As a high school student interested in medicine, you might find yourself curious about what the journey toward becoming a doctor actually looks like. Pre-med internships for high school students can help you explore the field beyond classroom science by connecting biology, clinical observation, research, communication, problem-solving, and healthcare systems in real medical settings.

Picture yourself observing healthcare environments, learning basic laboratory techniques, discussing patient cases with mentors, or contributing to research projects alongside peers who share similar interests. Through a pre-med internship, you can develop practical skills such as interpreting scientific information, understanding research methods, building communication and teamwork abilities, and learning how medical professionals approach real-world challenges.

Beyond the technical aspects, these experiences can also give you exposure to university-style learning and help you understand the day-to-day realities of healthcare and medicine.

How do you choose the right pre-med internship for high school students?

Across pre-med internships, you’ll encounter areas such as clinical research, genetics, neuroscience, public health, laboratory sciences, and emerging medical technologies. Programs can range from hospital observations and biomedical research experiences to mentorship-based internships that combine academic learning with practical exposure. That’s why getting the right information is important, so you can pick the pre-med program best suited for you.

To help make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of the 15 best pre-med internships for high school students. They’ve been selected for their mentorship opportunities, practical learning experiences, and exposure to university and healthcare environments.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online medicine program.

15 Pre-Med Internships for High School Students

1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program

Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee applies; waivers are available / No stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 50-60 students
Dates: June 8th – July 30th
Application Deadline: February 21st
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are 16 years or older by the beginning of the program; applicants must currently live and attend high school in the United States and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents; not open to international students

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program is one of the more prestigious and research-intensive pre-med internships for high school students, giving you direct exposure to university-level biomedical research. In this program, you join a research group and work with faculty members, researchers, and mentors across fields such as neuroscience, immunology, stem cell biology, bioengineering, and genetics.

You also attend seminars, discussions, and mentoring sessions that introduce you to scientific careers and different pathways within medicine and healthcare. By working within a university research setting, you build experience in critical thinking, scientific communication, and understanding how research contributes to medical discovery.

Why it stands out: You work directly on ongoing biomedical research projects within Stanford laboratories while receiving mentorship from researchers and medical scientists.

2. Immerse Education’s Medicine Summer School

Location: Cambridge, London, New York, Singapore, and Sydney
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; international students welcome

Immerse’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. Magee-Womens Research Institute: High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Stipend: $1,800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 15-20 students are selected annually
Dates: June 15th – July 24th
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors, age 16+, with primary residence in southwest Pennsylvania; not open to international students

Through the Magee-Womens High School Summer Internship Program, you explore medicine through a research environment focused on human health and biomedical sciences. You work with researchers and mentors while gaining exposure to topics related to genetics, reproductive sciences, developmental biology, and clinical research. Throughout the program, you learn how scientific questions are investigated and how research methods are used to better understand health conditions and patient outcomes.

You also participate in educational sessions and discussions that introduce you to different pathways within medicine and healthcare. By spending time in a medical research setting, you gain a clearer understanding of how scientific research contributes to patient care and future medical advancements.

Why it stands out: You gain hands-on exposure to biomedical research while working with mentors on projects focused on women’s health and medical science.

4. Houston Methodist’s Summer Internship Program

Location: Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; acceptance rate is not publicly available
Dates: May 26th – July 31st
Application Deadline: January 30th
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the beginning of the program and legally authorized to work in the United States; not open to international students requiring sponsorship

Houston Methodist’s Summer Internship Program is one of the more clinically connected and research-focused pre-med internships for high school students, placing you in an active healthcare and scientific environment. Through the Houston Methodist High School Emerging Researcher Experience, you explore medicine from a research perspective while collaborating with researchers and mentors as you learn how medical questions are investigated through laboratory and translational research.

You also participate in seminars and educational sessions that introduce you to different pathways in medicine, biomedical sciences, and healthcare research. By spending time within a medical research institute, you gain a stronger understanding of how research contributes to future clinical care and medical innovation.

Why it stands out: You gain direct exposure to translational medical research while working alongside physician-scientists in an active healthcare research setting.

5. Summer Internship Program – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Location: Bethesda, Maryland and Framingham, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 1,000 interns are selected annually across the entire program
Dates: 6-8 weeks during the summer (typically May – August)
Application Deadline: Mid-to-late February
Eligibility: High school seniors and students at higher educational levels who are 18 years or older by the program start date; applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents; not open to international students

The NHLBI Summer Internship Program allows you to explore medicine through hands-on research experiences within NIH laboratories. You work with principal investigators and research teams studying topics related to cardiovascular health, pulmonary diseases, blood disorders, and other biomedical areas. Throughout the internship, you participate in ongoing scientific work and learn how medical questions are translated into research studies and laboratory investigations.

The program also includes mentoring opportunities and professional development sessions that introduce you to pathways in medicine, healthcare, and biomedical sciences. By spending time in an active research environment, you develop a stronger understanding of how scientific research contributes to clinical and medical progress. 

Why it stands out: You work directly with NIH researchers while contributing to active biomedical research projects in a nationally funded scientific environment.

6. Mayo Clinic’s Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK) 

Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 2nd – December 3rd
Application Deadline: December 31st
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled at schools in Duval County or St. Johns County, Florida; applicants must have a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA and be available for the mandatory first two weeks of orientation and training; not open to international students

The Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program allows you to explore pre-med interests through sustained biomedical research experience at Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus. You work with mentors in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, regenerative sciences, epidemiology, and molecular biology. Because the program continues beyond the summer, you gain a longer view of how medical research develops from an initial question into a structured project.

You also learn how researchers use laboratory methods, data analysis, and scientific communication to study human health and disease. By producing a research project and preparing it for a science fair presentation, you build skills that are useful for future pre-med coursework, research opportunities, and healthcare-focused academic paths.

Why it stands out: You gain extended mentored research experience at Mayo Clinic while developing a science fair-ready biomedical research project.

7. Max Planck Florida Institute (MPFI) High School Internship

Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida
Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 6-8 students
Dates: June 22nd – July 31st
Application Deadline: February 8th
Eligibility: Students entering junior or senior year at a Palm Beach or Martin County high school, residing in Palm Beach or Martin County, 16 years or older by the program start date, and legally authorized to work in the U.S.; not open to international students

In this program, you can apply to tracks in neuroscience, scientific programming, mechanical engineering, or programming/coding for public engagement, depending on your interests and background. Through the neuroscience track, you may gain exposure to wet lab methods such as genetic engineering, microbiology preparations, histological staining, and microscopy.

Students in technical tracks may work with tools such as Python, MATLAB, Java, SolidWorks, machining equipment, HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, depending on the project. By working alongside MPFI scientists and preparing both a written abstract and final presentation, you build research, communication, and problem-solving skills useful for future pre-med or biomedical science pathways.

Why it stands out: You gain paid, full-time research experience at a neuroscience institute while working on projects that connect biology, technology, and medical research.

8. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)

Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~20 students
Dates: June 29th – August 7th
Application Deadline: January 21st
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who attend high school in Massachusetts within commuting distance of the Broad Institute; applicants must have earned a B or better in science and math classes and be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with employment authorization; not open to international students without U.S. work authorization

Few pre-med internships for high school students offer this level of exposure to genomics, disease research, and biomedical discovery. The Broad Summer Scholars Program lets you explore medicine through the research side of biomedical science, working with scientists at the Broad Institute on projects connected to human disease, genomics, infectious disease, cancer biology, psychiatric disease, or computational biology.

You also attend scientific talks, career sessions, and a college fair that introduce you to different academic and professional pathways in health-related fields. By presenting your work in a final poster session, you gain practice explaining scientific findings in a format commonly used in medical and research settings. 

Why it stands out: You conduct original biomedical research with Broad scientists while gaining exposure to genomics, disease research, and scientific presentation.

9. Boston Medical Center – Junior Summer Volunteer Program

Location: Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; around 70 students
Dates: June 29th – August 21st
Application Deadline: Rolling until 100 forms are received
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 by the beginning of the program; applicants must meet immunization and hospital onboarding requirements; not open to international students unless independently eligible to participate locally

Not all pre-med internships for high school students are centred on laboratory research; the Junior Summer Volunteer Program at Boston Medical Center gives you a closer look at hospital service and patient support. You gain exposure to healthcare by spending time within a working hospital environment, interacting with healthcare staff and observing how different departments support patients and contribute to daily hospital operations.

The experience also introduces you to the pace and responsibilities associated with hospital environments beyond what you might learn in a classroom. By participating in a real healthcare setting, you gain early insight into medical careers and a clearer understanding of whether medicine and healthcare pathways align with your interests.

Why it stands out: You gain early exposure to a real hospital setting while learning how different healthcare teams work together to support patient care.

10. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship

Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 12 students
Dates: June 15th – August 7th (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 31st
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors) attending schools in the Miami-Dade and Broward area, with strong academic performance in biological and/or computational sciences; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; not open to international students

The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship introduces you to biomedical research through direct participation in projects at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. You are paired with faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, or research staff and become part of active research teams working in areas such as genomics, genetics, and computational biology.

You spend the summer contributing to ongoing scientific work, analyzing data, and learning how researchers investigate questions related to human disease. You also receive mentorship and guidance designed to help you understand future academic pathways in medicine, biomedical sciences, and research. The internship concludes with students presenting their research and reflecting on their scientific experiences.

Why it stands out: You work alongside researchers in an active medical school environment while gaining paid, hands-on experience in genetics and biomedical research.

11. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; approximately 20-30 students
Dates: June 22nd – August 14th
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Students entering senior year of high school who are 16 years or older by the program start date; currently reside in Greater Seattle or surrounding areas, and can attend the full eight-week program in Seattle; not open to international students

The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program helps you explore medicine through biomedical and cancer research in a professional research setting. You begin with training in laboratory safety and research methods before joining a mentored research group for the main part of the internship. Through this structure, you learn how scientists investigate disease-related questions and how research contributes to future prevention, diagnosis, and treatment approaches.

You also take part in seminars and college/career workshops that introduce you to different scientific and healthcare pathways. By presenting your work at the end of the program, you gain experience communicating research findings in a format commonly used in medical and scientific communities. 

Why it stands out: You receive paid, mentored research experience at a major cancer research center while building laboratory, career-readiness, and scientific presentation skills.

12. Johns Hopkins University: The Immersive Summer Program for Education, Enrichment, and Distinction (ISPEED) in Biomedical Engineering

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Stipend: One-time need-based stipend of up to $2,400
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 18-30 students
Dates: June 29th – July 24th
Application Deadline: March 16th
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (10th-11th grade) who are 15-17 years old during the program period; applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents; not open to international students

In this program, you participate in a project-based curriculum focused on areas such as life sciences, quantitative sciences, healthcare design, and biomedical problem-solving rather than learning only through traditional lectures. Throughout the program, you work on hands-on activities, research tasks, laboratory exercises, and presentations that mirror the way biomedical engineers approach real healthcare challenges.

You also interact with faculty members, tour research laboratories, attend STEM seminars, and experience residential student life on campus. The program gives you insight into how medicine extends beyond direct clinical practice into research and technology development. Students also earn college credit upon completion of the program.

Why it stands out: You combine hands-on biomedical projects with research exposure and a residential university experience while earning college credit.

13. UHealth High School Student Research Trainee Program

Location: University of Miami Health System (UHealth), Miami, Florida
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited spaces
Dates: June 16th – August 7th
Application Deadline: April 30th
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 by the beginning of the program; meet immunization, health screening, and onboarding requirements; pass a security background check, drug screen; not open to international students

In this program, you assist with non-clinical responsibilities while interacting with healthcare teams and observing how different departments support patient care and daily hospital operations. You spend time within a functioning medical system and gain insight into the roles and responsibilities involved in patient-centered environments. Throughout the program, you interact with staff members and learn how communication, teamwork, and organization contribute to healthcare delivery.

By spending time in a large academic health system, you gain a clearer understanding of the pace, structure, and collaborative nature of medical settings. The experience can help you explore whether medicine, nursing, healthcare administration, or other health-related pathways align with your future interests.

Why it stands out: You gain exposure to an academic medical center while learning how different healthcare professionals and departments work together to support patient care.

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

Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, New York
Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; <20 students
Dates: Summer session: July – August (8 weeks); optional academic-year continuation runs September – May
Application Deadline: January 12th
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old, entering 11th or 12th grade, and attend high school in the Bronx; not open to international students

Through the BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program, you explore medicine through hands-on exposure to biomedical and cancer research within an academic medical setting. You work with researchers and mentors while learning how scientists investigate diseases, analyze findings, and develop research questions connected to human health. Throughout the experience, you gain exposure to laboratory work, scientific thinking, and the process of translating research into broader healthcare knowledge.

The program also includes workshops and mentorship activities that introduce you to pathways in medicine, biomedical sciences, and healthcare careers. By participating in an active research environment, you gain a stronger understanding of how research contributes to disease understanding, patient care, and future medical innovation.

Why it stands out: You gain hands-on cancer research experience while receiving long-term mentorship and college-readiness support within an academic medical center.

15. Summer Student Program – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 20 interns per summer
Dates: June 29th – August 21st
Application Deadline: February 6th
Eligibility: Current high school junior, 14+ years old by June, 3.5 science GPA, permanent address within 25 miles of MSK Main Campus, and authorized to work in the US; not open to international students

In this program, you work with researchers and mentors on projects related to cancer biology, genetics, computational biology, immunology, and other areas connected to human disease research. You become involved in active research environments where you gain exposure to scientific investigation, laboratory methods, and data analysis. Throughout the program, you attend seminars, career discussions, and educational activities that introduce you to different pathways within medicine and biomedical sciences.

You also develop experience presenting research findings and communicating scientific ideas in a professional setting. The internship can help you understand how research contributes to medical discovery and whether research-oriented pathways align with your future academic goals.

Why it stands out: You gain hands-on cancer research experience within one of the world’s leading cancer centers while working alongside researchers and physician-scientists.

From Research Experience to Medical Insight

Research experience becomes more meaningful when you connect lab findings, clinical questions, patient needs, and scientific curiosity with the wider path into medicine.

The 15 pre-med internships for high school students featured here can introduce biomedical research, hospital settings, mentorship, healthcare teamwork, and the thinking behind medical decisions.

Each programme can help you reflect on what excites you most, whether disease research, patient care, genetics, neuroscience, public health, or biomedical innovation.

Want to keep building that insight after your internship? Read our Medicine Top Books Guide for inspiring, accessible books that deepen your understanding and sharpen your next questions in medicine.