15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Boulder, CO
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 17
- 10 min read
If you’re a high school student considering healthcare, you’re likely weighing more than academic interest. Can you handle the pace? The responsibility? The long-term commitment? Medical programs give you firsthand experience in hospitals, medical research labs, and clinics, which can help you decide if you want to pursue medicine long-term. Medical programs move you from theory to practice. You may observe patient interactions, participate in guided workshops, or collaborate with peers on health-focused projects. That exposure gives you perspective, allowing you to see how professionals weigh evidence, manage uncertainty, and respond under pressure.
What medical programs are available for high schoolers in Boulder, Colorado?
Boulder is close to Colorado's premier medical schools and research hubs, meaning you have access to both local opportunities and world-class programs within commuting distance. While Boulder itself hosts a few key programs, the most substantial medical experiences for high schoolers are located on the outskirts of Boulder. These experiences can strengthen your academic profile. College admissions officers often look for a commitment to your interests and academic ability, which a selective medical program demonstrates. Being able to discuss specific clinical observations or structured health science work gives your application essays credibility.
With that, here’s a curated list of 15 medical programs available to high school students in Boulder, Colorado! Note that with limited medical programs inside Boulder city limits, we’ve included nearby programs in the Boulder–Denver metro area.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program. Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school; students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4); no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective 12-week research experience for high school students interested in academic research, including medicine and health-related fields. You are paired one-on-one with a PhD mentor and work independently to design and complete an original research project in areas such as biomedical science, public health, neuroscience, or data-driven medical research, depending on mentor availability and your interests. You focus on developing a research question, conducting a literature review, applying appropriate research methods, and analyzing results. You complete a full research paper by the end of the program, gaining early exposure to how medical and scientific research is conducted at the academic level. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO; CU Boulder campus, Boulder, CO
Cost: $2,400 (Limited scholarship available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 3 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old by June 3
The University of Colorado STEM Research Experience is a six-week mentored research program for high school students interested in biomedical and life sciences. You will work in a university lab under the guidance of a CU faculty member or graduate student, conducting research in areas such as medicine, immunology, neuroscience, bioengineering, microbiology, or pulmonary and critical care science. Throughout the program, you engage in core research activities, including literature review, experimental work, data collection, visualization, and analysis. Weekly research methods seminars help you understand how scientific studies are designed, conducted, and evaluated. The program concludes with a formal poster session where you present your research findings.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program. Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 10-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; Completion of the AI Scholars program or prior Python experience required
Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine focuses on how artificial intelligence tools are used in clinical and research settings. You study machine learning concepts and apply them to healthcare problems. Programming sessions guide you through disease classification, medical imaging analysis, or clinical data modelling. The project component requires you to build and test a model using structured datasets. You also examine how AI supports genomics, neuroscience research, and hospital systems. The emphasis stays on technical skill development within medical use cases.
Location: Various locations in Colorado (e.g., Denver Health, Anschutz Medical Campus, Broomfield, Highlands Ranch, Colorado Springs)
Cost: Paid opportunities
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 11%
Dates: 12 weeks in winter/6 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Current sophomores attending school in the Denver metro or Colorado Springs geographic areas
The Medical Career Collaborative (MC²) is a six-week, paid program that places you at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, or partner healthcare facilities for 100–120 hours of hands-on hospital work. You will be assigned to a specific department and receive one-on-one mentorship from nurses, physicians, and allied healthcare professionals. Alongside your placement, you participate in seminars covering healthcare topics and mini certification courses designed to build practical, career-ready skills. The program also introduces you to medical terminology, diverse healthcare roles, and includes field trips that broaden your understanding of the medical field.
Location: Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado
Cost: $4,400 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school seniors who are Colorado residents and at least 18 when the internship starts
Children’s Hospital Colorado places you inside a biomedical research lab within the Department of Pediatrics at the Anschutz Medical Campus. You assist faculty researchers with child health studies and learn core lab techniques. Your work may involve data collection, conducting basic laboratory procedures, and research documentation. A seminar series runs alongside lab work, covering current topics in pediatric and translational medicine. You prepare a formal abstract and present your findings through a poster or oral session. The programme mirrors how clinical research teams operate in academic medicine.
Location: BCH Foothills Hospital, Boulder, CO, and other local sites
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Year-round flexibility; minimum 6-month commitment
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 15 years or older
Boulder Community Health offers hospital volunteering opportunities for high school students aged 15 and older, making it a strong local option for early medical exposure. As a volunteer, you can assist with patient and family support, physical therapy departments, unit assistance, office tasks, deliveries, or gift shop operations. These roles provide firsthand insight into how a hospital functions while allowing you to observe healthcare professionals in real clinical settings. Volunteering at BCH emphasizes teamwork, compassion, and service, helping you build responsibility and communication skills in a professional environment.
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; priority for first-generation and underrepresented students in Aurora Public Schools and Denver Public Schools
Dates: Weeklong summer intensive in June or July + monthly Saturday Academy sessions (September–April) + Annual celebration in May
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in Colorado
The CU Pre-Health Scholars Program (CUPS) is a multi-year academic enrichment pathway designed to prepare Colorado high school students for careers in healthcare and STEAM fields. The program combines a weeklong summer intensive focused on biology, biotechnology, health equity, coding, and health science research with monthly Saturday Academy sessions throughout the school year. You engage in interactive labs, guest lectures, and collaborative projects while earning certifications in practical skills like suturing. The program also provides instruction on college readiness, financial planning, and career exploration across various healthcare disciplines.
Location: Children's Hospital Colorado (Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO; North Campus, Broomfield, CO; South Campus, Highlands Ranch, CO; and Colorado Springs locations)
Cost: None. Outstanding participants are eligible to apply for two annual $2,500 Junior Volunteer Recognition Scholarships.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Full-year and summer opportunities available; summer session typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Teens ages 13–18
The Junior Volunteer Program at Children's Hospital Colorado provides high school students with meaningful opportunities to engage with the hospital community and gain exposure to pediatric healthcare environments. As a volunteer, you will support patient and family services through activities like craft projects with children, event staffing, and administrative assistance in various departments. The program offers both full-year and summer-only placements, with assignments ranging from supporting clinical staff to helping at fundraising events. You also have the opportunity to join the Junior Volunteer Advisory Committee, which organizes events like Cake-A-Palooza and the annual Craft Fair Fantastica.
Location: Front Range Community College campuses (Westminster, Longmont, Fort Collins) – Boulder area students eligible
Cost: Tuition covered by the school district for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to qualifying high school students
Dates: Semester-based; fall and spring enrollment
Application Deadline: Varies by school district and semester
Eligibility: High school students in participating Colorado school districts who meet course prerequisites
Front Range Community College offers concurrent enrollment opportunities that allow Boulder-area high school students to earn college credit in health sciences while still in high school. Available pathways include Nurse Aide, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician, Sterile Processing, and Health Information Technology. Courses are delivered in 7-week or 15-week formats, and many programs offer stackable certificates that can lead directly to entry-level healthcare employment or transfer to nursing and allied health degree programs. Through the ASCENT program, eligible students who have completed at least 9 college credits before high school graduation can receive an additional tuition-free year of college.
Location: Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building at the University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Cost: $650 (scholarship available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: June 8 – 12, July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: June 26
Eligibility: High school students
The University of Colorado Science Discovery: Neuroscience program is a one-week immersive experience that introduces high school students to how the brain and nervous system function. You will explore core topics such as sensory systems, learning, memory, behavior, and brain development through activities spanning neuroscience, psychology, anatomy, and genetics. The program includes lab tours, guest presentations from researchers, and mini-experiments that examine memory, sensory processing, and cognitive load. You gain practical exposure to research techniques through activities like electrophysiology simulations, DNA extraction, and neuroanatomy dissections.
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $650 (full scholarship available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12
The CU Science Discovery Medical Student Experience is a one-week, hands-on program that introduces high school students to the science and practice of medicine. You will develop core clinical skills through interactive labs and demonstrations, which may include physical exams, anatomy activities, suturing and injection practice, casting, and ultrasound. Throughout the program, you interact with medical trainees and healthcare professionals, gaining insight into daily life in medical training and patient care. The experience also introduces a range of medical career paths, helping you understand how different healthcare roles work together.
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $1,200 (full scholarships available on a first-come, first-served basis)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: June 1 – 12
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12
The CU Boulder Biomedical Research Bootcamp is a two-week intensive pre-college program that immerses you in biomedical laboratory research at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. You will work under the guidance of faculty mentors and graduate students to learn core research techniques used in cell and molecular biology, genetics, and biomedical science. The program includes hands-on lab work using state-of-the-art equipment, data analysis training, and exposure to the scientific research process from hypothesis generation to experimental design. You also participate in seminars on scientific communication and research ethics.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,500 + $95 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 3, July 13 – 24
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship is an intensive program for high school students interested in science, medicine, and surgical careers. You will study cardiac and thoracic anatomy, physiology, and disease through faculty-led lectures covering coronary artery disease, valve disorders, lung disease, and congenital heart conditions. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing you to practice foundational surgical skills like knot tying, suturing, instrument handling, and simulated procedures under the guidance of Stanford surgeons and residents. You are also introduced to diagnostic tools such as ECG interpretation, echocardiography, and medical imaging, alongside ethical considerations and career pathways in cardiothoracic surgery.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive application
Dates: June 15 – July 23 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Mary S. Easton Center at UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program is a six-week virtual summer program that introduces high school students to neuroscience with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. You will attend structured three-hour sessions, three days per week, featuring live seminars on brain science, neurodegeneration, and neurological disorders. The program includes Neurology Grand Rounds, journal clubs focused on analyzing current research literature, and virtual lab activities that introduce key neuroscience research methods. You interact with UCLA faculty, clinicians, and researchers through guest lectures and discussions about careers in neuroscience and medicine.
Location: BVSD high schools
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: Varies based on the course
Application Deadline: Varies based on the course
Eligibility: BVSD high school students (grades 9-12)
BVSD’s Physical, Health, and Safety Education program consists of required high school courses focused on fitness, wellness, and lifelong healthy habits. You will participate in a range of activities such as team sports, strength and conditioning, aerobic fitness, and inclusive options like unified or adaptive PE. The program also includes health education covering nutrition, mental wellness, injury prevention, and basic CPR skills in select electives. Through regular activity and assessments, you build motor skills, cardiovascular endurance, teamwork, and an understanding of safe exercise practices.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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