15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Conway, AR
- Stephen Turban
- May 14
- 10 min read
Participating in academic programs during school is a solid option for high school students looking to bridge the gap between secondary education and professional life. These experiences provide you with advanced exposure to college-level academics and campus culture, allowing you to test your interests before committing to a degree. For those specifically interested in medicine, pursuing a specialized program is a strategic way to experience the realities of the healthcare field firsthand.
Why should I do a medical program in high school?
Enrolling in a medical program while still in high school offers concrete benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. These programs provide you with a significant boost to your college applications, as admissions officers highly value students who demonstrate early initiative and a proven commitment to a challenging career path like medicine. Beyond the administrative advantages, you gain hands-on experience, such as suturing, clinical shadowing, or laboratory research, that clarifies your professional goals before you reach university.
To get you started, we have carefully narrowed a list of 15 medical programs for high school students in Conway, AR.
15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Conway, AR
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 12-week program; Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3+
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research-focused opportunity designed for high school students who want to explore academic topics in depth. You work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent project in a subject area you choose. Over the course of twelve weeks, you learn how to form a research question, gather information, and develop your ideas into a full research paper. You can select from fields such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and several others.
Location: Conway Regional Medical Center, Conway, AR
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Maximum of 18 students
Dates: June 8 – 12 or June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: April 3 or April 11
Eligibility: High school students entering the 11th and 12th grades (rising juniors and seniors)
The Mini MASH program offers you a rigorous one-week introduction to the healthcare field through a partnership between Conway Regional Health System and UAMS. During this intensive day camp, you will engage in high-level clinical activities such as heart dissections, suturing, and learning proper casting and wrapping techniques. The curriculum is designed to give you a realistic view of medical professions through direct shadowing in various hospital departments and tours of specialized facilities, such as the Conway Regional Fitness Center. You can expect to collaborate with medical professionals to learn complex medical terminology and explore the diverse educational requirements for different health careers.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Location: Conway Regional Medical Center, Conway, AR
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Over 100 active members
Dates: Ongoing; minimum commitment of one four-hour shift per week
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Energetic individuals age 18 and older
Volunteering at Conway Regional Health System allows you to integrate into a professional medical environment while providing essential support to patients and staff. As a volunteer, you can choose from various assignment preferences, including the Women’s Center, Outpatient Reception, and Diabetes Education, allowing you to tailor your experience to your specific clinical interests. You will assist with information desk operations, provide comfort to families in waiting areas, or help coordinate logistics through the courtesy car service. This role is ideal for those seeking long-term industry exposure and the chance to observe the daily operations of a major medical center firsthand. Engaging in this program demonstrates a sustained commitment to healthcare, a vital component when applying to competitive medical programs for high school students in Conway.
Location: Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited; based on interview performance
Dates: June 1 – August 7 (Summer) or Year-round (minimum six-month commitment)
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18 (preference for ages 16+)
The Junior Volunteer Program at Arkansas Children’s Hospital provides you with a prestigious opportunity to support a leading pediatric facility through consistent, hands-on service. Whether you choose the intensive ten-week summer session or the year-round track, you will commit to weekly three-hour shifts where you assist patients, families, and medical staff in a fast-paced clinical environment. The selection process is highly competitive, requiring an interview in which you must demonstrate maturity, strong communication skills, and genuine motivation for service. This program is widely regarded as one of the most impactful medical programs for high school students in Conway and the surrounding areas, offering a profound look into pediatric medicine. You will gain significant industry exposure and learn to navigate the complexities of a professional healthcare setting while adhering to strict hospital regulations and immunization requirements.
Location: Baptist Health Medical Center, Little Rock, AR
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (Program begins June 1)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-17
The Baptist Health NextGen Summer Volunteer program provides you with a focused, month-long immersion into one of the region's largest private health systems. Throughout June, you will support various hospital functions, including assisting in inpatient units, staffing the main information desk, and providing support in the surgery center and critical care units. If you are accepted into the program, you may also have the opportunity to receive specialized training for roles in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). You will work closely with hospital team members to improve the patient experience, gaining valuable practical skills and industry exposure in a high-volume clinical setting. Participants are also eligible to apply for specialized awards, such as the Allison Justiss Volunteen Scholarship, further supporting your long-term academic goals in medicine.
Location: Various locations throughout Arkansas, including UAMS Regional Campuses
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Varies by site
Dates: Two-week sessions during the summer months
Application Deadline: February through April
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The MAS*H program, supported by the Arkansas Farm Bureau and UAMS, is a premier two-week summer enrichment experience designed to immerse you in rural healthcare. During this rigorous camp, you will earn your CPR certification and participate in specialized workshops covering suturing, sports medicine, and casting techniques. The curriculum provides you with a unique look into diverse fields such as dentistry, nursing, and emergency medicine through hands-on dissections and clinical projects. You will spend significant time shadowing medical professionals in various environments, allowing you to gain deep industry exposure and establish valuable connections within the Arkansas healthcare community. Because this program focuses heavily on promoting family medicine and addressing rural health needs, it stands out as one of the most comprehensive medical programs for high school students in Conway and the surrounding regions.
Location: UAMS College of Pharmacy, Little Rock, AR
Cost: $150 (Includes lab materials, activity supplies, and meals)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited capacity; waitlist available
Dates: June 1 – 3
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The UAMS College of Pharmacy Summer Camp offers you a specialized three-day immersion into the pharmaceutical sciences and the diverse career paths within the profession. Throughout this program, you'll participate in hands-on pharmacy practice training and student-led lab sessions that simulate real-world clinical scenarios. You'll attend lectures from distinguished College of Pharmacy faculty and local practitioners, offering a wide industry perspective. In addition to clinical skills, the camp includes interactive games and activities led by Student Ambassadors, along with a detailed tour of the Little Rock campus. This experience is a prestigious addition to your portfolio if you are targeting highly competitive medical programs for high school students in Conway, as it demonstrates early commitment to a vital healthcare niche.
Location: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
Cost/Stipend: Free (Grant-funded by the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified; competitive selection based on interest/ability
Dates: June 16 – 20 (Commuter) | June 22 – 27 (Residential)
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10, 11, and 12
The AI Robotics & Ethics camp at the University of Central Arkansas offers you a unique interdisciplinary look at the future of technology and medicine. During this one-week program, you will work in teams to build and program autonomous robot cars using advanced machine learning algorithms and hardware integration. While the core work is technical, the curriculum places a heavy emphasis on the moral and ethical dimensions of AI, which is increasingly relevant in modern medical diagnostics and robotic surgery. You will engage with complex readings in philosophy and ethics, culminating in a final competition in which you showcase your robot's autonomous capabilities.
Location: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
Cost/Stipend: Free (Grant-funded)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified; selective application process
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 7th through 9th grade students
The Summer STEAM Academy at UCA offers you a unique multidisciplinary experience that integrates ecology and the visual arts. Throughout this one-week commuter program, you will engage in daily modules focused on examining native Arkansas ecosystems, with a specific emphasis on identifying local bird species, tree structures, and freshwater microorganisms. You will use scientific observation techniques to collect data and translate the findings into creative works through various art and design methods. The program culminates in the collaborative construction of a visual STEAM installation that reflects your research on local species and environmental health.
Location: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified; based on competitive scoring of applications
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (until all spots are filled)
Eligibility: Students ages 12–14
The Girls in STEM program at the University of Central Arkansas is a specialized initiative designed to bridge the gender gap in technical fields by connecting you with female professionals across the state. During this intensive week-long day camp, you will participate in hands-on activities, enriching career conversations, and field trips that highlight the diverse opportunities available in science and technology. The curriculum is built on proven pedagogical strategies to encourage persistence in STEM, allowing you to explore everything from engineering principles to medical innovations. You will interact directly with mentors who provide real-world industry exposure and guidance on navigating future academic paths.
Location: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
Cost/Stipend: Not specified; check website for registration details
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 5
Application Deadline: Annually in June (check website for specific registration window)
Eligibility: Upcoming high school juniors and seniors with disabilities, graduating seniors with disabilities, and college freshmen
College Bound Arkansas is a transformative residential program held on the University of Central Arkansas campus that prepares you for the transition to post-secondary education. During this four-day experience, you will live in real college dorms and participate in sessions focused on self-advocacy, assistive technology, and mental health awareness. You can expect to work with mentors who are current college students using campus supports, helping you understand the academic requirements and institutional expectations of higher education. The curriculum also covers essential practical skills such as time management, study techniques, and navigating financial aid systems.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: Registration typically opens in the spring
Eligibility: Current 8th through 12th grade students
VIRTUAL Camp Med offers you a flexible, 100% online platform to explore the vast landscape of healthcare professions at your own pace. This 20-hour program is structured into five comprehensive modules, including focused studies on human body systems, regional health trends, and specific career pathways. By engaging with interactive activities and maintaining a digital notebook, you will gain a clear understanding of the educational requirements and daily realities of various medical roles. Upon completing the required coursework, you receive a certificate that serves as a valuable credential for your future college and job applications.
Location: Online (with optional on-site tour in Winston-Salem, NC)
Cost: Approximately $50 for household materials
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (ages 14 to 18)
The Virtual Regenerative Medicine Academy, hosted by the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, offers an elite introduction to a cutting-edge field in healthcare. During the intensive week, you'll engage in expert-led lessons and hands-on activities such as chicken wing dissections and at-home 3D bioprinting simulations to explore tissue engineering. The curriculum demonstrates how scientific principles are used to repair or replace damaged cells and organs, providing an in-depth look at emerging technologies shaping future medicine. Additionally, there's a unique opportunity to attend an optional half-day on-site at the institute for workshops and facility tours.
Location: Online (University of California, Irvine)
Cost: $2,350 (Scholarships available for low-income families)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited; rolling admissions basis
Dates: June 22 – July 10 (Session One) | July 13 – 31 (Session Two)
Application Deadline: Late January to early February
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18 with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA
The Summer Online Research Program at the UC Irvine School of Medicine is a rigorous three-week mentored experience that introduces you to the fundamentals of biomedical research. Under the guidance of university faculty and coaches, you will learn how to critically evaluate medical literature and understand the core concepts of evidence-based medicine. The curriculum is highly interactive, requiring you to write an organized research report and, as a co-author, potentially submit an abstract to a national medical meeting. Throughout the program, you will have the chance to network with undergraduate and postgraduate mentors who can provide personal advice regarding your future college applications.
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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