Medical Internships for High School Students in San Diego, CA
Updated: Oct 17
Updated October 2026
TL;DR
San Diego has medical internships for high schoolers in labs, hospitals, and online. This list covers ten, from paid lab research at the Salk Institute to a hospital career pathway at Rady Children's and a remote startup internship with Ladder. Salk closes in mid-February, Stanford's SHTEM closes February 21, and Scripps closes March 30, while several programs list dates as TBA. If you want a remote option that you can start in any season, apply to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
If you’re thinking about a career in medicine, you might want to explore the field before deciding which direction to take. A medical internship can give you a closer look at areas such as lab research, genomics, neuroscience, and animal care. San Diego has opportunities across these fields, including programs that take place online. Since not every internship has the same eligibility rules, costs, or schedule, we’ve put together 10 options worth looking into. For opportunities beyond medicine, see our guide to STEM internships for high school students in San Diego.
What counts as a medical internship in San Diego?
Most programs here fall into three groups. Research internships put you in a lab with a mentor and a project of your own, such as the ones at Scripps, Salk, JCVI, and George Mason. Hospital and career pathways give you time in a clinical setting, like the veterinary hospital internship and the Rady Children's pathway. Online programs let you do research or startup work from home.
The groups are not interchangeable. A lab internship teaches you how scientists ask and test questions, while a hospital placement shows you how care teams work day to day. If you aren't sure which one you want, a short or online program is a low-risk way to try it.
Which medical internship fits what you want?
Use the table to narrow the list, then read the full entries below. Dates and deadlines are for the upcoming summer unless marked TBA.
If you want | Programs to look at |
A paid internship | |
Hands-on lab research | |
A remote or online option | |
Healthcare career exposure | |
College credit or a research paper | ASSIP at George Mason (3 college credits), Immerse Medicine Online Research Programme (research paper) |
When should you apply to San Diego medical internships?
Most deadlines fall between December and March, so start in the fall. Here is the order to watch:
December: Stanford SHTEM applications are expected to open December 7.
Early February: ASSIP typically closes (TBA).
February 15: Salk Heithoff-Brody Scholars Program deadline.
February 21: Stanford SHTEM deadline.
March 1 (most recent cycle): Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences.
March 30: Scripps Student Research Internship deadline.
Medical Internships for High School Students in San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships connects high school students with startups for an eight-week virtual internship. You’ll work on a real company project, usually spending 10–15 hours per week on assigned tasks and meetings with company management. Available fields can include technology, artificial intelligence, health tech, marketing, and journalism. You’ll receive guidance from your company manager and a Ladder coach, then present your work at the end of the internship.
Why it stands out: You get to work on a real startup project with guidance from company management and a Ladder coach, with the opportunity to build work you can showcase.
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California
Cost: Funding for the next session has not been determined
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 1–August 6 or June 14–August 6
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional students may apply. High school students must be at least 16 before the internship begins
The Scripps Research Translational Institute’s Student Research Internship Program gives you the chance to explore translational medical research over a 10-week summer internship. You’ll learn about genomics, digital health, and how researchers study and test new approaches to healthcare. You’ll be matched with a mentor based on your interests and develop an independent research project. You’ll share your work at the end-of-program poster symposium.
Why it stands out: You can work with a research mentor on an independent project and present your findings to scientists and fellow interns.
Location: Online
Cost: Varies based on the programme. Bursaries are available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; individual tutoring is available.
Program Dates: Flexible start dates throughout the year. The Classic programme includes 10 hours of learning; other pathways may be longer.
Application Deadline: Rolling enrolment, subject to availability.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18. Accredited pathways generally require students to be at least 14.
Immerse Education’s Medicine Online Research Programme lets you explore a medical topic with guidance from an academic tutor. You’ll develop your own research project, build skills in academic writing and referencing, and produce a research paper assessed by your tutor. You can choose from different study pathways, including options with additional teaching, academic credit, or support for submitting your work for publication. Tutors have backgrounds at institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge, although your tutor will depend on your chosen programme and subject.
Why it stands out: You can investigate a medical topic of your choice and receive individual guidance while developing a university-style research paper.
If you are looking for more research options, read our guide to summer research programs for high school students in San Diego.
Location: Participating Banfield Pet Hospital locations across the United States
Cost: Paid internship; current hourly rate not specified on the official programme page
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Typically 30 interns from more than 500 applicants
Program Dates: Summer; exact dates and duration for the next cohort are not confirmed
Application Deadline: Not specified. Check the official programme page for application updates.
Eligibility: Students aged 16 and older interested in exploring veterinary medicine. Additional requirements may vary by placement
The NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital gives you a chance to explore veterinary medicine in a working animal hospital. You’ll learn from veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other hospital team members while gaining a closer look at the daily work involved in caring for pets.
Why it stands out: You can learn about veterinary careers directly from hospital teams while gaining paid work experience.
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; some projects may offer remote or hybrid participation.
Cost: $25 application fee; fee waivers may be available for eligible applicants.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified.
Program Dates: Summer; exact dates for the next session should be confirmed on the official programme page.
Application Deadline: Typically early February; check the official website for the next application cycle’s deadline.
Eligibility: High school students must meet the programme’s minimum age requirement. Some wet-lab and hybrid projects may have a higher minimum age.
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) lets you work with faculty researchers on projects across different scientific fields. Depending on the available placements, you may explore areas such as neuroscience, bioengineering, molecular medicine, or proteomics. Project format and requirements vary, so check the official listing for details about each opportunity. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You can gain hands-on research experience by working with faculty on a project in your area of scientific interest.
Location: Virtual; a separate in-person experience may be offered for eligible local students
Cost: Virtual participants receive a $500 stipend, according to the programme information. In-person compensation and transportation support should be confirmed for the current cycle
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer; the virtual experience lasts five weeks
Application Deadline: Typically around March 1; check the official website for the current deadline
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from populations underrepresented in biomedical research. Eligibility and location requirements may differ between virtual and in-person experiences.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) introduces you to neuroscience and brain research through a five-week virtual experience. You’ll take part in educational sessions, learn about research methods, and receive mentorship and professional development. You can also connect with people working in brain science and explore possible careers in the field. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: The virtual experience gives you an introduction to neuroscience research and mentorship without requiring you to travel to Johns Hopkins.
If you want a remote option, read our guide to 10 online medical internships for high school students.
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, California
Cost: Stipend information is not specified on the official programme page
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Three-year pathway, beginning in the sophomore year of high school and continuing through senior year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores who live in the City Heights area of San Diego, subject to the programme’s current eligibility requirements.
FACES for the Future San Diego helps local high school students explore careers in healthcare. You’ll gain exposure to healthcare settings and learn from professionals while building skills for future study and work in the field. The programme also offers academic support, college advising, workshops, and other enrichment activities to help you prepare for life after high school.
Why it stands out: The three-year pathway combines healthcare career exposure with academic support and college preparation.
Location: In person at Stanford University, Stanford, California
Cost: $2,500 tuition plus a $95 nonrefundable application fee. Financial assistance may be available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified.
Program Dates: June 21–August 6
Application Deadline: February 21; applications are expected to open December 7.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 by June 20 and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Stanford’s SHTEM Summer Internships give you an opportunity to explore research across science, technology, engineering, and the humanities. You’ll join a small research group and work with mentors on a project that connects different fields. Topics may include computer science, neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, biology, engineering, and design. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You can work on an interdisciplinary research project with mentors from Stanford’s Compression Forum and its affiliated organizations.
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, California
Cost: Free; a stipend is provided, but the current amount is not specified.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified.
Program Dates: June 14–August 6, 2027
Application Deadline: February 15, 2027
Eligibility: San Diego County residents who attend high school in the county, are at least 16 by June 14, have completed high school biology, and have a minimum GPA of 2.75. Chemistry is preferred.
You’ll spend eight weeks working with Salk scientists on a research project and learning how laboratory research works. You’ll build skills in lab techniques, bioinformatics, data analysis, and science communication through research, seminars, and career workshops. You’ll also present your findings at the Summer Scholars Research Symposium.
Why it stands out: You’ll work one-on-one with a Salk scientist on a research project and present your findings at the institute’s summer symposium.
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland
Cost: No tuition fee; high school interns are paid $18 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: TBA (typically May–August; internships last around 10–15 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 16 or older who live in the United States, are eligible to work in the U.S., have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and will be enrolled full-time in school for the upcoming academic year.
The J. Craig Venter Institute’s Summer Internship Program gives you the chance to work with scientists on research related to genomics, synthetic biology, infectious disease, or bioinformatics. You’ll have a dedicated mentor, use scientific equipment and technology, and join research activities suited to your academic experience. You’ll also attend journal clubs, scientific seminars, and career workshops, then present your work in a judged poster presentation.
Why it stands out: You’ll work with a dedicated research mentor and present your findings in a judged scientific poster session.
Which internship fits your age and location?
Age and where you live decide most of the options. Use this table to see where you qualify.
If you are | Programs to look at |
Under 16 | Immerse Medicine Online Research Programme (ages 13 to 18), Rady Children's FACES for the Future (sophomores in City Heights) |
16 or older | |
A San Diego County resident | |
A current junior or senior | Stanford SHTEM, Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences, plus any program above |
Living outside San Diego |
More medical internship guides from Lumiere
If you want to keep exploring, these guides cover more programs:
15 medical internships for high school students: national options.
Medical internships for high school students in NYC: if you're open to the East Coast.
Medical internships for high school students in Chicago: Midwest options.
Texas hospital internships for high school students: hospital-based placements.
Medical internships for high school students in Michigan: more regional picks.
What San Diego students ask most about these medical internships
1. Do I need biology or chemistry classes first?
Only for some. One lab program asks for high school biology and chemistry, and a few look for strong STEM grades, but most don't list a course requirement.
2. Is this mostly lab research, or will I get hospital experience?
Mostly lab research. One is a three-year hospital pathway for local students, one is a working animal hospital, and the online options focus on research writing or startup projects.
3. Do these internships end with a presentation?
Most do. The lab research internships end with a poster, symposium, or research meeting, and the startup internship ends with you presenting your work.
4. Do these internships pay, and do any charge a fee?
Both. Several pay stipends or hourly wages, and a few charge fees from a $25 application fee to $2,500 in tuition, with waivers or aid at some. If cost is a concern, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers full financial aid and runs fully remote.