15 Cardiology Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 12
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 11
If you're a high school student curious about the human heart and how medicine can save lives, cardiology is a powerful field to explore. From surgical simulations to lab-based research, there are many ways to get hands-on experience and see what working in cardiovascular health is really like. Whether you’re thinking about a future in medicine or just want to learn more about how the heart works, these programs offer a meaningful starting point. This list focuses on cardiology summer programs for high school students that are highly selective, hosted by prestigious institutions, offer meaningful networking or mentorship opportunities, or provide financial aid to broaden access.
Some of the 15 cardiology summer programs emphasize clinical skills like CPR and ultrasound, while others focus on research, imaging, or cardiothoracic surgery. Some even let you work with physicians or contribute to real-world research. Many of these opportunities also give you access to experts, peer communities, and insights into college-level science.
15 Cardiology Summer Programs for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Several deadlines year-round. You can find more details about the application here.
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor from a top university. Over 12 weeks, you’ll develop a deep understanding of your chosen topic, from exploring current literature to identifying a focused research question and writing a full-length paper. Weekly one-on-one sessions ensure that you’re supported through every stage of the research process, with additional guidance available for students aiming to publish their work in academic journals. The program emphasizes advanced, self-directed learning across a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, data science, biology, and more. You can also customize your own research topic if it is not already available.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: The program fee is $4,500 (includes all supplies) + $95 (application fee). Scholarships/financial aid are available for U.S. citizens with demonstrated financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 30 students each year
Dates: Program 1: June 23 – July 4 | Program 2: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old at the start of the internship (exceptions are made if the student is a junior)
The Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center offers one of the most rigorous cardiology summer programs for high school students exploring careers in medicine and science. You’ll study cardiothoracic anatomy, physiology, and disease while learning core surgical skills like suturing, knot tying, and instrument handling. Daily lectures cover topics such as valve and bypass surgeries, heart transplants, and congenital heart disease. In the afternoons, you’ll practice techniques on simulation models with guidance from Stanford faculty and surgical residents. You'll also examine diagnostic tools like ECGs and echocardiography, and observe porcine heart prosections to better understand cardiac structure.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round. The program takes 10 weeks to complete
Application Deadline: Several deadlines year-round. Here's the application form.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience in Python
The Veritas AI Deep Dive: AI + Medicine is a 10-week project-based course for high school students interested in how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of healthcare. You’ll begin by learning foundational concepts like medical data handling, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and neural networks, then move on to advanced techniques including image segmentation, transfer learning, and clinical evaluation. Throughout the course, you’ll gain practical experience using AI and machine learning tools to solve real medical challenges, such as enhancing scan quality, aiding in disease diagnosis, and interpreting model outputs for clinical use. You’ll collaborate on a group project with 3–5 peers, guided by AI experts and supported by curated learning resources like programming notebooks and lectures. For students interested in cardiology, the course touches on applications relevant to cardiovascular medicine, including hospital admission prediction and diagnostic imaging.
Location: Virtual/American College of Cardiology, Washington, DC, for Camp Cardiac
Cost/Stipend: Information not provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is not available
Dates: Year-long
Application Deadline: June 14 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students interested in cardiology, science, or healthcare
The ACC Young Scholars Program is a year-long initiative for students looking to pursue a career in cardiology or related fields. You’ll gain exposure to the field of cardiovascular medicine and build connections with professionals across the country through virtual webinars, mentorship, and research-focused sessions. One of the key components of the program is Camp Cardiac, a hands-on, in-person experience where you'll learn practical skills like CPR, AED use, and ultrasound techniques, while also hearing directly from cardiovascular professionals about their career paths. Throughout the year, you’ll be matched with a mentor from the American College of Cardiology and may have opportunities to attend local hospital visits or ACC State Chapter meetings. Select students are invited to attend a national ACC conference to present their research, engage with clinicians and researchers, and explore current developments in the field.
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: A minimum stipend of $500 is given to all students; stipends of $2,500 and above may be given on a needs-based system
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~3%; 50 students are accepted
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old, currently live in and attend a high school in the U.S., and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an intensive eight-week internship where you can engage in hands-on biomedical research. You'll work under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers, gaining direct exposure to the scientific process in a professional lab setting. The program aims to increase your understanding of biological sciences and medicine while helping you build a strong foundation in research methods and scientific thinking. One of the available research tracks is through the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, where you can explore cardiovascular biology in depth. This track allows you to contribute to real-world investigations into heart function, disease, and treatment.
Location: NIH labs in Bethesda, MD, and Framingham, MA
Cost/Stipend: Interns receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~7%
Dates: Interns can start on May 19th, May 27th, or June 2nd. Poster day takes place on August 7 and 8
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: High school seniors or college/university students who are 18 years or older, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The NHLBI Summer Internship Program offers high school students a prestigious opportunity to work under the mentorship of NIH investigators on real-world projects that span basic, translational, and clinical research. While the program broadly covers biomedical science, you can tailor your application to focus on specific interests, such as cardiology, cardiovascular disease, or organ-specific systems, by reaching out directly to NHLBI researchers whose work aligns with your goals. If accepted, you’ll gain hands-on experience in experimental design, data analysis, and lab procedures while engaging in professional development workshops and networking events with NIH staff and fellow interns. The NHLBI’s Division of Intramural Research supports a wide range of cardiology-focused studies, including research in interventional and surgical cardiology, heart failure, and vascular biology.
Location: The Newman School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $2500 + $500 refundable deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically 15–20 people per class
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Typically current and rising juniors and seniors, although students in lower grades can apply as well
BLI’s Cardiology and Internal Medicine program is a cardiology summer program for high school students interested in hands-on medical experience. You’ll engage in full patient workups, perform diagnostic simulations, and practice procedures like abdominal palpation and dissections. The program introduces you to how internal medicine practitioners approach complex cases across multiple systems, while allowing you to explore key interventions used in both surgical and non-surgical care. A significant part of the course focuses on cardiology, a leading subspecialty of internal medicine. You'll learn how to approach cardiovascular cases, understand treatment pathways for heart disease, and simulate procedures such as triple bypass surgery and pacemaker implantation. The curriculum also covers pulmonary disorders, gastroenterology, and other internal specialties, helping you build a broad foundation in clinical reasoning and patient care.
Location: OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: Exact information is not available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is not available
Dates: June – August (introduction track)
Application Deadline: May 11
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an Oregon high school and will be at least 16 years old by May 30. Students in the 10th or 11th grade, as well as those with an interest in the cardiovascular field, are preferred
If you're an Oregon high school student interested in cardiovascular health, the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute offers a summer internship that gives you a closer look at the field of cardiology. You'll gain hands-on experience with real-world applications in cardiovascular medicine, from prevention strategies to patient care. The program helps you understand the complexity of heart health and its role in overall well-being. You’ll also build foundational skills and explore different career paths in healthcare.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is not availableDates: Available 24/7
Application Deadline: Applications can be submitted year-round
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled at a high school or be 14 years of age
If you’re looking for flexible, online cardiology summer programs for high school students, the CardioStart Program is a good option. Held by the Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center, this program provides a starting point into cardiac and tissue engineering beyond the scope of high school classes. Through a series of interactive workshops and assessments, you’ll build a foundational understanding of how live cells function and how tissue is engineered in cardiovascular research. The program runs on a 24/7 platform, allowing you to learn at your own pace, with regular support from graduate students or faculty via weekly Zoom office hours. You’ll engage with core concepts in cardiac science and gain exposure to how research labs operate.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL/Virtual
Cost/Stipend: The course costs $1,600 (scholarships are available), $1,400 for the virtual component
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students per class
Dates: June 2 – 6 (in-person), July 14 – 18 (virtual)
Application Deadline: Students who enroll by December 1 get a $200 scholarship
Eligibility: Motivated and academically strong high school students. Previously accepted students had an average GPA of 4.14 and an average SAT score of 1480
The University Medical Summer program offers a one-week cardiology summer program for high school students interested in acute care and cardiovascular medicine. Designed by board-certified physicians and aligned with American Heart Association and Red Cross standards, this course includes hands-on medical simulation, a heart dissection, and certifications in topics like CPR, anaphylaxis response, and opioid overdose treatment. You'll also learn to interpret EKGs and chest X-rays while gaining exposure to cardiopharmacology and emergency care procedures. Instructors are practicing physicians and medical school faculty, and students often go on to publish research or present at national conferences. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual version is available with independent study materials and exam-focused sessions.
Location: Mass General Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students were accepted in the last cohort
Dates: January 21 – 22, February 26, March 5, March 12
Application Deadline: Exact dates are unavailable; check the website or email for more information
Eligibility: 10th-grade students who self-identify as female or a racial or ethnic minority, who are from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background, LGBTQIA+, or potential first-generation college students
The You Belong in Cardiology program at Massachusetts General Hospital is a mentorship and career exploration initiative designed to introduce high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to the field of cardiology with hands-on exposure to cardiac care. You'll participate in CPR training, heart dissections, and simulations of echocardiography and ultrasound, while exploring cardiac anatomy, imaging, and clinical care pathways alongside professionals in cardiology and allied health fields. In addition to clinical exposure, you’ll engage in four interactive sessions focused on career pathways in cardiology, with structured opportunities for both group discussion and one-on-one mentoring. You’ll also be paired with a physician or cardiology fellow to build long-term mentorship relationships that support your academic and professional goals.
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost/Stipend: The program costs $3,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is unavailable
Dates: July 6 – 11 and July 20 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current 9th to 12th grade students
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute offers a cardiology summer program for high school students where you get a comprehensive look at modern healthcare through hands-on simulations, clinical skills training, and direct interaction with professionals in the field. You’ll explore specialties such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, and internal medicine while rotating through simulation labs and interactive stations at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. You’ll be practicing ultrasound techniques, suturing, and cardiovascular simulations, giving you practical insight into what it's like to work in medicine before college. You’ll tour the Wake Forest School of Medicine, engage with medical students, and work with standardized patients in a variety of simulated healthcare scenarios. The curriculum also includes experiences in advanced facilities like the cardiac catheterization lab and rehabilitation center.
Location: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Cost/Stipend: Interns are paid $13/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact numbers aren’t available
Dates: 8 weeks starting June 3
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors in the Cincinnati area with strong academic and extracurricular standing
The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center offers graduating high school seniors a chance to explore pediatric biomedical sciences through a paid, part-time internship. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll work alongside a mentor in a specialty of your choice, including molecular cardiovascular biology, critical care, neonatology, pulmonary biology, and more. You’ll also have access to simulation-based training with pediatric patient models, providing an interactive way to develop early clinical skills. The program offers weekly seminars, community service projects, and networking lunches to expose you to a variety of healthcare careers. You’ll also have the flexibility to explore additional specialties outside your assigned department. At the end of the internship, you’ll take part in a group presentation where you’ll share what you’ve learned.
Location: University of Chicago: Hyde Park, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Exact information is unavailable
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is unavailable, but a previous cohort had 15 students
Dates: Takes place over two years, incoming students will be invited by their mentors in June
Application Deadline: Exact information is unavailable
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors. Students from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply
The Heart and Vascular Center Mentorship Program at the University of Chicago is a two-year initiative designed for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in exploring careers in healthcare, particularly within cardiology and cardiovascular care. Through bi-weekly sessions, you’ll interact with a wide range of professionals at UChicago Medicine, from cardiologists and nurses to technicians and healthcare executives. The program offers a close look at the inner workings of a major academic medical center, with opportunities to attend interactive presentations, participate in hands-on activities, and shadow specialists within the Heart and Vascular Center. After the initial months of foundational learning, you’ll be matched with a mentor in your area of interest for more personalized guidance and one-on-one educational experiences. This includes exposure to real clinical settings and support with long-term career planning.
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is unavailable
Dates: Typically June – August
Application Deadline: Exact information is unavailable
Eligibility: High school and college students in the Boston area with an interest in STEM/cardiology
The COACH Program (Community, Opportunities, and Advancement at Children’s Hospital) offers students internships across multiple departments at Boston Children’s Hospital, including opportunities in cardiology. If you're interested in healthcare and research, this program allows you to gain hands-on experience supporting real projects in hospital settings. For more information, reach out to coach@childrens.harvard.edu. Additionally, the Department of Cardiology runs a "Day in the Life" program, an initiative for students aged 16 to 18 from Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, allowing them to shadow clinical, research, and administrative staff three times a year.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. 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.
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