10 Medical Programs for High School Students in Manhattan, KS
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
If you’re interested in medicine, participating in a structured program can help you explore the field beyond what you learn in biology or chemistry classes. These opportunities introduce you to topics such as healthcare, public health, biomedical science, and veterinary medicine while helping you develop analytical and communication skills. They also provide insight into the educational pathways and careers available across the medical field.
In and around Manhattan, medical programs are offered through universities, healthcare organizations, hospitals, and outreach initiatives. These opportunities range from short-term workshops and campus-based experiences to volunteering, mentorship programs, and subject-specific camps that introduce students to different areas of healthcare.
Why should I do a medical program in high school?
Participating in a medical program while in high school can give you a competitive edge, equipping you with the skills and knowledge that go far beyond standard classroom education. Another benefit is the boost to your college applications, as admissions officers at top-tier universities look for students who have proactively committed to their interests before college. These programs let you experience the daily realities of clinical or research settings, helping you determine which medical specialties resonate with you. Additionally, you will build connections with local healthcare professionals who can provide guidance and letters of recommendation for future opportunities.
To help you find the right fit, we have narrowed down 10 medical programs for high school students in Manhattan, KS.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, winter, fall, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose topics from subjects such as medicine, data science, international relations, psychology, engineering, chemistry, physics, economics, computer science, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: $820
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students/week
Dates: June 7 – 12 | June 21 – 26
Application deadline: Rolling; applications open in January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Health Professions Exploration Program is a week-long experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in careers in health care. You will learn about the various health professions and associated academic pathways within a small cohort. You will spend time exploring medical college study and professional training pathways. You will also hear from K-State experts, current students, alumni, and local professionals, who can offer insights into future academics and career paths. This structure can offer a structured look at campus life while helping you compare health professions.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks; the program is offered in multiple cohorts across spring, summer, and winter
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12 who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers various programs designed for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you will explore how AI and machine learning can be applied in healthcare and medical research. You will work on project-based tasks involving the development of AI models for applications such as disease diagnosis and medical imaging. The program also examines how AI-generated insights can support doctors and patients in medical decision-making. You will gain exposure to the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine while working on real-world scenarios. You can learn more about the program through its brochure and application form.
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: $125
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 27 (one-day camp)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12 and rising college freshmen
Vet Med ROCKS is a one-day camp designed to offer you a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine through labs, workshops, and direct interaction with veterinary faculty, staff, and current DVM students. The program is built around active learning, so you will spend time engaging in activities to explore veterinary medicine. You will get exposure to the key skills required for pursuing veterinary education, including observation, basic lab work, and problem-solving in an applied setting. The camp also creates opportunities to ask professionals questions about the path to veterinary school and the daily work of veterinarians. This mix of instructional activities and animal-related experiences offers a practical way to test your interest in the field.
Location: Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Manhattan, KS
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: No fixed dates; volunteer duration varies by person.
Application deadline: No formal deadline; applications accepted year-round
Eligibility: Open to all ages 16 and older; candidates must undergo a drug screen and a two-step TB test.
The Ascension Via Christi Hospital invites volunteers to assist the hospital staff with daily tasks. You will connect with healthcare professionals and take on tasks designed to improve patient comfort. You will begin with a four-hour orientation and training session. After this, you can choose to work for a few hours each week or a few days each week, depending on your schedule. The exact responsibilities vary by department, but you will gain exposure to patient care and the day-to-day operations of a hospital.
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: Free (includes T-shirt and lunch)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: April 8
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Primarily, students in grades 7–10; students in grades 11–12 can also attend.
The Social Impact Lab is a free, one-day event at Kansas State University where you will explore careers in helping professions like social work, counseling, health, and child and family services. The event is organized by K-State's School of Human Sciences and Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, and is funded by the College of Health and Human Sciences. During the program, you will take part in hands-on breakout sessions covering topics such as conflict resolution, disability access, brain development, and healthy relationships. You will also get to meet K-State faculty and students and spend time experiencing what a day on a college campus looks like. An optional campus tour is available after the main program ends.
Location: KU Medical Center, Kansas City, KS (about 2.5 hours away from Manhattan)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round activities
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school, undergraduate students, community college students planning to transfer to a four-year pre-health or health professions program, and adults who are educationally or economically underserved
U-CHaMP Ambassadors are students and adults who want to explore health professions programs while learning about health disparities in the community. The program offers structured shadowing opportunities, workshops, and meetings with professionals and students from the KU School of Health Professions. You will learn about health disparities in Kansas, explore career paths, and receive personalized guidance on preparing for college and graduate health programs. As a participant, you will build leadership skills while engaging in community-based experiences.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 30-minute session; date TBA
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Kansas high school and undergraduate prospective medical students
Jayhawk Doc 105 is a short virtual session that connects prospective medical students with current medical students. The format is conversational and focused on the path to medical school. You will interact with med students to get guidance on applying to medical school and preparing for career opportunities. You will also learn about early learning opportunities that you can access as a high schooler to prepare for advanced medical academics. The program can be especially useful for you if you want to hear directly from a near-peer who recently navigated the academic path you are planning to take.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Summer: $95 application fee + $4,580 program fee | Fall: $75 application fee + $2,480 program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Summer: February 9 | Fall: June 1
Dates: Summer: July 27 – August 7 | Fall: 10 weeks; dates TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduate pre-med students who are at least 16 years old
This Stanford program offers online hands-on learning experiences to high school and undergraduate pre-med students. During the program, you will learn about medical fields while attending lectures, participating in simulations, and joining expert-led activity-based sessions. You will also practice techniques such as administering injections, suturing, and performing physical exams. You will work on real-world clinical cases, learning how to diagnose and develop treatment plans. You will tackle medical challenges with a small group of peers. The curriculum is designed to help you learn about medical specialties and build the technical skills required for a career in medicine.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple one-, two-, and four-week sessions scheduled throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session; typically, one week before the session start date
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 or up
This online Wake Forest University program offers an overview of a doctor's routine in serving a patient, from emergency care to follow-up care. Through simulations, assignments, and videos, you will explore how a hospital operates from the perspectives of nurses, surgeons, and paramedics. You will also learn about the anatomy of the heart and the social factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. The program offers mentorship to help you work on assignments and a capstone project. For the project, you will choose a topic in medicine or healthcare and develop a presentation highlighting your understanding of the theme in a format of your choice.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.