on communication and personal growth. Sessions take place twice a month on Saturdays, giving you sustained exposure to medical education rather than a one-time workshop. 

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The programme also introduces you to the academic preparation needed for college and medical school while encouraging you to think about careers in communities facing physician shortages. You submit a personal statement, recommendation letter, evaluation form, and unofficial transcript as part of the application. The experience is especially relevant if you want structured preparation for a future medical pathway.

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Why it stands out: You receive academic-year pre-medical preparation that combines medical coursework, career development, and support for students who want to serve communities facing physician shortages.

9. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)

Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: Not listed on the program page
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size is not publicly available
Dates: June 3rd - December 4th, 2027, with summer lab work followed by additional arranged time during the school year
Application Deadline: Applications open October 15th and close December 4th, 2026
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in Duval or St. Johns counties, Florida; international students studying outside these counties are not eligible

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Mayo Clinic’s SPARK programme places you in a biomedical research laboratory for an extended mentored research experience. You spend at least 40 hours each week in a mentor’s laboratory during the summer, working on a project in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, epidemiology, regenerative science, drug development, or artificial intelligence. You gain experience in basic science, the research process, critical thinking, and professional conduct in Mayo Clinic’s facilities. 

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Your work continues into the school year, and SPARK scholars enter their projects in science fairs, with many winning regional and state awards. Alumni have gone on to programmes such as Mayo Clinic’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship and Clinical Research Internship Study Program. The programme is best suited to you if you are ready for a serious research commitment rather than a short medical enrichment course.

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Why it stands out: You complete sustained biomedical research with a Mayo Clinic mentor that carries from summer into the fall and through science-fair competition.

10. Montefiore Einstein High School Research Program in Cancer (BEYOND ALBERT)

Location: Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid; a $2,500 stipend for completing the summer program, plus a daily meal voucher and an OMNY card
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size and acceptance rate are not publicly available
Dates: Eight-week full-time summer research experience from late June through August, followed by weekly Thursday sessions from September through May
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted from November 1st to January 12th
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors aged 16 or older by the summer start date who live in the Bronx and attend a Bronx high school; the programme is not open to general international applicants

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BEYOND ALBERT introduces you to cancer research by placing you with expert faculty at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center. During the eight-week summer session, you work in the laboratory full-time, Monday to Friday, alongside biomedical education sessions and workshops. From September through May, you return for weekly Thursday seminars, workshops, and mentorship sessions. 

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You also prepare an independent research presentation, receive college application support, and can earn up to 3 credits through the Lehman College Now program. The programme is designed to help Bronx high school students build confidence and preparation for future study in science and medicine. As a paid opportunity, it also reduces some of the financial barriers associated with intensive research.

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Why it stands out: You pair paid summer lab research with a full academic year of seminars and mentorship at Montefiore Einstein.

11. Northwestern Medicine Scholars Program (NM Scholars)

Location: Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Cost not listed; participants have access to a paid summer intensive experience that includes course credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size and acceptance rate are not publicly available
Dates: Multi-year programme; you join as a freshman and continue with your cohort through high school, including a four-week summer intensive
Application Deadline: Recruitment and application timing are coordinated through participating partner schools
Eligibility: Freshmen attending George Westinghouse College Prep, Daniel Hale Williams Medical Prep, or Bronzeville Scholastic Institute; the programme is not open to general international applicants

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The Northwestern Medicine Scholars Program provides a long-term pathway for students interested in becoming physicians or biomedical scientists. You receive learning and mentorship opportunities from Northwestern Medicine physicians and researchers while building familiarity with medical careers and biomedical science. The programme also includes college access and entrance support, along with test preparation. 

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Scholars can participate in a paid four-week summer intensive that provides course credit and practical experiences with Northwestern Medicine physicians. With entry limited to freshmen at three partner schools, this is a targeted pathway rather than a generally available pre-college programme.

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Why it stands out: You receive multi-year medical mentorship, college preparation, and a paid summer intensive through a structured Northwestern Medicine pathway.

12. PRISM High School Outreach Program - Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine

Location: Chicago, IL, through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club
Cost/Stipend: Cost not listed; no stipend is listed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small mentor groups; the overall cohort size and acceptance rate are not publicly available
Dates: Every other Tuesday from mid-September - late April, with breaks for Thanksgiving and winter holidays
Application Deadline: Participation is coordinated through the programme and its community partnership; a general public application deadline is not listed
Eligibility: High school students in Chicago participating through PRISM’s community partnership; the programme is aimed at local Chicago youth and is not open as a general international programme

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PRISM, or Promoting Inner-City Youth in Science and Medicine, introduces you to medicine through an academic-year series led by Northwestern Medical Scientist Training Program students. The year is split into three modules, each focused on a different physiological system and disease, and each module begins with a simulated patient interview before you study the physiology connected to the patient’s symptoms. You then complete laboratory activities, which can include dissections and experiments, before researching questions about disease epidemiology, treatment, or current medical research. 

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Small groups work with the same mentors throughout the year, allowing you to build an ongoing relationship rather than meeting a different instructor at every session. Some modules also include physician visits or field trips to locations such as the Feinberg anatomy laboratory or Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. The programme helps you practise clinical reasoning, research, scientific communication, and medical presentation skills.

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Why it stands out: You follow a patient case from interview and physiology through laboratory investigation and research while working consistently with Northwestern MD-PhD student mentors.

13. Cedars-Sinai High School Student Volunteers

Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid volunteer role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Seasonal volunteer sessions; check the program page for current fall session dates
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students interested in a healthcare career; check the program page for current age, GPA, and health requirements. International eligibility not specified.

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Cedars-Sinai’s High School Student Volunteers program gives you regular experience inside a major medical centre. You interact with patients and healthcare staff while learning firsthand how a large medical centre operates. The experience focuses on service, communication, reliability, and healthcare workplace exposure. 

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The programme is useful if you want first-hand experience of a hospital environment before deciding whether a healthcare career interests you. If you’d also like to observe physicians at work, explore these medical shadowing opportunities for high school students.

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Why it stands out: You gain regular patient-facing experience inside Cedars-Sinai through a structured volunteering commitment.

14. STEP-UP High School - Medical College of Wisconsin

Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost/Stipend: Cost not listed; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; applications are reviewed holistically, and cohort size is not publicly available
Dates: November - April; six Saturday sessions during the academic year
Application Deadline: Applications open June 15th and are due September 30th; the 2026-2027 cycle has closed
Eligibility: Students in Grades 9-12 enrolled in Milwaukee Public Schools or a charter/private school in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. The programme is locally based and is not designed for international students studying outside the Milwaukee area.

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STEP-UP High School introduces you to health science, medicine, and research careers through six interactive Saturday sessions during the academic year. You take part in age-appropriate activities designed to help you understand different healthcare pathways and what preparing for them involves. Sessions are led by college pre-med students, MCW students, practising physicians, and other health professionals, giving you exposure to people at different stages of healthcare careers. 

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Rather than concentrating on a single medical specialty, the programme helps you explore a range of health science career options while developing your interest in science and medicine. With sessions running from November through April, you have repeated opportunities to engage with the MCW community rather than attending a one-off event. The programme can help you explore whether medicine, research, or another health science pathway fits your future academic interests.

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Why it stands out: You explore multiple health science careers through six interactive sessions led by pre-med students, medical students, physicians, and other healthcare professionals at MCW.

15. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program

Location: Fremont, California, USA

Cost: $1,070 per term ($0 if financial need criteria are met); partial and full scholarships are available for underrepresented or socioeconomically disadvantaged students

Dates: September 1st - January 15th 

Application Deadline: August 15th 

Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12) with a strong interest in STEM; no prior research experience required; open to international students

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The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program offers students a unique opportunity to explore pre-collegiate research across a variety of scientific disciplines. With mentorship from experienced scientists and researchers, you engage in hands-on activities that involve working on real-world projects. These projects can lead to significant outcomes, including publications and presentations at academic conferences. 

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The collaborative environment encourages you to refine your research skills while delving deeply into topics you are passionate about. This program empowers aspiring scientists and engineers to make meaningful contributions in their fields. By the end of the program, you'll develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.

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Why it stands out: It provides high school students with hands-on experience on real-world research projects that often result in publications and presentations at academic conferences, significantly enhancing their college readiness and professional development. 

Frequently asked questions: Fall Medical Programs for High School Students

Are there medical programs for high school students during the school year?

Yes, several medical programs run from fall through spring rather than only in summer. Stanford’s Harris Neuroscience Internship runs September to May, UIC’s Medicina Academy Apprentice Program meets twice a month on Saturdays, and Northwestern’s PRISM meets every other Tuesday from mid-September to late April. Many of these programs are local, so check whether you need to live near a specific city or attend a partner school. You can also browse these fall research programs for high school students for more academic-year options.

Are fall medical programs for high school students free?

It depends on the program: some pay you, some are unpaid, and others charge tuition. Montefiore Einstein’s BEYOND ALBERT pays a $2,500 stipend for its summer session, while Dolphin Research Center’s internships are unpaid and interns cover their own housing, food, and transportation. Stanford’s Clinical Skills Internship costs $2,480 for 10 weeks, plus a $75 application fee for new students. Local pipeline programs such as STEP-UP and SUPREMES list no stipend, so check each program page for current costs before you apply.

Can you do a fall medical program online?

Yes, you can join several of these programs online. Stanford’s Clinical Skills Internship is taught live over Zoom on Wednesday evenings, so you can take part from anywhere in the world, and the Harris Neuroscience Internship holds its Journal Club meetings virtually for U.S.-based students. Immerse Education’s Online Research pathway in Medicine gives you 10 to 15 hours of 1:1 tutorials with a tutor from Oxford, Cambridge, or an Ivy League institution, and you can start any time. Explore these online medical programs for high school students for more remote options.

How old do you have to be to join a medical program in high school?

Age rules vary, and many programs set a minimum age or require you to be in a specific grade. BEYOND ALBERT requires you to be at least 16 by the summer start date, while Dolphin Research Center accepts interns only if they’re 18 or older. UIC’s MAAP accepts current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, and STEP-UP is open to students in grades 9 to 12. Check each program’s eligibility details carefully, since GPA and location requirements often apply too.

When should you apply for fall medical programs?

Plan to apply in winter or spring, since many fall programs set deadlines months before they start. Stanford’s Harris Neuroscience Internship accepts applications from January 4th to January 28th, 2027, and SUPREMES applications open February 1st and close April 4th. Stanford’s Clinical Skills Internship took applications from May 1st to June 2nd for its fall 2026 term, while STEP-UP opens June 15th and closes September 30th. Mark these dates early so you don’t miss a cycle.

Do fall medical programs help with college applications?

They can, especially when you stay involved for a full semester or school year. SUPREMES has you present research at its symposium, and SPARK scholars enter their projects in science fairs, giving you concrete work to describe in applications. BEYOND ALBERT lets you earn up to 3 credits through the Lehman College Now program, while Northwestern Medicine Scholars includes college access and entrance support. What matters most is explaining what you learned and how it shaped your interest in medicine.

Find the fall medical program that fits you

Your best fit depends on whether you want lab research, clinical skills, hospital volunteering, or mentorship that lasts through the entire school year.

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Many fall medical programs for high school students are tied to one city or partner school, so check location rules before anything else.

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Deadlines often fall in winter or spring, which means the program you join next September may need your application months in advance.

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To compare more healthcare paths and see where each one could lead, browse our Career Exploration blogs for practical guidance on choosing a career.