15 Health Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 7 hours ago
- 10 min read
As a high school student, structured programs offer you a practical and accessible way to explore college-level academics and campus life. These programs allow you to develop skills that go beyond the classroom, such as research methods, problem-solving, teamwork, and professional communication. Many programs also provide exposure to industry practices and allow you to connect with faculty, graduate students, and professionals, helping you build a network that can support your academic and career goals.
Structured programs in health and medicine allow you to explore college-level academics by introducing subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and medical ethics, often through challenging, pre-med style coursework. Furthermore, you can learn about skills such as first aid and laboratory techniques while receiving industry exposure through shadowing opportunities, guest lectures, and tours of medical facilities. They also facilitate valuable connections with peers who share similar interests and with established professionals, leading to mentorship and stronger college applications.
To help you get started, we have curated a list of 15 health programs for high school students.
If you are looking for medical programs, check out our blog here.
15 Health Programs for High School Students
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (can be waived) / All students receive a $500 stipend; stipends of $2,500 and above are provided on a need-basis
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and U.S. citizens or permanent residents (with a green card) and attending high school in the country
At SIMR, you spend eight weeks working in a Stanford laboratory with guidance from a dedicated mentor. You gain firsthand experience in the research methods scientists use to investigate medical questions. Projects are available in areas such as neurobiology, cancer biology, genetics, stem cell research, and more, with placements matched to your interests. If you prefer, you can participate in a bioengineering bootcamp that focuses on hands-on learning without a lab component. In addition to your research, you attend lectures on scientific topics and lab safety. The program concludes with a poster session where you present your project and findings.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available.
Dates: Multiple 12-week to 1-year cohorts during the year, including summer, fall, winter, or spring
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November); you can find the application form here
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students that offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas. It pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. You will be guided through the entire research lifecycle, from topic exploration and research question identification to data analysis and academic writing. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper, and you will also become eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit.
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Third week of June until the second week of August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old at program start, entering grades 10–12, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
This 8-week, tuition-free medical program at Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science allows high school students to join research teams and gain hands-on experience in biomedical and clinical research. You work on experiments in areas such as molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology, guided by Rutgers faculty and graduate student mentors. Your tasks include collecting data, performing lab techniques, and interpreting results. In addition to lab work, you participate in weekly seminars focused on scientific communication and career development. The program concludes with oral and poster presentations, allowing you to share your findings with faculty and other participants.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial assistance is available.
Dates: Multiple annual cohorts with varying dates
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python
The AI + Medicine track from Veritas AI introduces high school students to the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this program, you will study topics such as diagnostic tools powered by AI, analysis of medical images, and prediction models based on health data. You will also work with tools commonly used in the field to understand how these technologies are developed and applied in medical contexts. The track is designed to help you build both technical and healthcare-related knowledge, with a focus on how the two areas connect.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates who live or study in Massachusetts and are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
In this program, you participate in neurological research at Massachusetts General Hospital, guided by clinicians and scientists. You may focus on areas such as neuroimaging, analyzing clinical data, or laboratory-based neuroscience projects. The program also includes seminars on neurological disorders, bioethics, and career development. You will have opportunities to visit hospital sites, shadow healthcare professionals, and take part in interactive discussions. Working alongside other interns, you gain insight into the daily work of neurologists and researchers while developing analytical, technical, and communication skills relevant to careers in neuroscience or medicine.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Typically, one month in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified; usually updated around March
Eligibility: All high school students who are first-generation or low-income students, have an interest in applying to a STEM-focused college, and know basic algebra
In this program, you learn R programming, build statistical models, and work through problem-solving exercises to develop your analytical skills. Lectures introduce key concepts, lab sessions give you hands-on practice, and a group research project allows you to apply what you’ve learned. Graduate students in biostatistics serve as mentors, helping you improve your computing skills and demonstrating how statistical methods relate to public health. You also work with real-world data sets, such as tracking disease trends or analyzing patterns in fitness. The program includes guidance on preparing for college and exploring careers in STEM fields.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Typically mid-March
Eligibility: First-generation, Low-income high school juniors from Northern California
SMYSP is a five-week summer program in health sciences for high school students that combines classroom learning with practical experience in healthcare settings. You divide your time between hospital internships, faculty-led lectures, and professional development workshops. A key part of the program is a group research project on health disparities, where you collaborate with peers to produce a paper, presentation, and poster. Past projects have explored topics such as racial inequities in health outcomes and language barriers in patient care. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship from medical professionals, faculty, and college students. Additional components include weekly guest lectures, campus tours, and demonstrations.
Location: CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 23 – 27; July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old on the camp start date
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp, held at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, gives high school students hands-on experience in public health. In the program, you explore topics such as infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, epidemiology, emergency response, and health communication. You’ll team up with peers to review case studies, apply problem-solving strategies, and analyze data, gaining an understanding of how public health professionals respond to real-world challenges. You will also participate in simulated press conferences, learning how to effectively communicate vital public health information, threats, and preventative measures to the media and the public.
Location: Remote with in-person symposium (for students from three Native communities in the Northern Plains)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, in the spring
Eligibility: High school students and teachers from selected Native communities
The EARTH program is a summer research experience for Native high school students and teachers focused on environmental health sciences. In the program, you investigate issues such as drinking water quality, air pollution, and exposure from mining, working alongside scientists from Columbia University and Missouri Breaks Industries Research Inc. You conduct research in local teams, participate in virtual seminars and workshops, and receive guidance from mentors. The program concludes with an in-person symposium where you present your results. In addition, you have access to SAT/ACT preparation and opportunities to connect with Native scientists and professionals in STEM fields.
10. Penn State PULSE
Location: Virtual (Zoom) with optional in-person sessions at Penn State College of Medicine, Hummelstown, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Typically held during the academic year (Fall/Autumn semester)
Application Deadline: Typically, the end of April
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) interested in medicine and biomedical sciences; preference for underrepresented students in STEM
PULSE is a 12-week program at Penn State College of Medicine that gives you an introduction to medical and biomedical sciences through lectures, problem-based learning, and guidance from medical student mentors. You examine case studies, review medical research, and explore topics such as antibiotics, vaccines, and disease transmission. The program also covers interpreting lab results and understanding healthcare systems. Learning is delivered through a combination of pre-recorded lectures, live discussions, and career-focused workshops, providing opportunities to develop both scientific knowledge and professional skills.
Location: Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center, Temple, TX
Cost/Stipend: Tuition fees may apply, but the cost is not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 15 – 19; July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th grade students enrolled in their school’s health sciences curriculum
The Health Sciences Summer Camp at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center is a five-day educational program designed to give high school students a practical, "behind the scenes" look into the world of pediatric healthcare. Over five days, you observe pediatric healthcare across multiple hospital departments, such as Neonatal Intensive Care, Radiology, Oncology, and Physical Therapy. You shadow healthcare professionals to see how patient care is delivered and gain exposure to different clinical environments. The program emphasizes understanding the roles of various healthcare disciplines and how teams collaborate in practice.
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Cost/Stipend: New Hampshire residents: $2,950; out-of-state applicants: $3,800; scholarships are available
Dates: July 7 – 12 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Health Careers Institute at Dartmouth is a one-week residential program that allows you to explore a range of healthcare careers, including clinical medicine, medical research, public health, and health policy. You practice interpreting patient case studies, analyzing public health data, and examining strategies for disease prevention. Hands-on activities include learning basic clinical skills such as measuring vital signs, reviewing diagnostic imaging, and exploring medical research methods. You also work on team-based research projects, participate in discussions with healthcare professionals and faculty from Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, and gain an understanding of medical ethics and healthcare systems.
Location: Austin, TX (UT Austin, Dell Medical School)
Cost/Stipend: $500 (general camp); None for residential GEAR UP Camp (housing and meals provided); scholarships and tuition waivers available for qualifying students
Dates: General day camp: June 16 – 20; GEAR UP residential: July 7–11
Application Deadline: Varies by district and camp; details can be found at the respective coordinators
Eligibility: High school students from nominated Central Texas districts (general camp open to Austin, Manor, Pflugerville, IDEA, KIPP, Wayside schools; GEAR UP for select TX districts)
Dell Med offers camps where high school students engage in science experiments, work alongside healthcare professionals, and practice clinical skills in simulation labs, such as drawing blood, taking vital signs, performing intubations, and starting IVs. Activities include engaging in a range of laboratory science experiments, discovering how medical technology aids modern medicine, meeting and interacting with health professionals from various fields, and visiting different hospital departments, such as the cardiac catheterization lab or rehabilitation center, to see where care is delivered. The program focuses on developing teamwork and leadership skills while providing exposure to the technology commonly used in healthcare.
Location: Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $925; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Session 1: July 21 – 25; Session 2: July 28 – August 1 (tentative)
Application Deadline: March 14 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade high school students with an interest in biomedical or environmental sciences; completion of at least one high school biology course is recommended
The Rutgers University Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Program is a one-week summer program that introduces you to toxicology, pharmacogenetics, and environmental health sciences through hands-on research. You conduct laboratory experiments, study drug metabolism, explore forensic toxicology, and evaluate environmental health risks. Case studies and discussions help you understand how toxins impact human health. The program also provides insight into career paths in medicine, pharmacy, and biomedical research. Located at the Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute, you work alongside researchers and see how toxicology connects to public health.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $2,200; scholarships are available
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 or recently graduated
The INSIGHT High School Program is a four-week virtual experience centered on public health, biomedical research, and injury prevention. You take part in interactive seminars, research projects, and career-focused workshops, developing skills in data analysis, scientific communication, and public speaking. As a capstone, you create an emergency response plan for trauma care during a major earthquake. Throughout the program, you engage with healthcare professionals, researchers, and community leaders, and it concludes with a research symposium where you present your work to experts.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
Image Source - Stanford University logo