15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Seattle, WA
- Stephen Turban
- 14 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you're a high school student based out of Seattle with an interest in medicine or healthcare, an internship can be a good way to deepen your understanding of the field.
Seattle is home to renowned hospitals, research centers, and community health organizations (such as Seattle Children’s Hospital & Research Institute and the Fred Hutch Cancer Center), making it an ideal city to explore high-quality medical internships. These medical internships for high school students in Seattle, WA, offer hands-on exposure to professional skills, direct experience in clinical or research settings, and opportunities to see the realities of patient care up close.
Medical internships for high school students in Seattle, WA, will help you connect with healthcare professionals, mentors, and peers who share your interests and help build connections that can be valuable for your academic and career path. They also help save transport and housing costs and may provide reduced tuition fees to locals.
For this piece, we have curated a list of 15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Seattle, WA. They also include a few virtual medical internships that allow students in Seattle to apply.
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Seattle, WA
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Programs run for 8 to 16 weeks, with multiple cohorts offered year-round in the spring, summer, fall, and winter; Fall Cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Fall Cohort: August 24
Eligibility: High school students, undergrads, or gap year students who can work 10–20 hours a week for 8–16 weeks
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, offer high school students a structured, professional experience in real-world sectors, including healthtech and biomedical research. They connect high school students with remote internships at global startups backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You’ll work remotely on impactful projects matched to your interests, guided by industry mentors from high-growth companies. The program includes weekly check-ins, career-building workshops, and culminates in a formal presentation to the host organization. Designed to deliver rigor, industry exposure, and networking opportunities, Ladder internships emphasize practical outcomes that strengthen college applications and career readiness. You can apply here.
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | Participants receive a stipend
Dates: June 23 - August 15
Application Deadline: Typically in March (rolling dates posted annually)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (entering 11th or 12th grade), Seattle-area students encouraged
Fred Hutch SHIP is a competitive, paid summer research internship for high school students interested in biomedical science and cancer research. You will complete two weeks of lab safety and technical training in the Fred Hutch Training Labs., followed by six weeks of mentored research in a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle. You will attend seminars on health equity and career pathways, collaborate with leading scientists, and present your research findings to the Fred Hutch community at the program’s end. This immersive experience emphasizes hands-on learning, professional mentorship, and a real-world understanding of health science research careers. It encourages students from underrepresented backgrounds to participate.
Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | $2,000 (Transportation and meals)Dates: July 14 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students entering 10th grade (rising juniors) from the Seattle area
Seattle Children’s RTP is a selective four-week program that introduces students to biomedical research through hands-on laboratory training. You’ll learn core techniques such as PCR, microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, immunoassays, isolating white blood cells, polymerase chain reaction, and cell culture while exploring topics in immunology, genetics, and infectious disease. The program includes faculty-led seminars and mentorship and culminates in an independent research project and formal presentation. You will also conduct your own independent research project utilizing the skills learned in the program. By combining technical skill-building with exposure to real-world health research, RTP prepares students for further study in science and healthcare.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,200 | None
Dates: July 7 - August 1
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Current high school students entering grades 9-12 or recently graduated
The INSIGHT program allows high school students to learn about injury and violence prevention research, with a strong focus on health equity. You’ll work in teams on research projects, learn to analyze real-world public health data and receive mentorship from UW faculty. Weekly seminars cover topics like epidemiology, social determinants of health, and research ethics. Finally, you’ll conclude with a formal symposium presentation, developing both analytical skills and professional confidence in tackling real public health challenges. The program also includes seminars on creating compelling resumes as well as presentations, and learning the essentials of public speaking. You will be given a Certificate of Completion at the end.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | Minimum wage
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds
BRIGHT‑UP is a paid internship supporting underrepresented students to explore and pursue biomedical research careers. The program begins with an intensive week of lab-skill workshops, followed by six weeks of mentored research in University of Washington labs. You will work with scientists, learn advanced techniques like gel electrophoresis and gene editing, and present your research to UW faculty and peers. You will also attend weekly career development sessions. This program is known for expanding access to health sciences while building a strong technical and professional foundation for participants. You will be required to commit 30 hours per week to this program.
Location: Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | $5,000
Dates: June 30 - August 22
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Current 11th graders only
The ISB SEE/ Baliga Lab High School Internship is an intensive, 8-week in-person program where you’ll dive into systems biology research alongside professional scientists. You’ll work on projects ranging from computational biology to microbial evolution and bioengineering, all tied to active ISB research. Beyond lab work, you’ll also build project websites, interview ISB professionals across departments, and help design a school-ready science curriculum. You’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced scientific, coding, and problem-solving skills while exploring diverse STEM career paths through one-on-one mentorship and a structured leadership program. The program is one of Seattle’s most immersive, professionally structured high school research opportunities.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | $3,200 stipend
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: High school student aged 18+ years | U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Minimum GPA 3.2| Check out the other criterias here.
The Neuroscience Summer Scholarship Program’s intensive “bench-to-bedside” program places students in UW neuroscience labs alongside clinicians in ORs and neurology clinics. As an intern, you’ll attend grand rounds, faculty lectures, and resident-led discussions every week, giving you first hand exposure to real-world neuroscientific inquiry and clinical care. You’ll complete mentored research projects and present your findings to faculty, peers, and family at a capstone symposium. Many previous participants in the program have gone on to pursue neuroscience careers, MDs, and PhDs. With hands-on lab work, OR shadowing, high-level seminars, and mentorship, it’s one of Seattle’s most rigorous pre-college neuroscience opportunities.
Location: UW School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: June 23 - August 21
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students in Washington completing junior year by July 1 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Limited financial or educational resources and from under-resourced backgrounds
UDOC is a transformative six-week summer academy designed to inspire high school juniors interested in healthcare careers, especially those from communities underrepresented in medicine. For the first half, you’ll engage online in interactive workshops, and for the second half, you’ll attend hands-on sessions at UW, practicing physical exams, suturing, and patient interviewing under the guidance of medical students and faculty. Beyond clinical skills, UDOC offers mentorship, college-prep resources, and exposure to diverse healthcare environments. The program involves a blend of remote learning and in-person clinical exposure that is rigorous and supportive, offering early insight into what a future in medicine truly looks like.
Location: University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: July 14 -18
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors | Must be 16 years old before the camp’s first day
UW Nurse Camp invites high school students to explore the field of nursing through a week-long experience on UW’s Seattle campus. You’ll rotate through simulation labs, shadow nurses at UW Medical Center – Northwest and UW Medical Center – Montlake, complete CPR and HIPAA training, and engage in skill-based workshops like taking vitals and operating medical equipment. The program features panels with nursing professionals from forensics, public health, emergency, and research. You will also be part of sessions on preparing for college and getting into nursing school. By focusing on hands-on learning and mentorship, Nurse Camp offers a realistic glimpse into the diverse pathways within nursing.
Location: Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: July 14 - July 18
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from the Puget Sound area | Must be between the ages of 16-18 by the camp start date
Seattle Children’s Nurse Camp gives students direct exposure to pediatric nursing in one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. The program includes job shadowing in various hospital departments, training sessions in clinical skills, and discussions with current nurses about career paths. As an intern, you’ll learn how nurses work in different specialties, from emergency medicine to surgery and neonatal care. You will also engage with an educational panel to ask questions and discuss nursing as a career path. With real patient interaction and mentorship, this program will give you an inside look into the compassionate, fast-paced world of pediatric nursing.
Location: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $795 for employees of member institutions; $845 for non-members; early bird discounts and scholarships available | None
Dates: July 7 - August 15 (Each camp runs for only 1 week)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 - 12 in the fall of 2025
Camp BIOmed offers themed, week-long lab experiences such as CRISPR gene editing, bioinformatics, global health, crime scene investigation, microbiology and DNA barcoding. You will work in real lab settings, use professional-grade equipment, design experiments under expert guidance, and understand how biomedical research is conducted from exploration and discovery to testing and analysis. Each track emphasizes hands-on techniques while integrating discussions about ethics and careers in biomedical research. The program’s small group sizes ensure close mentorship and help students build both confidence and lab proficiency for future STEM pursuits. The camps also promote awareness of diverse science careers.
Location: Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: 3-month track: $595; 6-month track: $475; 9-month track: $325 | None
Dates: Rolling enrollment (can be year-round)
Application Deadline: Year-round applications
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who are 16-17 years old by the application deadline
The COPE Junior Health Scholars program places high school students alongside experienced Health Scholars, where they can shadow clinical teams or work independently in patient care and administrative settings. You’ll gain first-hand insight into healthcare delivery, explore educational and career pathways, and build patient communication skills. Not only that, but you’ll also receive mentorship from Health Scholars and hospital staff to support both personal and professional development. Upon program completion, you’ll earn a certificate that strengthens college and job applications and gain priority access to continue in the Health Scholar track after high school.
Location: Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, Everett, WA (Seattle metro area)
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: typically between June - September
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Providence’s High School Summer Volunteer Program provides 100 hours of summer volunteer experience in a hospital environment. It also includes one week at “Camp Prov” working with children with special needs. You’ll assist in clerical roles, patient support, and direct service, all while gaining insight into healthcare operations and community care, making it a meaningful immersion in a clinical setting. You will also have to commit 48 hours of service as a volunteer in one of the hospital’s departments. This program allows you to gain valuable exposure to the healthcare field while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
Location: UW School of Pharmacy, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $100 | None
Dates: July 14 - 17
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students from grades 9 - 12
UW’s STEP Summer Program offers a 4-day, hands-on experience in the world of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science. You’ll explore pharmacy practice through interactive workshops, lab activities, and panels led by current pharmacy students and faculty. The curriculum allows you to learn health information, basic medication compounding procedures, approaches to treating illnesses, ways to improve medication-related healthcare quality, clinical skills, and community pharmacy operations. You will also participate in hands-on and other interactive activities such as campus tours and games. With its focus on real-world professional scenarios and access to UW’s cutting-edge resources, STEP provides a high-impact introduction to pharmacy as a healthcare career option.
Location: MultiCare facilities, Tacoma, WA (accessible from Seattle)
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: July 14 - 18
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Current high school sophomore, junior, or senior student at time of application | Primary residence is in Pierce, south King, Kitsap, or north Thurston counties
MASH Camp provides a hands-on introduction to healthcare through interactive medical station rotations, suturing, wound care, intubation, intensive care unit, cancer center, labor and delivery, pediatric care, adult surgical care, and shadowing of clinical staff. With a camp history spanning over 20 years, it will provide you with real job-shadowing experiences at hospitals like MultiCare Yakima Memorial, and you will also participate in mock codes. Limited to around 30 participants per session, it emphasizes experiential learning and career exploration in a supportive team environment. Graduates often return as volunteers, and the camp has inspired many to pursue a healthcare career.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in medicie, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.
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