10 Best Pre-Med Programs for Middle School Students

Exploring medical research programs for middle school students can be a powerful way to get a head start on a future in healthcare. These programs offer early exposure to college-level academics, hands‑on experiments, and meaningful practical skills, from anatomy and first aid to emergency medicine simulations and lab‑style thinking. They also help students build connections with peers, mentors, and professionals in the field, which can be valuable for future opportunities. Importantly, many programs offer financial aid or vary in cost, making them a more accessible way to explore medicine before committing to expensive summer camps or high school electives. For students interested in medicine, applying for scholarships or financial aid can make these programs even more realistic. 

We selected programs that appear rigorous, provide networking and mentorship opportunities, sometimes offer full or partial funding, and are sponsored by well-regarded institutions. Below are ten of the most promising programs for middle schoolers with medical or biomedical interests, arranged roughly from most to least selective or prestigious based on available information.

10 Best Pre-Med Programs for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP)

Location: Remote

Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8

Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings. 

2. Medical Physician Preparation (MPP) Academy

Location: Hybrid (Online and multiple U.S. campuses including UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, and others)

Cost/Stipend: Online: $450–$900 for summer; $612/month during academic year; financial aid available. Tuition waived for families earning under $85,000 annually.

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates:

• Winter Term: January 25 – March 29

• Spring Term: April 12 – June 14

• Summer Term: June 21 – August 23

• Fall Term 1: August 30 – November 1

• Fall Term 2: November 8 – January 17

Application Deadline: Two weeks before the start of each term

Eligibility: Open to students in grades 4–12 (divided into elementary, middle, and high school groups); international students welcome

The MPP Academy is an early outreach program designed to prepare students for careers in medicine and healthcare. You’ll take courses in science, leadership, and college readiness while participating in clinical skills labs and hands-on activities. The program runs year-round, with flexible online and on-campus options, including summer intensives and weekend sessions. Admission includes a multi-step process that considers academics, extracurriculars, interviews, and teacher recommendations. Financial aid and merit scholarships are available for students from all income levels.

3. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required

Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end. 

4. Columbia State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates:

• Summer: July 6 – July 31

• Academic Year: Saturdays, October – May (TBD)

Application Deadline:

• Summer: April 15

• Academic Year: November 1

Eligibility: New York State residents in grades 7–12 who are economically disadvantaged and/or academically in need of STEM enrichment; must have at least an 80% average, especially in math and science

S-PREP is a no-cost academic enrichment program aimed at preparing middle and high school students for college and careers in medicine or STEM fields. You’ll attend weekend or summer classes in subjects like biochemistry, anatomy, calculus, and physics, alongside test prep and college readiness workshops. The program also includes college tours, field trips, and access to mentoring and research internships at Columbia. If selected, you may apply for additional summer research opportunities like BRAINYAC or YES in THE HEIGHTS. Admission is based on academic performance, interest in STEM, and the ability to commit to the program schedule.

5. Rutgers Science Medicine and Related Topics (SMART) 

Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ

Cost/Stipend: Winter: $75 | Summer: $350 | Application Fee (Summer only): $25 | No financial aid available

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates:

• Winter: January 24 – March 14 (Saturdays, 9 AM–12 PM; hybrid format)

• Summer: Dates TBD

Application Deadline: December 19 (Winter)

Eligibility: New Jersey residents in grades 6–11 (Winter) and rising grades 7–12 (Summer); must show academic potential and an interest in health science

The SMART Program at Rutgers NJMS is a hybrid pre-college pathway program focused on developing students' interest in health, science, and research. Through hands-on STEM activities, teamwork, presentations, and career exploration, you’ll strengthen your academic skills while exploring various health careers. Sessions are led by NJ-certified science teachers and medical professionals, with opportunities for virtual and in-person learning. Participation also includes educational field trips and college fairs in the summer session. Students are admitted on a rolling basis, and strong early applications are encouraged due to limited class sizes.

6. Rice University’s Precollege Program – Medicine: Diagnostics, Treatment, and Patient Care

Location: Online (offered by Rice University)

Cost/Stipend: $1,795; need-based scholarships available

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: 

• December 21 – January 4 (2 weeks)

• January 4 – February 1 (4 weeks)

• January 18 – February 15 (4 weeks)

Application Deadline: Varies by session, e.g., December 14 for the December 21 start date

Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up

This 100% online course introduces you to the diagnostic and treatment process in modern medicine, with a focus on cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine system disorders. You’ll learn from video lectures, real-life simulations, and guided mentoring as you explore how doctors diagnose patients and communicate with them. Each course ends with a capstone case study where you apply what you’ve learned to assess a multi-system patient case. There’s flexibility in course length, and you can apply without submitting transcripts or recommendations. Scholarships are available if you demonstrate financial need.

7. Rosalind Franklin University Mini Medical School

Location: Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: Saturdays during the academic year (specific schedule not published)

Application Deadline: Opens in Fall

Eligibility: Students in grades 4–8 from local neighborhoods around RFUMS

The Mini Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University offers a free, hands-on enrichment program for elementary and middle school students interested in health sciences. Over the academic year, you’ll explore topics across seven organ systems, participate in dissections, and engage in interactive lessons alongside role models in healthcare. Returning students can advance to Year 2, which includes a student-led science fair project. A parallel Parent Hero Academy supports families with tools and knowledge to assist your academic journey. The program begins with a symbolic White Coat Ceremony and ends with a graduation celebration.

8. Summer Springboard Middle School Medicine on the Campus of UC San Diego

Location: UC San Diego, San Diego, CA

Cost/Stipend: Residential: $2,998 | Commuter: $1,498 | Supplemental Fee: $250 | Application Fee: Starts at $99 (non-refundable)

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates:

• Session 1: June 28 – July 3

• Session 2: July 5 – July 10

• Session 3: July 12 – July 17

Application Deadline: Rolling; early application advised before November 30 for lower tuition

Eligibility: Students completing grades 6–8

This one-week course is designed for middle school students interested in medicine and emergency care. You’ll learn practical skills like CPR, splinting, and suturing through hands-on simulations led by medical professionals. The program also includes a simulated emergency room triage scenario where you’ll work as a team to assess and treat patients. Activities are structured around interactive labs and age-appropriate clinical challenges that mimic real-world medical situations. Instructors with extensive healthcare backgrounds guide you through diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning. The program is geared toward students eager to explore medical careers in a high-energy, immersive environment.

9. Wake Forest Regenerative Medicine Academy 

Location: Virtual with optional in-person component in Winston-Salem, NC

Cost/Stipend: Approx. $50 materials cost for Virtual Academy | No tuition listed

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; 8–10 students accepted to the 4-week in-person program

Dates: July 13 – 17

Application Deadline: March 15

Eligibility: Students ages 14–18 worldwide

The Virtual Academy at Wake Forest introduces students to the field of regenerative medicine through a mix of live Zoom sessions, interactive labs, and expert-led discussions. Over five days, you’ll engage in hands-on experiments using household materials, explore biomedical topics with faculty researchers, and attend sessions on STEMM careers. Each day runs from mid-morning to early afternoon, with lessons covering topics like tissue engineering and the future of medical technologies. An optional in-person day at WFIRM includes lab tours, demonstrations, and a closing celebration. This program is built for curious, motivated students looking to deepen their exposure to medical research in a flexible and accessible virtual format.

10. Pre-Medical Sciences Choice Academy

Location: Boca Raton, FL

Cost/Stipend: Free (public school choice program)

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Lottery-based admission

Dates: School year (grades 6–8)

Application Deadline: January 30 (late applications accepted through May 22)

Eligibility: Open to all Palm Beach County middle school students; strong academic habits recommended

This three-year academy provides middle school students with early exposure to medical careers through progressively advanced electives. In 6th grade, you’ll learn about wellness, mental health, and the history of medicine; by 8th grade, you’ll earn high school credit through CPR certification and 20 hours of virtual job shadowing. The curriculum includes hands-on simulations, guest speakers, and a deep dive into human anatomy and healthcare systems. Students also have the opportunity to complete an accelerated science track, finishing middle school science standards by 7th grade and earning high school credit in Environmental Management by 8th. The program is designed to prepare students for high school medical academies while fostering early interest in healthcare professions.

Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation. 

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