15 Fall Medical Programs for High School Students

If you’re considering a future in healthcare, enrolling in fall medical programs for high school students is a smart move. These programs provide a bridge between high school and college. They offer you a firsthand look at college-level academics, give you exposure to real clinical environments, and provide a chance to gain practical skills you may not learn in a classroom. They connect you with mentors and industry professionals, helping you build valuable networks while exploring different career paths in medicine. Many of these opportunities are also designed to be accessible, giving you advanced experience without the burden of high costs.

If you’re interested in medicine, participating in a selective academic-year or fall-term program is a way to test yourself while building a competitive profile for college. The top fall medical programs for high school students tend to be rigorous, emphasize hands-on learning, and include mentorship and networking that can shape your path forward. We’ve curated a list of fully funded, highly selective fall medical programs across the U.S., each hosted by a respected medical school, hospital, or research institution. Here’s our roundup of the best fall medical programs for high schoolers that run during the September–December semester and offer real, immersive exposure to the field.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote, open to participants worldwide

Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available

Dates: Varies by cohort, summer, fall, winter, or spring (programs range from 12 weeks to 1 year)

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic opportunity that allows you to engage in individual research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work closely with your assigned mentor to explore a topic of your choice and develop a fully independent research paper. This online summer enrichment program for high school students supports a wide range of disciplines, including areas such as psychology, international relations, economics, chemistry, engineering, physics, and computer science. This structure allows you to dive deep into a subject that aligns with your academic interests while gaining valuable experience in scholarly research and critical thinking. You can find more details about the application here.

2. AI + Medicine Deep Dive – Veritas AI

Acceptance rate/cohort size:  Selective

Cost: Varies depending on program type

Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter

Application Deadline: Early Admission: July 20 | Final Deadline: August 31

Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program

This online program is designed for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Over 10 sessions, you will learn from PhD-level mentors in medical AI and apply the skills you acquire to real-world use cases such as disease diagnosis, image segmentation, and genomics. You’ll explore how AI can sharpen medical scans, predict patient outcomes, and accelerate drug discovery. You’ll use tools such as TensorFlow and Keras, build models using convolutional neural networks, and understand the ethics behind AI in medicine. Classes are highly interactive, combining theory, coding walkthroughs, and project-based learning. You will work in small groups (5:1 ratio) and complete a capstone project that applies AI tools to solve healthcare challenges.

3. Harris Neuroscience Internship – Stanford Medicine

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not published

Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.

Cost: Free

Dates: September–May

Application Deadline: April 4

Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students during the program year; recommendation from a Math or Science teacher required

The Harris Neuroscience Internship provides a unique academic-year experience, combining clinical exposure, research, and professional mentorship at Stanford Medicine. You’ll participate in monthly Neuroscience Journal Club meetings led by expert faculty, critically analyzing scientific literature and current developments in the field. You will complete a self-directed scholarly project aligned with your neuroscience interests and engage in a community-based initiative to promote broader healthcare awareness. The program also includes access to Stanford’s weekly Grand Rounds, giving you insight into real-world clinical discussions and case studies. 

4. Dolphin Research Center – Medical Department Internship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not published

Location: Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL

Cost: Free

Dates: September–December (Fall Term)

Application Deadline: June 1

Eligibility: Open to high school students and above; applicants must be physically fit and comfortable working outdoors; English proficiency required.

The Dolphin Research Center offers a fall term internship that immerses you in marine veterinary care and animal health operations. You will be assigned to the Medical Department, where you’ll assist with daily care routines, support veterinary procedures, and learn about diagnostic techniques in a marine mammal setting. You will complete 16–18 weeks of training, working closely with experienced staff while also pursuing an independent study project aligned with your interests. You’ll gain practical exposure to preventive medicine, treatment protocols, and rehabilitation practices while contributing to the well-being of dolphins and sea lions in a professional care environment. This program also integrates cross-departmental collaboration, letting you experience both clinical and operational aspects of an aquatic animal facility.

5. Parkview Health FutureREADY Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not published.

Location: Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN

Cost: Free

Dates: 15 weeks (one semester; fall placements available)

Application Deadline: Rolling; requests must be submitted at least 60 days before the desired start date

Eligibility: Open to high school students; placement priority for regional partner school students

The FutureREADY Program is designed to help you explore healthcare careers through a semester-long internship paired with rotational observations. You’ll spend six weeks visiting different departments, observing both clinical and non-clinical roles, before selecting your top areas of interest for the remainder of the term. The program gives you a structured exposure to multiple medical fields, letting you compare roles and environments before committing to a specific career path. Observations are paired with mentoring from Parkview Education Services, and you’ll gain insight into hospital operations while developing professional workplace skills. This program is especially valuable if you are considering a healthcare career but want diverse, hands-on experiences to help you decide on a direction.

6. MERIT Health Leadership Academy – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not published

Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Cost: Free

Dates: Year-round; program begins in the fall semester

Application Deadline: Priority Deadline: February 8 | Final Deadline: February 15

Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented backgrounds in Baltimore City with an interest in health careers

The MERIT Health Leadership Academy is a selective, year-round program designed to support underrepresented high school students pursuing careers in medicine and healthcare. You’ll engage in longitudinal mentorship, academic enrichment, and hands-on clinical exposure with Johns Hopkins faculty and healthcare professionals. The program integrates Saturday classes, summer internships, and a rigorous curriculum that develops both scientific knowledge and leadership skills. You will receive personalized guidance for college readiness, including test prep, application support, and career exploration workshops. 

7. Stanford Clinical Skills Internship – Fall Intensive Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not published

Location: Online, hosted by Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA

Cost: $1,980 program fee; $35 application fee

Dates: September 10–November 12 (Wednesday evenings, 5:30–7:00 PM PT)

Application Deadline: June 2

Eligibility: High school students and pre-med undergraduates; no prior medical experience required

This 10-week live online course offers you an interactive introduction to practical clinical skills taught by Stanford School of Medicine faculty. Through real-time Zoom sessions, you’ll learn to take patient histories, create differential diagnoses, and practice procedures such as taking vital signs, performing suturing, and conducting organ dissections. Weekly case presentations and group problem-solving activities simulate real clinical teamwork, while mentorship from Stanford physicians provides guidance on medical careers. The program’s evening schedule allows students across time zones to participate in an academic-year medical experience.

8. Northwestern Medicine Scholars Program (NM Scholars)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not published

Location: Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

Cost: Free

Dates: Academic-year program with fall sessions; program begins in March; four-week hands-on component during the school year

Application Deadline: Typically February

Eligibility: High school students from Westinghouse College Prep with strong academic standing and interest in medicine or biomedical sciences

The NM Scholars Program is a selective academic-year initiative that pairs high school students with Northwestern Medicine physicians and Feinberg School of Medicine researchers for immersive exposure to healthcare and biomedical science. Over four weeks, you’ll participate in hands-on activities, shadow clinical professionals, and engage in interactive sessions with research investigators. The program is designed to build early clinical and research literacy while connecting you with mentors who can guide your path toward a career in medicine. It also includes structured workshops to develop leadership and critical thinking skills essential for future healthcare professionals.

9. NM GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program – Northwestern Medicine

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not published.

Location: Northwestern Memorial Hospital and affiliated NM sites (Chicago, Lake Forest, Huntley, DeKalb, Palos Heights, IL).

Cost: Free

Dates: Academic-year program; sessions begin November 15 and run monthly on Saturdays (9 am–12 pm)

Application Deadline: September 29 (11:59 pm CT)

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (limited senior spots in suburban chapters) with GPA 3.0+; applicants must commit to monthly meetings and activities

The Discovery Program introduces you to a wide range of healthcare careers through structured, year-long Saturday sessions during the academic year. You’ll participate in hospital tours, interactive workshops, and networking sessions with Northwestern Medicine professionals while developing leadership and professional skills. Meetings are held monthly and include guest speakers, engaging activities, and a community service component through partner projects. The program is designed for students who want early, sustained exposure to healthcare environments and who may have limited access to such opportunities through school alone.

10. PRISM High School Outreach Program – Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not published

Location: Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

Cost: Free

Dates: Mid-September–late April; biweekly Tuesday evening sessions

Application Deadline: Typically late summer

Eligibility: Chicago high school students; priority for underrepresented or inner-city youth with interest in medicine and science

PRISM (Promoting Inner-City Youth in Science and Medicine) is an academic-year initiative pairing Chicago high school students with MD-PhD mentors to explore careers in medicine and science. You will attend biweekly sessions from mid-September through April, combining patient interview simulations, hands-on lab activities such as dissections, and small-group research projects. You’ll also receive real-world exposure to medical environments during field trips to Northwestern labs and hospitals. The curriculum is structured in modules focusing on different physiological systems and diseases, integrating research, clinical reasoning, and scientific communication skills.

11. Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) – Weill Cornell Medicine

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not published

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY.

Cost: Free

Dates: January–March; 10-week Friday afternoon sessions

Application Deadline: November 13. Applications for 2026 open in the Fall

Eligibility: 10th–11th grade high school students; all backgrounds encouraged to apply

HPREP at Weill Cornell Medicine is a ten-week academic-year program introducing high school sophomores and juniors to medical careers through mentorship and hands-on activities. You’ll attend weekly Friday afternoon sessions featuring talks from physicians and health professionals. You will also receive small-group mentoring with medical students and attend practical workshops on topics such as writing a research paper, crafting a personal statement, and navigating college admissions. You will also participate in anatomy lab experiences and receive direct guidance to strengthen your academic and career pathways in healthcare. 

12. Cedars-Sinai Teen Volunteer Program – Fall Session

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; cohort size varies by session

Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Cost: Free

Dates: October 6–December 15 (10 weeks; 2-hour shifts each week)

Application Deadline: Typically late summer; dates announced annually

Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 with an interest in healthcare careers

Cedars-Sinai’s Teen Volunteer Program gives high school students early exposure to the workings of a major medical center through a structured, semester-long volunteer experience. The fall session places you in patient-facing and support roles, including assisting with patient orientation, delivering amenities, and providing administrative support to healthcare teams. The program is volunteer-based and offers valuable insight into hospital operations and patient care environments. Participants commit to a regular schedule, gaining consistency and professional experience in a healthcare setting.

13. Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program – Medical College of Wisconsin

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not published

Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Cost: Free; daily lunch provided

Dates: August 4–7 (boot camp) + quarterly sessions through April

Application Deadline: May 30

Eligibility: Milwaukee-area high school and college students interested in pharmacy; must attend the August boot camp in person

This year-long program introduces you to pharmacy careers through hands-on compounding labs, vitals collection, and guided site visits. The experience begins with an intensive August boot camp and continues through the academic year with quarterly mentoring sessions. You’ll be matched with both a practicing pharmacist and a student pharmacist mentor, gaining shadowing opportunities at practice sites and community health screening events. The program also emphasizes leadership, career planning, and the role of pharmacy in patient care and community health.

14. Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science (SUPREMES)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not published

Location: Marquette University Opus College of Engineering & Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Cost: Free

Dates: September–May academic-year program

Application Deadline: April 4

Eligibility: Milwaukee-area high school juniors and seniors (11th–12th grade); minimum 3.5 GPA; must have completed or be enrolled in Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I & II, and two years of English

This academic-year research program places you in active biomedical engineering and clinical research labs across MCW and Marquette University. You’ll work as part of a professional research team, conduct original experiments, and develop a manuscript and poster presentation for the end-of-year SUPREMES Symposium. Lab sites include the Zablocki VA Medical Center, Children’s Research Institute, and MCW’s Translational and Biomedical Research Center. The program emphasizes scientific literacy, independent inquiry, and mentorship from faculty researchers, giving you a comprehensive introduction to careers in medicine, engineering, and biomedical science.

15. STEP-UP – Medical College of Wisconsin

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not published

Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Cost: Free

Dates: November–April (six Saturday sessions)

Application Deadline: September 30

Eligibility: 9th–12th grade students in Milwaukee Public Schools or surrounding charter/private schools; minimum 2.8 GPA

This academic-year initiative gives you a structured introduction to a wide range of health science and medical careers through six interactive Saturday sessions. Led by MCW medical students, college pre-med students, and practicing physicians, the program blends clinical exposure with age-appropriate activities to help you explore potential career paths. You’ll participate in hands-on demonstrations, Q&A panels, and guided discussions designed to build confidence and early professional skills. The program emphasizes mentorship and career awareness, making it a strong foundation for students considering medicine or biomedical research.

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.

Image Source - Stanford University logo