10 Free Pre-Med Programs for Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
If you’re thinking about a future in health or medicine, exploring free pre‑med programs for middle school students can be a smart and practical first step. These programs give you exposure to college‑level academics and medical life early on, without the heavy price tag many camps demand. By participating now, you can build foundational knowledge, learn practical skills, and start making connections — all long before applications for high school summer programs or college come into play. Because these options are free (or fully funded), you get a chance to “test the waters” of medicine without financial pressure, which can help you decide early if this path matches your interests. For students who are serious about medicine, these free pre‑med programs for middle school students can be especially valuable: they offer early exposure, mentorship, and a chance to build confidence before high‑school–level commitments.
Below you’ll find a curated list of free pre‑med / medicine‑oriented options aimed at younger learners. We ranked them with the most rigorous / most selective offerings first, to help you find those that are especially competitive or prestigious. We chose each program based on whether it’s structured, offers strong networking or mentorship, is financially accessible, and gives meaningful exposure to medicine.
10 Free Pre-Med Programs for Middle School Students
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. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not publicly listed; selection is merit- and eligibility-based
Dates: Summer: July 6–July 31 | Academic Year: Saturdays from October–May
Application Deadline: Summer: April 15 | Academic Year: November 1
Eligibility: New York State residents in grades 7–12 who are economically disadvantaged and/or in need of academic support in STEM
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is a free, intensive academic and college-prep program for middle and high school students interested in medicine or STEM. You’ll take courses in subjects like anatomy, chemistry, psychology, algebra, and statistics, alongside test prep for the PSAT and SAT. The program runs both during the school year and summer, with academic instruction, field trips, college tours, and workshops designed to prepare you for competitive college admissions and careers in healthcare. Students also get access to research opportunities, including Columbia’s BRAINYAC and YES in THE HEIGHTS summer internships, offering lab experience and professional mentorship. To qualify, you must maintain an 80% average and show a strong interest in health or science careers.
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.
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; open only to students at three West Baltimore partner schools
Dates: Year-round, including after-school, Saturday academies, and summer sessions
Application Deadline: September 22
Eligibility: Rising 6th–10th grade students from Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School, Green Street Academy, or Southwest Baltimore Charter School
The UMB CURE Scholars Program is a long-term STEM pipeline initiative focused on guiding students from middle school through college toward careers in medicine, health care, and biomedical research. You’ll take part in hands-on research experiences, Saturday academies, and after-school enrichment throughout the year, working with mentors from the University of Maryland’s medical and graduate schools. The program introduces you early to fields like cancer research and clinical care, aiming to build your confidence and academic readiness. Scholars are supported through consistent mentorship, academic scaffolding, and engagement with the scientific community. This is the first NIH-supported CURE program designed for middle school students, making it a rare and targeted opportunity for youth in underserved communities.
Location: UConn Health, Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: Free, includes meals, transportation for Hartford residents, and a $4,000 fellowship for program expenses
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not published; applicants must meet academic and socioeconomic criteria
Dates: Summer: June 22–July 17 | Saturday Academy: October 18–May 2
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 8th graders with a B average or higher who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; preference for low-income and/or first-generation college-bound students
The Great Explorations Doctors Academy is a structured enrichment program run through UConn Health’s Health Career Opportunity Programs. You’ll spend four weeks in the summer learning language arts, math, science, and health career awareness, then continue through the school year with a 21-week Saturday Academy. The program includes field trips, hands-on projects, and exposure to college and medical school environments. You’ll also receive mentorship and guidance tailored to help you prepare for college and health-related careers. All participants receive meals, potential stipends, and, if you’re a Hartford resident, transportation is provided as well.
Location: Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free, includes lunch
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Limited number of students; no exact figure listed
Dates: July 21–25
Application Deadline: Not specified; early registration encouraged
Eligibility: Middle school students in the Philadelphia area
Arcadia University’s Health Career Summer Academy is a short, free program designed to give you a head start in exploring health careers. During this five-day experience, you’ll take part in interactive, hands-on activities across fields like nursing, public health, and physical therapy. The academy takes place in Arcadia’s College of Health Sciences and includes access to college-level labs and equipment. With daily lunch provided and no tuition costs, the program is both accessible and immersive. Spots are limited, so early registration is strongly recommended.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free, includes meals and MTA transportation
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; available only to NYC public school 7th and 8th graders
Dates: July 6–July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: 7th or 8th grade students enrolled in NYC public schools
The College and Career Lab at NYU is a multi-year, tuition-free opportunity that introduces you to college life and career pathways through both summer workshops and academic-year support. In the Exploratory Stage, you’ll spend four weeks in hands-on courses like neuroscience, health sciences, philosophy, and more, all taught by NYU faculty. You’ll also have the chance to meet professionals in fields like nursing, dentistry, and physical therapy while visiting NYU’s various schools, labs, and departments. Practice Labs during the school year help reinforce career skills like networking and resume building. This program is structured as a six-year commitment, starting in middle school and continuing through high school, with a strong focus on mentorship, academic exposure, and long-term support.
Location: University of California, San Francisco (partner middle schools in Fresno and Caruthers, CA)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not published; highly structured and school-specific
Dates: Year-round academic program; Summer Experience: Two weeks (late June or July)
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: 6th or 7th grade students enrolled at eligible Fresno Unified or Caruthers Unified middle schools with a minimum 2.8 GPA and an interest in health careers
The UCSF Junior Doctors Academy (JDA) is a school-based, early-exposure pipeline program aimed at preparing you for careers in health and medicine. If selected, you’ll join a multi-year academic and mentoring program that includes elective coursework, after-school support, and a two-week summer STEM experience featuring hands-on labs like pig dissections or rocket experiments. You’ll also receive academic counseling and participate in workshops that focus on science literacy, college prep, and health-related careers. Students must attend an eligible middle school and meet GPA and interest requirements to apply. Those who remain in the program often continue on to the high school-level UCSF Doctors Academy.
Location: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants may qualify for Temple Promise (tuition support for college)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; began with 120 students, with expansion to 200 annually
Dates: Year-round academic program with monthly sessions and summer immersion
Application Deadline: Not specified; participants are identified in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia
Eligibility: 7th-grade students in selected Philadelphia public middle schools
The Temple Future Scholars Program is a multi-year college readiness initiative designed to support you from middle school through high school and into college. You’ll attend monthly Saturday workshops at Temple’s Main Campus, explore academic and personal interests, and take part in summer immersion experiences. Throughout the program, you’ll be mentored by Temple undergraduates and guided through academic support activities designed to prepare you for college admission. Participants who meet requirements may later qualify for the Temple Promise, which offers substantial financial aid for college.
Location: Virtual (hosted by ChristianaCare and Delaware Academy of Medicine / Delaware Public Health Association)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Open registration; no selective admissions
Dates: April 16–May 21 (Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00 PM)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and college students, as well as adults with an interest in medicine
ChristianaCare’s Mini-Medical School is a free six-week virtual lecture series where you’ll explore real-world health and medical topics through live sessions led by physicians and public health professionals. Topics range from emergency medicine to global health issues and medical case studies, offering a broad, engaging overview of the healthcare field. Each week includes interactive presentations, with time for Q&A to deepen your understanding. While no grades or tests are involved, participants who attend all sessions receive a Certificate of Achievement. This program is ideal if you're looking for low-pressure, accessible exposure to medical careers and real-world health challenges.
Lydia is an alumna of 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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