15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Indiana
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student looking for a way to explore medicine as a career path, a medical internship can be a great next step! Medical internships offer you early exposure to professional skills, training, and real-world healthcare environments, beyond what you can learn in a classroom.Â
As an intern, you will gain valuable industry insights, make meaningful connections with mentors and peers, and add a strong credential to your resume that demonstrates your initiative and focus. Medical internships designed for high school students also offer shadowing opportunities, allowing you to observe the daily realities of different health careers. During the internship, you will work in labs, clinics, and/or research centers and experience the rigor of professional experience firsthand.
Many universities and organizations in Indiana offer medical opportunities for high school students. If you are in Indiana, you may avoid the costs of long-distance travel by attending these local programs. You can explore various fields, such as biomedical sciences, cancer research, or hospital administration, and learn about prospects in the field.
To help you get started, here are 15 medical internships for high school students in Indiana.Â
Location:Â Virtual
Cost: Varies by format; financial aid available
Dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including fall, spring, summer, and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort—Summer: May | Winter: November | Spring: January | Fall: September
Eligibility: College students and young professionals who can work for 5–10 hours/week for eight weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective program that connects undergraduate students with high-growth startups, which raise over a million dollars on average. These organizations operate in diverse industries, including medicine and tech. During the internship, you can explore your interests in medicine, develop relevant skills, and gain work experience while working on real projects under the guidance of the startup manager. This internship also provides you with exposure to professional work environments and the opportunity to explore various career paths. By the end of the program, you will complete and present your work to the organization. You can explore the available options here.
Location:Â Varies by placement, typically Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Indianapolis, or Indiana Bioscience Research Institute, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; qualifying students receive a $4,000 stipend
Dates: June 2 – July 23
Application Deadline:Â March 1
Eligibility:Â Indiana high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The SEED/STEM Summer Program is an eight-week research internship designed to introduce Indiana high school students to advanced STEM and biomedical fields. You will be placed in a professional lab, either at the IU School of Medicine, Indiana University Indianapolis, or IBRI, gaining exposure to academic and industry research environments. You will be paired with experienced faculty mentors and contribute to active projects in medicine, biotechnology, and life sciences. You will gain lab experience and explore advanced biomedical research. You will also prepare a professional research poster to present at the program’s conclusion.
Location:Â Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Stipend:Â $4,000
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline:Â TBA
Eligibility: 10th–12th grade students from public schools in the greater Indianapolis area; preference may be given to students from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by NIH guidelines
MPESC-Prep is an eight-week summer program that combines biomedical research training with clinical exposure. You will work under faculty mentors in research labs, gaining experience in biomedical science, physician-scientist pathways, and clinical care. The program emphasizes mentorship and offers opportunities to network with peers, medical trainees, and faculty leaders. You will engage in lab work, shadow professionals, and receive support to continue working in the lab in the future. You will also find opportunities for STEM-related professional development during the program.
Location:Â Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; stipend available
Dates:Â Eight weeks in the summer
Application Deadline:Â TBA
Eligibility:Â High school juniors from Marion County public schools with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Future Scientist Program offers high school juniors eight-week research internships at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. You will work under the mentorship of university researchers, gaining exposure to real medical research and lab techniques, and conducting an independent research project. In the process, you will learn critical scientific methodologies and experience the pace of a professional medical research environment. Beyond technical skills, the program focuses on helping you develop maturity, responsibility, and collaboration while working with experienced professionals in oncology and biomedical sciences. The program doesn’t offer educational credit, but it awards a stipend to recognize your effort.
Location:Â Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost/Stipend:Â None
Dates:Â Typically a full school semester; commitment of ~15 weeks
Application Deadline:Â Not specified
Eligibility:Â High school students
Parkview Health’s FutureREADY Program is a semester-long internship that allows you to explore multiple career paths within the healthcare industry in a structured, hands-on setting. Over 15 weeks, you will rotate through six different departments for week-long observations before selecting your top areas of interest to focus on for the rest of the term. This rotational model gives you exposure to both clinical and non-clinical environments, helping you identify which career path best matches your interests and skills. You will work closely with healthcare professionals and see firsthand how hospitals operate across different units. The program also offers mentorship.
Location:Â Remote or at Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost/Stipend:Â None
Dates:Â Semester-based placement; commitment of 15 weeks
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â High school students
Parkview Health offers focused high school internships designed to help you explore a specific clinical or non-clinical department aligned with your career goals. Over one semester, you will gain work experience in your chosen field, which can be patient care, laboratory support, or hospital administration. You will work directly with healthcare professionals, building practical skills and understanding the daily responsibilities of healthcare roles. The internships can be in-person, remote, or hybrid, depending on department needs. Although unpaid, the program can offer structured mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and real-world experience in a healthcare setting.
Location:Â Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost:Â ~$320 (equivalent to a 1-credit course per semester) for Indiana residents
Dates:Â Runs on the Purdue Fort Wayne academic calendar; can last four semesters
Application Deadline:Â August 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16–17, with at least a 3.0 GPA and all As and Bs in completed high school classes
The HSRI provides students with an opportunity to gain research experience under the guidance of Purdue Fort Wayne faculty mentors. You will work on active research projects, committing 6–8 hours per week, earning college credit, and contributing to studies in life sciences and biomedical research. The program offers opportunities to develop independent thinking and technical skills under research mentorship in a university lab setting. You will be integrated into existing faculty research teams and gain exposure to professional academic environments and the collaborative nature of research. You will earn one credit per semester of participation.
Location:Â IU School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN
Cost:Â Free; meals provided
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline:Â Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; priority given to minority students
The Smile Squad Dental Camp is a one-week program designed to introduce high school students to careers in dentistry through hands-on skill development and professional mentorship. You will participate in lab activities, academic preparation sessions, and career panels led by IU School of Dentistry faculty and practicing dental professionals. The camp focuses on diversifying the dental field and offers an opportunity to explore oral healthcare careers. You will gain exposure to dental techniques, college admission preparation, and cultural perspectives in dentistry. Although not an internship, this free program offers mentorship and interactive learning opportunities to help you consider dentistry or oral healthcare as a career path.
Location:Â Various IU Health Indiana sites, IU Health Ball Memorial, IU Health Blackford, IU Health Jay, and IU Health Ft Wayne
Cost/Stipend:Â None
Dates:Â Available year-round; placements based on student availability
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; you can submit a request for the Job Shadow or Internship Application here
Eligibility:Â High school students who are 16+
IU Health’s high school internships provide an introduction to careers in healthcare through departmental placements. You will spend 25+ hours in clinical or non-clinical environments, working alongside healthcare professionals to understand daily workflows and patient care. The program emphasizes skill development and mentorship, helping you evaluate career paths while building foundational experience. You will be matched to departments based on your interests and department availability. You will gain exposure to a range of medical and hospital operations and healthcare careers in a professional setting.
Location:Â University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
Cost:Â Free
Dates: June 16 – July 18
Application Deadline:Â Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
The Young Achievers Academy is a five-week program designed to introduce students to a wide range of health professions. You will engage in panel discussions, lab simulations, and academic enrichment sessions that prepare you for college applications and healthcare careers. You will also have access to mentorship from healthcare professionals, structured exposure to diverse medical fields, practical industry insights, and professional networking opportunities. While not an internship, the free program offers internship-like exposure to healthcare careers.
Location:Â Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research at IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost:Â Free; no stipend
Dates: March 1–2
Application Deadline:Â TBA; applications open in the fall prior to the programming year
Eligibility:Â Indiana high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Molecular Medicine in Action is a two-day program designed to offer Indiana high school students a real-world look at advanced medical research. You will spend two days at the Herman B Wells Center learning molecular biology techniques, cytogenetics, cancer therapy approaches, and advanced imaging technologies. You will also engage in experiments, analyze gene expression, and see firsthand how modern research is shaping the future of healthcare. While not a traditional internship, this free program offers hands-on experience in a lab environment and opportunities to interact directly with biomedical researchers. The program emphasizes basic and translational research and offers opportunities to explore future careers in medicine and science.Â
Location:Â IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost:Â $75
Dates: June 9–13
Application Deadline:Â Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Camp MD offers a week-long in-depth look into medical careers through practical experiences and professional shadowing. You will learn how to use an EKG machine, explore an ambulance, and tour the pathology lab at IU Health. The camp also provides direct exposure to medical environments and practical skills training. Led by IU School of Medicine students, the program combines clinical demonstrations with interactive activities, giving you a glimpse into a career in medicine. Although not an internship, this low-cost program offers an introduction to healthcare practices and medical technology that can help you make informed decisions about future career pathways.
Location:Â Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost/Stipend:Â Free; unpaid clinical training
Dates:Â Varies; several weeks to a full semester, based on educational program requirements
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â High school students
Parkview Health’s high school clinicals provide the practical training to students planning to enroll in healthcare certification or degree programs. Under the supervision of professional preceptors, you will work directly in inpatient or ambulatory settings, applying classroom knowledge to real patient care environments. This program can offer you exposure to hospital workflows and professional standards early in your healthcare career path. Placements are customized based on your program’s requirements and department availability.Â
Location:Â University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
Cost:Â $75
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline:Â Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
This one-week camp introduces you to a variety of healthcare fields, from nursing to rehabilitation sciences, through panels, lab simulations, and practical science activities. You will learn about degree requirements, career expectations, and the daily work requirements in healthcare. With an emphasis on hands-on exploration and interactive demonstrations, the program helps you learn about different medical career paths while building early professional skills. It’s a strong choice if you want a concentrated overview of multiple healthcare professions in a single immersive week.
Location:Â Virtual option available for Indiana students
Cost:Â Summer: $95 application fee + $4,380 program fee | Fall: $35 application fee + $1,980 program fee
Application Deadline:Â Summer: February 24 | Fall: June 2
Dates: Summer: July 28 – August 8 | Fall: September 10 – November 12
Eligibility:Â Rising high school juniors and seniors, and undergraduate pre-med students who are at least 16 years old
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship offers virtual learning experiences to high schoolers and undergraduate pre-med students interested in medical professions. During the internship, you will attend online lectures and expert-led activity-based sessions and practice techniques like suturing, administering injections, and conducting physical exams. You will also get to work on real-world medical cases, learning how to make diagnoses and suggest appropriate treatment. You will participate in a group presentation to discuss your medical case. The experience can help you explore medical specialties and build the technical skills required to pursue a career in medicine.
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on the application form here.
Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.
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.
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