14 Medical Programs for High School Students in Burlington, VT
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you're interested in medicine or healthcare, participating in a structured program can help you explore the field beyond what you learn in science classes. These opportunities introduce you to areas such as clinical medicine, public health, neuroscience, veterinary science, biomedical research, and healthcare systems while helping you develop scientific thinking and communication skills. They also provide opportunities to learn from healthcare professionals, researchers, medical students, and educators.
Burlington is home to several healthcare and educational institutions that offer medical programs for high school students, including the University of Vermont, the UVM Medical Center, and local health science organizations. These opportunities range from career exploration workshops and mentorship programs to hospital volunteering, health science academies, research experiences, and medical enrichment programs that expose students to different aspects of healthcare.
Why should I attend a medical program in Burlington, VT?
Burlington offers access to academic medical centers, healthcare organizations, and university-based programs that allow students to explore a variety of medical and health-related fields. Depending on the program, you might observe healthcare environments, learn clinical skills, study human anatomy and neuroscience, participate in simulations, engage in research activities, or connect with medical professionals and students. Whether you're a local student or traveling from elsewhere, these programs can help you explore healthcare careers, build foundational knowledge, and gain a better understanding of the many paths available within medicine.
To help you explore your options, here are 14 medical programs for high school students in Burlington, VT!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an academic experience tailored for high school students who want to pursue in-depth, independent research. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work one-to-one on an independent research project. Over the course of 12 weeks, you'll work closely with your mentor to design and complete your research project. At the end of the program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics across a wide range of subject areas, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find additional details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Nationwide (Banfield Pet Hospitals)
Cost: Paid internship (varies by location)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Summer (part-time)
Application Deadline: Varies by hospital/location
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ with an interest in veterinary science
The NextVet Internship places you inside a veterinary clinic where you observe how patient care actually works. You will spend time shadowing veterinarians and technicians to observe how they examine animals, make decisions, and manage treatments. You may assist with basic tasks and see how a clinic operates day to day. Alongside the in-person work, there are virtual sessions where you connect with professionals and learn more about the field. You will also interact with different staff members and understand how roles are divided in a hospital setting. By the end, you have a clearer picture of veterinary medicine in practice.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program format (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling; you can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of the AI Scholars program
Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine program introduces high school students to the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You'll explore how machine learning models and AI-driven tools are used in medical research, diagnostics, and imaging analysis. The curriculum emphasizes practical problem-solving, allowing you to examine how technology supports disease detection and clinical decision-making. As you progress through the program, you'll build hands-on experience with technical tools while developing skills relevant to both medicine and computer science. The program is designed to help students interested in healthcare-related careers develop a strong foundational skill set in both domains.
Location: University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Year-round (minimum 6-month commitment; 3–4 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 17+ with an interest in healthcare environments
The VolunTeen Program at UVM Medical Center places you inside one of Vermont's largest hospitals, where you contribute directly to patient care environments. You will be assigned to departments such as pediatrics, cardiac rehabilitation, hematology/oncology support, or the Golisano Children's Hospital, depending on availability and interest. Your work involves greeting and guiding patients, assisting staff with non-clinical duties, and supporting patients and families during their hospital stay. You will observe how care teams coordinate across departments and get a close look at how a large academic medical center operates on a daily basis.
Location: Burlington, VT (Chittenden County; in partnership with UVM AHEC)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Year-round (varies by workshop)
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: High school students (grades 5–12, Chittenden County area)
Northern Vermont AHEC runs a series of interactive workshops where you explore what different healthcare careers actually involve. Each workshop is built around a specific area of medicine and led by working professionals who walk you through what their role requires day to day. You will take part in hands-on exercises, hear directly from practitioners, and learn how medical teams are organized across different settings. The sessions cover fields ranging from clinical medicine and public health to behavioral health and allied health professions. Some workshops are delivered in person while others run online, depending on scheduling.
Location: University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Year-round (varies by activity)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (grades 5–12, northern Vermont)
The UVM Larner College of Medicine, through its AHEC partnership, offers a range of enrichment activities that allow you to explore health sciences in a university medical school environment. You will participate in sessions covering topics such as human anatomy, health systems, and career pathways in medicine. Activities take place in UVM's academic facilities and give you early exposure to the kind of work done at a research-active medical school. Some sessions include access to the Clinical Simulation Laboratory and other specialized spaces within the college. You will interact with medical students, faculty, and healthcare professionals throughout. The activities are designed to help you understand what a medical education involves and what working in healthcare looks like at different levels.
Location: Burlington Technical Center / University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Open to all
Dates: Academic year (competition held annually in winter/spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by academic year
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in participating programs in the Burlington area
The Vermont Brain Bee is a neuroscience competition where you test your knowledge of the brain, nervous system, and neurological conditions against peers from across the state. You will study topics like brain anatomy, how neurons communicate, how neurological diseases develop, and how the brain processes sensation and behavior. Preparation involves independent study as well as sessions run through your school's health science program. Students connected to the Burlington Technical Center's Health Sciences Academy are regularly supported in participating. Competing gives you a structured reason to go deep into a subject that sits directly at the intersection of medicine, biology, and research.
Location: University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Cost: Sliding scale tuition (automatic financial aid model; reduces cost based on need)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – July 18 (with virtual sessions July 6 – July 9)
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Health & Medicine Institute brings you to the University of Vermont campus for a week, where you explore different areas of healthcare through direct practice and sessions. You will learn how to check vital signs, interact with patients, and understand basic clinical procedures. Workshops are led by healthcare professionals who show how their work is carried out. You will move across different fields such as emergency care, surgery, and biomedical research. Some parts of the program include certifications like CPR or first aid. The schedule is full, with a mix of labs, discussions, and hands-on work each day.
Location: Burlington, VT (through UVM Larner College of Medicine; virtual mentoring)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: October – December (fall semester)
Deadline: Not specified (interest form required before application opens)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12, northern Vermont residents)
The HERO Mentoring Program connects you with a medical student who meets with you regularly over a few months. You will discuss topics like human biology, healthcare systems, and medical careers. Each session gives you a chance to ask questions and understand how someone currently in medicine thinks about the field. You will also get help with planning your academic path and setting goals. The program is more focused on guidance and discussion rather than formal coursework. Over time, you build a clearer understanding of what studying medicine involves.
Location: University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Cost: $50 fee
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Year-round (scheduled individually; 2–3 weeks lead time required)
Deadline: Rolling (based on scheduling availability)
Eligibility: Students interested in medical environments (primarily UVM-associated participants)
The Scrub Training Workshop at UVM teaches you how to prepare for a surgical environment. You will learn how to scrub, gown, and glove using the same procedures followed in operating rooms. The session focuses on accuracy and following proper steps rather than rushing through it. You will also understand why these protocols matter for patient safety. The training happens in a controlled setting that mirrors a clinical space. It gives you a direct look at how hospitals maintain sterile environments.
Location: Burlington Technical Center, Burlington, VT
Cost: Free (public school CTE program)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified (application-based program within school district)
Dates: Academic Year (2-year program)
Deadline: Varies (school application timeline)
Eligibility: High school students (typically juniors and seniors in participating schools)
The Health Sciences Academy at Burlington Technical Center is a two-year program where you study medical topics alongside practical training. You will take courses in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology while also learning clinical skills like checking vital signs and running basic tests. The program includes activities like dissections, job shadowing, and simulated interviews. In your final year, you can work toward certifications such as EMT or phlebotomy. You will also receive support with college applications and career planning. The structure combines classroom learning with real clinical exposure.
Location: Burlington, VT (University of Vermont)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Year-round (varies)
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (grades 5–12, including high school participants)
UVM AHEC offers a series of activities where you explore healthcare careers through workshops and sessions. You will take part in hands-on exercises and learn how different roles in healthcare function. The program introduces you to patient care environments and how medical teams work together. Sessions vary depending on availability, but they all focus on giving you early exposure. You will also meet professionals who explain their work directly. The program helps you understand what different paths in healthcare look like.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895/course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple start dates offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and older
The HMX program from Harvard Medical School offers structured online courses where you study core medical science subjects like genetics, immunology, and physiology. You will move through lessons that combine video explanations with interactive elements and assessments that test your understanding. Each topic requires time, since you are expected to follow how systems work rather than just remember facts. You will also spend time revisiting concepts when they don’t fully make sense the first time. The program is self-paced, but you still need to stay consistent to complete each section.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application Fee: $45; Program Fee (if accepted): $2,400 (Financial Aid Available)
Dates: Session A: June 15–26; Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students attending a U.S. high school (entering Grades 9–12 in Fall); Must be 14 years or older by the start of the program
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship focuses on how artificial intelligence is applied within medical research and clinical systems. You will attend lectures that explain how AI models are used in areas like imaging and diagnostics, then work on projects that reflect those ideas. A large part of your time goes into understanding datasets, how models interpret them, and what the results actually mean. You will also interact with research engineers who guide your work and explain the steps behind each process. Alongside the technical work, there are sessions where professionals discuss how these tools are used in real healthcare settings. The program connects the technical side of AI with real medical use cases, so you can see both sides together.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.