15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Michigan
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 12
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 10
If you are a high school student in Michigan interested in healthcare, nursing, medicine, or other related fields, a medical internship in the state can be a great way to get some hands-on exposure to these areas.
Medical internships can give you the chance to develop professional skills, observe real medical settings, and connect with doctors, researchers, and other healthcare professionals. As an intern, you will also get to learn about different roles in health-related fields. You will also work on tasks and projects that give you hands-on experience and technical and soft skill-building opportunities. Internships also add value to your college applications and help you figure out if a medical career is the right path for you.
To make your search easier, we have put together a list of 15 medical internships for high school students in Michigan.
15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Michigan
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; summer sessions have May/June deadlines, spring sessions have a January deadline, fall applications close in September, and Winter sessions have a November deadline
Dates: Vary based on program format and cohort; several cohorts throughout the year, including summer, spring, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students, undergrads, and gap year students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program designed for high school students interested in gaining real-world work experience. During the program, you will intern with a fast-growing startup. Opportunities are available in a wide range of industries, including medicine and healthcare technology. The partnering start-ups are high-growth organizations that, on average, raise over a million dollars. As an intern, you will work closely with the start-up manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects. You will also get to present your work to the company. You can learn about the available internship areas and program formats on the application form.
Location: University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a stipend of $4,000 available
Application deadline: Typically in May
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school with an interest in biology or biomedical sciences
BioMed Focus is a summer research program for high school students interested in exploring biomedical research. This paid, eight-week internship at the University of Michigan’s Michigan Medicine is a chance to work full-time in a lab alongside experienced scientists. Under the guidance of a PhD student or postdoctoral mentor, you will complete your own hands-on research project, gaining valuable skills in lab techniques, scientific writing, and presentation. Courses in science communication and college preparation are also parts of the experience. You will also learn how to read and interpret scientific papers, connect with current university students, and hear about their academic journeys. The program ends with a symposium where you will present your work to peers and professionals.
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Stipend: Upon program completion, a monetary award might be offered
Application deadline: April 7
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 with a GPA of 2.75+; priority given to Wayne County residents, Detroit Public School students, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds
During the Biomedical Career Advancement Program (BCAP), you will learn what it’s like to be part of a real research and health science environment. This six-week summer program is also an opportunity to explore careers in research and healthcare while working closely with senior research and clinical faculty. Here, you will develop your own independent research project with the help of a mentor and present it at the program’s annual research symposium. You will also get lab safety training and develop clinical and lab skills like gel electrophoresis, microscopy, CPR, and phlebotomy. You will also attend career panels, professional development workshops, and networking events.
Location: C. S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost: Free
Application deadline: March 31
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older, and undergraduate students
The Discovery to Cure Program conducted at Wayne State University offers high school and undergraduate students opportunities to get hands-on research experience in the labs of the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development. Over eight weeks, you will be matched with a mentor and work on your own research project, learning how to come up with a hypothesis, run experiments, and analyze data. You will undergo training in areas like reproductive biology, immunology, oncology, toxicology, prenatal care, and precision medicine. You will work about 40 hours a week in a lab with the assigned faculty member, postdoc, or research assistant, and attend weekly seminars to learn more about current research. At the end of the program, you will share your findings through a 10-minute oral presentation.
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Stipend: $1,000
Application deadline: Not mentioned
Dates: The mentorship program runs during the academic year, followed by internships during the summer; exact dates not specified
Eligibility: Detroit-area high school students
The Henry Ford Hospital’s Department of Surgery offers a combined mentorship and internship program to high school students each year. In the mentorship program, you will get to visit the hospital and learn basic surgical skills like suturing and knot tying in the Surgical Simulation Suite. You will also tour the hospital and meet doctors, surgeons, and medical students. Following the program, you will get a chance to be one of 10 students who will get paid internships to gain additional experience. The program also offers insights into careers in medicine, surgery, and healthcare.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; participants are provided with housing, meals, lab materials, and stipends distributed in three payments
Application deadline: Typically in March
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Eligibility: Michigan high school juniors/rising seniors
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program is a six-week program that supports high school students from under-resourced communities interested in basic life sciences research. Here, you will work in the University of Michigan labs on ongoing research projects, collecting data and sharing your results with peers and mentors at the end of the program. The internship is selective, with only 5 to 10 students accepted each year. This can be an opportunity to explore life sciences fields like biology, genetics, and neuroscience, which are crucial areas of study for pursuing careers in medicine. Besides lab work, you’ll also engage in social and professional activities with other students in U-M’s summer programs.
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free program; stipends may be offered, but are not guaranteed
Application deadline: Typically in March
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 in metro Detroit high schools
The RYSE Med Program is a free six-week program for students interested in learning about medicine and related fields. Here, you will learn about various healthcare careers through interactions with doctors, researchers, and other medical professionals. Through a six-week intensive summer immersion and year-long activities, you will also get insights into health equity and the skills needed to make a positive impact in your community and the healthcare field. You will also engage in research and design an infographic on a health equity topic for a 10–15-minute group presentation. This program also offers support for pursuing a career in medicine, research, and health discovery.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None; a $500 taxable stipend may be offered
Application deadline: March 31
Dates: July 14 – 25
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors enrolled in Michigan high schools
The SHE in Oncology is a multi-institutional program hosted by cancer centers across the country. The University of Michigan offers this trainee program to 20 high school students interested in learning about careers in oncology. If selected, you will get to attend virtual lectures and discussions on cancer care and cancer science. You will participate in a genetics-based research project with peers from the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Pennsylvania. You will also get a laboratory kit to engage in experiments from home. The program also offers professional development and skill-building sessions led by professionals in cancer research and care.
9. OsteoCHAMPS
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: $1,000; full need-based scholarships are available
Application deadline: March 10; applications open on December 17
Dates: June 14 – 21
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
The OsteoCHAMPS program is an eight-day residential summer program at Michigan State University for high school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare careers. During the program, you will engage in hands-on learning opportunities focused on medical topics like anatomy, biochemistry, clinical skills, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. You will also work on a medical research project, improve your writing, and network with professionals from MSU’s medical and physician assistant programs. While not an internship, the program can help you explore careers in medicine and build key academic and clinical skills while giving you a taste of college life and the healthcare field. The program also offers year-round support to help you pursue academic and career goals.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee; need-based waivers are available
Application deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: High school students older than 14 who have worked on a healthcare project or have strong programming or math abilities; applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with valid visa status
Through the Summer Research Internship, Stanford’s AIMI offers virtual research experiences to high schoolers interested in the role of artificial intelligence in medicine. During the program, you will explore the basics of AI in medicine and work on addressing a real-world medical problem using AI tools. With support from Stanford researchers and student mentors, you will take part in group projects, social activities, and sessions led by guest speakers from fields like nonprofits, government, and industry. The program will also offer insights into developing AI-based solutions that have applications for medical professionals. You can also choose to continue engaging in your research after the program ends.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Early February
Dates: Two weeks in summer; dates not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, as well as seniors
The University of Texas Southwestern’s Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week summer program for high school students interested in exploring mental health careers. The program offers insights into career options in the mental health field. Here, you will learn from professionals like social workers, psychiatrists, and psychologists, and explore different areas such as therapy, neuroscience, and community psychiatry. Before each session, you will go through materials from sources like science journals and news articles to help you prepare for instruction. You will also learn about the daily lives of mental health professionals and social workers.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Summer: $95 application fee + $4,380 program fee; Fall: $35 application fee + $1,980 program fee
Application deadline: Summer virtual session: February 24 | Fall virtual session: June 2
Dates: Summer: July 28 – August 8 | Fall: September 11 – November 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors + undergraduate pre-med students who are 16 years old or older
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship offers virtual opportunities to high school and college students interested in exploring careers in medicine and developing skills required in the field. During the program, you will attend online lectures and engage in hands-on sessions, developing skills in suturing, administering injections, and conducting physical examinations. The sessions will cover topics like how to make gastroenterology, cardiology, endocrinology, and pulmonary case presentations. You will also work on simulations of real medical cases, assessing the health histories of simulated patients, making diagnoses, and suggesting suitable treatment options. At the end of the session, you will present the case with your group members. The program also has dedicated sessions to help you learn about the daily lives of medical professionals.
Location: Remote options available for Michigan students
Stipend: Unpaid
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: The internship runs for one semester during spring, summer, and fall
Eligibility: High school students
Parkview Health offers multiple opportunities for high school students to explore different healthcare fields. You can choose from internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, clinical experiences, and more, based on your interests and goals. During the program, you will get insights into the daily operations of a health facility as well as various career paths in medicine. Whether you prefer clinical or non-clinical roles, you will find an opportunity in a department of your choice. The internship is flexible, offering in-person, remote, or hybrid formats to fit your needs.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: March 1
Dates: Five weeks in the June–August period
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in North America (U.S. and Canada)
JHIBS is a summer internship for high school students interested in careers in behavioral health and brain sciences. In the virtual version of the program, you will learn about behavioral and neurological research, practice basic lab skills, and take part in research activities. You will also engage in college prep and professional development sessions. The program also offers access to mentorship, scientific talks, and networking events. The internship can offer you a foundational knowledge of biomedical sciences and neuroscience research tools and methodologies.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $300 to be paid as a donation to cover the costs associated with the Internship program
Application deadline: April 30
Dates: June 16 – August 10
Eligibility: Students who have completed their junior year of high school
Through the Cell-Science Summer Internship Program, the non-profit Science Gurus offers virtual eight-week hands-on experiences to high schoolers interested in biotechnology and rational drug design. Here, you will work on a research project in bioinformatics focused on drug discovery and get to explore topics like cancer biology, immunotherapy, and stem cell therapies. You will also get hands-on exposure to bioinformatics tools. The program also offers guest lectures and career development workshops led by professionals in the biotechnology and pharma fields. You will deliver oral presentations and detailed project reports. A visit to a local biotech company is also a key part of the experience.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to pursue research in medicine, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. Last year, 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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