15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in Chicago
- Stephen Turban
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
When you’re in college and thinking about a career in medicine, the classroom is only a part of the picture. To really understand how healthcare works, you need to step inside hospitals, labs, and clinics and see how professionals treat patients, run tests, and make decisions. That’s where medical internships come in.
Chicago is home to some of the country’s best hospitals and research centers, which makes it a strong city for undergraduate students to explore internships. Here, you can shadow professionals, help with research, or support patient care projects. These experiences give you a closer look at the daily challenges and teamwork that drive the healthcare system.
These experiences help you figure out if medicine is the right path for you, and if so, what part of it excites you most. Maybe you’ll discover an interest in patient care, or you’ll perhaps realize research is where you fit best. Either way, spending a summer in Chicago’s medical world can give you answers you won’t find in a textbook.
To get started, here are 15 medical internships in Chicago for undergraduates! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in Chicago
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location:Â Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohortÂ
Program dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program where students work on real-world projects for startups in fields like health tech, biotechnology, AI, and sustainability. You’ll be paired with a company coach who provides structured feedback and professional guidance every week. You’ll gain experience in research and communication, wrap up the program with a final presentation, and walk away with a strong addition to your resume. Placements are aligned with each student’s interests, and financial assistance is available. Alumni have gone on to attend universities such as Stanford, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
Location: Interns are placed across five regional campuses, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago) and sites in Lake Forest, Palos Heights, McHenry, and Winfield
Cost: A stipend will be provided; however, the exact amount is not specified
Dates: June 25 - August 19
Application Deadline: January 17
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in a four-year university program
The Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Internship Program is an eight-week paid summer experience for undergraduates planning to apply to medical school. You’ll be matched with both clinical and administrative mentors and assigned to a department where you’ll contribute to faculty-sponsored projects. Weekly rotating shadowing lets you observe procedures, patient care, and specialties across Northwestern’s academic health system.Â
You’ll also attend seminars led by physicians and faculty from the Feinberg School of Medicine, covering topics like choosing a specialty, applying to med school, and life as a doctor. The program ends with a capstone poster session where you’ll present your work to medical professionals and institutional leaders.
Location: Interns are placed at either Lurie Children's Hospital or UIC Hospital
Cost: Free
Dates: May 27 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate program or who have recently graduated from an undergraduate program
D&I in CHI Summer Internship is a 10-week research program for undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students interested in Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) science. Hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and Lurie Children’s Hospital/Northwestern University, the program offers mentored work on NIH-funded projects, plus structured workshops in ethics, professional development, and implementation science.
You’ll contribute to real research through literature reviews, data collection and analysis, participant tracking, and program support. Weekly cohort meetings and networking events connect you with leading faculty across both institutions. The program ends with a final presentation where you’ll showcase your research or key learnings.
Location: Illinois Medical District
Cost: Free; A stipend of $18–$21/hour, depending on experience.
Dates: 8 weeks; Starting in the summer
Application Deadline: Application typically closes in April
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program
IMD Internship Program (Illinois Medical District) offers undergraduates a hands-on summer experience at one of the nation’s largest urban medical districts, home to over 40 healthcare organizations and four major hospitals. You’ll work with IMDC staff on real-world projects in healthcare, communications, urban development, and data analysis. The program focuses on how healthcare intersects with law, real estate, public safety, and innovation. You will also attend executive meetings, contribute to community health initiatives, and support strategic communication efforts.
Location: Advocate Children’s Hospital (Oak Lawn and Park Ridge sites)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to two interns may be accepted at each site
Dates: 16 weeks in the fall
Application Deadline: Application typically closes in March
Eligibility: Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate-level students pursuing a career with children and adolescents in the healthcare setting
Child Life Internship at Advocate Children’s Hospital gives you hands-on clinical training in pediatric healthcare. You’ll work directly with Certified Child Life Specialists to support the emotional and developmental needs of children and families during hospital stays. Throughout the 16-week program, you’ll rotate through different hospital units, apply what you’ve learned in real time, and build a strong foundation for a career in Child Life. You’ll complete structured assignments, weekly journaling, care planning, and therapeutic play projects, all aligned with national certification guidelines.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,000 taxable stipend provided annually
Dates: 2-year program comprising two eight-week summer research experiences and monthly academic year activities. The summer research experiences generally run from the second full week of June through the first week of August.
Application Deadline: December 2
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior, OR college freshman or sophomore, aged 16 years or older
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a two-year research training program for high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing careers in biomedicine. Hosted by the University of Chicago and funded by the National Cancer Institute, the program gives you full-time summer lab placements with faculty working on cancer research in areas like basic science, clinical studies, population health, and translational medicine. You’ll attend lectures, workshops, and career development sessions throughout the year, and receive mentorship from faculty, researchers, and peer mentors. Over two summers, you’ll build a research project and present your work at a final symposium for the scientific community.Â
Location: UChicago Medicine Center
Cost: Taxable stipend of $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Only 6 trainees are selected each year
Dates: Second week of June through the second week of August.
Application Deadline: Application typically closes in February
Eligibility: Applicants must be college sophomores or juniors, 16+ years old, with a strong interest in biomedical research or medicine.
The American Cancer Society Research Internship at the University of Chicago is a 10-week summer program for college sophomores and juniors interested in biomedical research and oncology. You’ll work full-time in the labs of leading cancer scientists, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge cancer research. The program also includes monthly workshops throughout the academic year focused on leadership, research skills, and graduate school prep. You’ll receive personalized mentorship to support your post-college transitions and participate in community outreach.Â
Location: Loyola University Medical Center
Cost: Up to $2,500 will be given to students for the costs of travel, lodging, and incidental expenses associated with the sub-internship
Dates: 4 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising fourth-year medical students at a U.S. LCME-accredited medical school, and self-identify as underrepresented in surgery based on social, economic, or educational background
Diversity in Surgery Visiting Sub-Internship Program at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine is a four-week clinical experience for medical students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in surgical careers. You’ll be fully integrated into a surgical team, assisting with inpatient care, outpatient clinics, and operating room procedures. The program introduces you to Loyola’s surgical training programs, including residencies in General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, plus fellowships in Surgical Critical Care and Abdominal Transplant Surgery.
Location: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
Cost: A stipend will be provided; however, the exact amount is not specified
Dates: May - JulyÂ
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
The Northwestern Memorial HealthCare General Administrative Internship is an 8-week paid summer program for undergraduates interested in hospital administration. You’ll work on project-based assignments that support various hospital departments, gaining hands-on experience in healthcare operations and strategy. Each intern is paired with a preceptor who provides mentorship and integrates you into their team. You’ll learn how hospital systems function, build project management and communication skills, and work with professionals across departments.
Location: Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH), Streeterville, Chicago, IL
Cost: Interns will be paid a competitive stipend.
Dates: June 9Â - August 1
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors and undergraduate students interested in biological sciences or medicine.
Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program is a 6–8 week paid summer internship hosted by Northwestern University’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care. It’s designed for rising high school seniors and undergraduates who are interested in biological sciences and lung disease research. You’ll be matched with a Northwestern faculty mentor and assigned a hypothesis-driven or hypothesis-generating project in basic or clinical lung research. Alongside your lab work, you’ll attend workshops on college or graduate school prep, career development, and scientific communication.
Location: UChicago Medicine, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL
Cost: A stipend of $3,200 is provided
Dates: June 9 - August 4
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Rising sophomore, junior, or senior who has completed a collegiate-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics course
The Chicago Academic Medicine Program (CAMP) is an eight-week non-residential summer program at the University of Chicago for college students who live or study in the Chicago area and are interested in medicine and STEM. You’ll conduct faculty-mentored research in basic science or clinical settings while attending weekly workshops and cluster group meetings. The program includes pre-med advising, MCAT prep, and admissions counseling to support your path to medical school. You’ll also present your research at a final forum, building your communication and presentation skills.
Location: UChicago Medicine, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL
Cost: $3,200
Dates: June 9 - August 4
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Rising college junior or senior who has completed intermediate- or advanced-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics courses
The Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER) is an eight-week residential summer program at the University of Chicago for rising college seniors and post-baccalaureate students planning careers in medicine or biomedical research. You’ll work full-time on NIH-funded research projects in basic science or clinical settings, guided by faculty mentors.
Each week, you’ll join cluster groups to explore topics like medical ethics, health disparities, and research tools. You’ll also receive advising from Pritzker admissions officers, mentorship from medical students, and attend social events that help build community. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at a formal symposium.
Location: Illinois Medical District, Chicago, IL
Cost: A stipend of $7,000
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a competitive summer program sponsored by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) and hosted at institutions like the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). You’ll spend the summer conducting independent biomedical research under the guidance of UIC faculty mentors. The program begins with lab safety training, then shifts into full-time lab work across fields like pharmacology, physiology, and molecular biology. You’ll also attend seminars, workshops on advanced instrumentation, and career day visits to local pharmaceutical companies.
Location: 8 weeks at the Chicago Headache Center’s Chicago clinic and 2 weeks at the Chicago Headache Center’s Naperville clinic
Cost: Students will receive a stipend
Dates: June 9 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students, with preference for those interested in clinical research, neurology, psychology, or medicine.Â
The Chicago Headache Center & Research Institute Summer Internship is a 10-week paid research program for undergraduates interested in clinical research and headache medicine. You will work full-time from early June to mid-August, spending eight weeks at the Chicago clinic and two weeks in Naperville under the guidance of clinical and research mentors. You will complete IRB and GCP certifications, join clinical workshops, attend weekly journal clubs, and shadow healthcare providers. The program includes professional development sessions and ends with a final research manuscript and presentation.Â
Location: Two locations for the program: Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.
Cost: FreeÂ
Dates: Washington, DC, June 9 - June 13 | Chicago, June 23 - June 27
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and career-changing students who are underrepresented in medicine and preparing for medical school.
Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology is a short-term medical internship hosted by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) in Chicago. This five-day program is designed for Black, Latino, and Indigenous undergraduates who are exploring careers in dermatology. You’ll engage in hands-on activities, shadow dermatologists, and participate in interactive sessions with medical students and residents. The experience includes exposure to common dermatologic procedures, guidance on applying to medical school, and workshops on personal branding, self-assessment, and professional networking.Â
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, 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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