15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Illinois
- Stephen Turban
- Nov 2
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student considering a future in healthcare, medical programs give you the chance to experience college-level academics while also getting a preview of campus life. Beyond lectures and labs, these programs often include practical activities, exposure to clinical or research environments, and the opportunity to strengthen skills such as communication and teamwork.
Illinois has many medical institutions that provide facilities for those seeking a career in the medical sciences. If you’re a local, these institutions in can let you explore various initiatives in the field, such as working on combining engineering and technology with medicine or conducting advanced cancer research and treatment options. They can also connect you with professionals working in medicine, giving you insight into the realities of the field.
To help with your search, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 medical programs for high school students in Illinois.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
In the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you can take on an independent research project in medicine, neuroscience, or health sciences under the mentorship of a PhD scholar. Over 12 weeks, you’ll meet regularly with your mentor online to develop a research question, conduct a literature review, and refine your methods before drafting a formal research paper. Since the program is remote, you’ll manage your own schedule while maintaining accountability through check-ins. Along the way, you’ll gain skills in designing methodologies, analyzing data, and presenting your findings clearly.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
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)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Through Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you can explore how artificial intelligence is being used in healthcare to improve diagnostics, treatment, and patient care. The program, created by Harvard graduate students, combines technical training in areas such as machine learning, neural networks, and data science with case studies from medicine. You’ll work on collaborative projects that may involve analyzing medical images, building predictive healthcare models, or creating diagnostic tools. The programs typically run 10–15 weeks and include substantial hands-on work with Python programming.
Location: Various colleges in Chicago
Stipend: Taxable stipend of $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Second week of June – first week of August
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) residing in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
ResearcHStart is an eight-week, full-time summer program that places you in a cancer research lab at institutions in Chicago and Urbana-Champaign. As a participant, you’ll study topics ranging from immunology and pharmacology to bioengineering and health disparities while contributing to ongoing lab projects. The program integrates workshops, faculty lectures, and one-on-one mentoring to help you strengthen both technical and critical thinking skills. In addition to lab experience, you’ll explore the broader impact of cancer by discussing its effects on individuals and communities. This medical program for high school students in Illinois concludes with a symposium where you present your findings to peers, scientists, and community members.
Location: Southern Illinois Healthcare facilities
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 10 – July 17
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school students
The SIH High School Summer Internship Program gives you direct exposure to careers in healthcare by placing you in structured shadowing experiences across departments such as nursing, radiology, respiratory therapy, physical and occupational therapy, pharmacy, and laboratory sciences. The program is open to high school students interested in learning how clinical teams care for patients in real medical settings. You’ll observe professionals in action, whether that’s a nurse managing patient care, a technologist conducting imaging studies, or a therapist guiding patients through recovery. Each rotation in this medical program introduces you to different responsibilities and procedures, helping you compare various healthcare pathways.
Location: Rush University Medical Center
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20 - August 1
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors from Chicago (weighted GPA 2.5)
MedSTEM Explorers at Rush University Medical Center is a six-week paid pre-internship that introduces you to careers in healthcare while helping you build academic and workplace skills. You’ll spend two full days each week on campus, taking part in workshops, research projects, and discussions about health challenges facing Chicago communities. In addition to exploring healthcare pathways, you’ll work on college readiness through activities focused on collaboration, problem-solving, and time management. The program includes opportunities to earn CPR and first aid certifications, strengthening your practical skillset. There will be community service projects and career panels that will connect you with medical professionals and peers across the city. If you perform well, you may be invited to continue in the MedSTEM Pathways internship.
Location: University of Illinois, Chicago
Cost: Free; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school students completing sophomore, junior, or senior years from underrepresented backgrounds
The CHESS program, run by the University of Illinois Cancer Center with the UIC Urban Health Program, is an eight-week research experience for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds. You are paired with a UIC faculty lab to conduct an independent project in areas such as molecular biology, computational science, and biostatistics. Alongside your lab work, you attend lectures, workshops, and skill-building sessions that enhance both scientific knowledge and professional development. The program also provides mentorship and exposure to real-world cancer research, preparing you for future opportunities in science and healthcare. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your findings at the Cancer Center’s annual student research symposium.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500 taxable stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 trainees
Dates: 2 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school students in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology is a two-week virtual program designed for high school students who identify as women and are interested in exploring science and medicine with a focus on cancer. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in genetics-based research using home laboratory kits, collaborate on patient case study projects, and attend daily lectures led by faculty from various esteemed institutions. There will also be workshops and panel discussions that will provide you with insight into careers in biomedical science while giving you the chance to build professional connections. The program concludes with presentations where you share your work with peers and mentors.
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford
Cost: There is no cost for this program. Students will be paid a stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5 students each year
Application deadline: April 1
Dates: June 10–August 2
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old are eligible to apply; you can review the list of eligible high schools here
At the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford, the Summer Science Internship places a small group of high school students in research laboratories for two months of hands-on experience. You’ll work alongside faculty and scientists on projects in areas such as cancer biology, vaccine development, or drug discovery, with guidance provided by mentors throughout the program. In addition to lab research, you’ll develop professional skills through resume building, practice interviews, and training in oral and poster presentations. You can present your findings at a research forum at the conclusion of this medical program for high school students in Illinois.
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 35 students
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older by program start
At the University of Chicago, you can choose between two intensive four-week summer practicums designed for students interested in research. The Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) program starts with two weeks of training in lab techniques, followed by work on an independent project in areas such as genetics, microbiology, or cancer biology. You’ll spend most of your time in labs, read primary scientific papers, maintain a lab notebook, and present your results at a research forum. Stones and Bones, on the other hand, focuses on paleontology and combines lab work in Chicago with a field expedition in Wyoming, where you’ll excavate fossils and work alongside Field Museum scientists.
Location: Various locations across Chicago
Stipend: $1,200; Additional stipends up to $2,000 available for qualifying students based on financial need and placement site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Two-year program with monthly sessions; Fall session begins November 15
Application deadline: August 4 – September 29
Eligibility: First-year applicants must be 15+, entering sophomore or junior year of high school, and have an academic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale
Northwestern Medicine’s GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program helps you learn about healthcare through monthly sessions held during the school year. You’ll take part in hospital tours, clinical workshops, and discussions with medical professionals across various specialties. The program covers leadership, mentorship, and service, with opportunities for you to work on team-based projects and explore different career paths in healthcare. By meeting physicians, staff, and mentors, you’ll gain a firsthand understanding of how hospitals function and what roles exist in the medical field.
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cost: Free; monetary award upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 5% acceptance rate
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program is a six-week, in-person experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that places you in one of several research groups depending on your interests. You’ll commit about 30–35 hours per week to lab work and professional development, collaborating with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students in fields such as neuroscience, cancer immunology, or bioengineering. There will be weekly seminars that cover topics such as college admissions, effective scientific communication, and preparing research posters. The experience concludes with a symposium where you present your work to the broader campus community.
Location: Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL
Cost: $100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 50 students
Dates: June 24–26
Application deadline: Applications will open on January 6
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who reside in and attend high school in a rural community with a population of 25,000 or fewer are eligible to apply
The Rural Health Careers Camp is a three-day overnight program designed to introduce you to a wide range of healthcare professions. Throughout the camp, you’ll rotate through more than 20 hands-on activities and labs that demonstrate different medical career paths. You’ll also interact with current healthcare providers and student mentors while experiencing residence hall life on a university campus. Each day is structured with activities from morning until evening, including career workshops, team-building games, and guest lectures. One day of the program is spent at the UIC Health Sciences Campus–Rockford, where you’ll explore healthcare education and training facilities.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $6,795 (residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive applicant pool
Dates: June 23–July 10 | July 17–August 3
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students must be between the ages of 14 and 18 and have completed at least one year of high school
At Northwestern University, the NSLC hosts the Medicine Intensive High School Summer Program, which gives you a close look at healthcare through lectures, workshops, and realistic simulations. You’ll practice clinical skills such as suturing and surgical knot tying, participate in emergency care scenarios, and take part in anatomy labs that examine internal body structures. Beyond clinical practice, the program incorporates discussions on medical ethics, public health issues, and patient communication to provide a well-rounded view of medicine. There will be multi-day simulations that immerse you in situations such as emergency medicine or wilderness care, requiring you to apply teamwork and problem-solving under pressure. The program also includes group projects, such as preparing a public health campaign, which blend science with leadership and communication skills.
Location: The University of Chicago
Cost: Residential: $8,900; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Session 1: June 14 - July 4 | Session 2: July 7 - July 26
Application deadline: Priority: January 22 | Regular: March 5 | Extended: April 15
Eligibility: Current high school students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade are eligible to apply. Applicants must be at least 14 years old
The University of Chicago’s three-week Summer Immersion program allows you to earn undergraduate credit while taking an intensive course in medicine or related fields such as neuroscience and biology. Classes meet daily on campus and are taught by university faculty, combining seminar-style discussions with research-based assignments. If you choose the medicine track, you may study subjects such as infectious disease, biotechnology, or molecular biology while working on group projects and case studies. You will live in residence halls during the session, creating a full college-style experience that includes both academics and community life. Each course comes with 100 units of UChicago undergraduate credit, which would be equal to a quarter-long course.
Location: The University of Chicago
Cost: $14,490 (need-based financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: June 14 - July 12
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Current high school students in 10th or 11th grade; At least 15 years old
The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine provides rising high school seniors with six to eight weeks of paid, full-time research experience. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care and contribute to either basic or clinical projects focused on lung disease. The medical program combines day-to-day lab work with enrichment activities aimed at preparing you for college and future opportunities in science or medicine. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your findings at the Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Symposium, gaining practice in communicating your work to peers and faculty.
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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