15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Wisconsin
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
Internships are a structured way to explore your academic interests and gain early exposure to college-level learning. If you are interested in medicine, internships in the field can place you in a research or healthcare setting, offering opportunities to contribute to scientific studies, shadow professionals, and explore career paths in medicine. These programs can also help you develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, all of which are valuable for future academic and career paths.
What medical programs can you expect in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is home to respected universities, research centers, hospitals, and allied healthcare facilities that provide high schoolers with exposure to medical roles. In the state, you will find opportunities centered on clinical shadowing, lab research, public health initiatives, and medical education workshops hosted by universities and healthcare systems. Many of these opportunities are designed to serve both local students and out-of-state students by offering rigorous medical experiences within well-established organizations.
To make your search easier, we have discussed 15 medical programs for high school students in Wisconsin.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Multiple sessions each year, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Available, amount not specified
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Mid-June – early August, six weeks
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors, age 16 or older; minimum 2.75 science and math GPA; must attend Milwaukee Public Schools, a Milwaukee area private or charter school, or a surrounding suburban school district
AIM is a paid six-week summer program hosted by the Medical College of Wisconsin that offers high school students early exposure to clinical medicine and healthcare careers. You will engage in physician shadowing, hands-on medical simulations, and workshops that explore topics in patient care and healthcare systems. The program offers mentorship from medical students and healthcare professionals, helping you explore medical education pathways and expectations. You will also produce an abstract and deliver an oral presentation focused on a disease or condition of your choice.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Multiple 10-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: January, May, September, or November, based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with AI/ML experience or prior completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Veritas AI runs a variety of fully virtual programs focused on hands-on AI exploration. The Deep Dive: AI + Medicine is designed to introduce high schoolers to the role of artificial intelligence within healthcare and medicine. As a participant, you will spend 25 hours learning about and working on AI applications that help address a need within medicine/healthcare. The curriculum also covers topics such as neural networks and basic clinical evaluation. You will also find support from mentors to work on projects focused on the intersection of AI and medicine. You can learn about the program through its brochure and the application form.
Location: CTSI partner sites across Wisconsin, including clinical, research, and community-based settings
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 22 – July 31
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility:
High school students, age 16 or older, minimum 2.5 GPA
Undergraduate and graduate students, minimum 3.0 GPA
This summer internship places you in clinical, translational research, or community health workplaces affiliated with CTSI. You will undergo non-credit research training and engage in professional skill development while working with clinicians, researchers, and public health professionals. Depending on your placement, your work may involve contributing to clinical research, lab operations, or community health initiatives. The program offers mentorship, career exploration opportunities, and exposure to how scientific discoveries contribute to healthcare efforts. Across six to eight weeks, you will build skills in health research, professional communication, and community-engaged science within real healthcare and research systems.
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified, applications reviewed holistically
Program dates: Six Saturdays from November through April
Application deadline: September 30
Eligibility: High school students in Milwaukee Public Schools or charter or private schools in the Milwaukee metropolitan area with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
At STEP-UP, you will participate in six Saturday sessions during the academic year to explore a variety of health science careers. During these sessions, you will hear from college pre-med students, Medical College of Wisconsin students, practicing physicians, and other health professionals. The program aims to help you explore different career paths in health science, medicine, and research through age-appropriate activities. Each session is led by professionals who can share their experiences and help you understand what it takes to pursue a career in healthcare.
Location: Various sites in Milwaukee, WI
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Fall semester through early June, one full academic year
Application deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, age 16 or older, minimum 3.5 GPA, exceptions considered with explanation; must complete or be enrolled in Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I and II, and two years of English or Composition
SUPREMES (Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science) is an academic-year biomedical research program divided into two modules. During Module One (fall semester), you will attend workshops twice a week at the Medical College of Wisconsin campus to learn laboratory techniques, data analysis, safety protocols, and scientific writing. In Module Two (spring semester), you will work a minimum of six hours per week in a biomedical engineering research laboratory matched to your interests. Throughout the program, you will maintain a laboratory notebook, engage in journal club discussions, and complete monthly reflections. At the end of the year, you will write a scientific manuscript, create a research poster, and present your findings at a research symposium. If you successfully complete the program as a junior, you will be invited to return for continued lab experience during your senior year.
Location: St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI
Cost / Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates:Session 1: June 16 – 19Session 2: June 23 – 26
Application deadline: Not specified; registration opens January 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Summer Academy of Medicine is a hands-on, residential program designed for high school students exploring careers in medicine and biomedical research. Hosted by St. Norbert College, the program allows you to live on campus, work in modern laboratory facilities, and explore medical concepts and fields. You will learn from faculty and professionals while gaining insight into the skills, educational pathways, and personal qualities required for careers in medicine, research, or science. Classes take place in the Gehl-Mulva Science Center and emphasize ethics, teamwork, leadership, and real-world application. Here, you will also receive an introduction to college-level medical education.
Location: Virtual
Cost / Stipend: Free; $500 taxable stipend
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Program dates: July 21 – August 1, two weeks
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Wisconsin high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
SHE in Oncology is a virtual program hosted by the UW–Madison Carbone Cancer Center that introduces high school students to cancer research and oncology-related careers. During the first week, you will complete guided at-home lab experiments studying Drosophila to explore how nutrients influence cancer-linked genes, collecting and analyzing data in collaborative groups. The second week focuses on cancer science and clinical care through expert-led talks, career exploration sessions, and a patient-centered case study project. You will work closely with near-peer mentors and present your findings at the conclusion of the program.
Location: Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI
Cost / Stipend: None
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June – August, dates vary based on slot availability
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older who have completed at least 30 volunteer hours at Mayo Clinic Health System
This free program is designed for high school and college students planning to pursue careers as nurse practitioners, physicians, or physician assistants. The program provides an opportunity to observe health professionals and build connections. As a participant, you will shadow professionals across various specialties in a clinical setting. The program begins with a two-hour orientation, followed by eight four-hour shadowing shifts scheduled during the summer. The program is limited to those who have volunteered at Mayo Clinic. Upon completing 30+ hours of volunteer service, you will receive an email with application details for MedEx.
Location: Carbone Cancer Center @ University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Stipend: $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7 (check details here)
Application deadline: February 6 (application window opens December 1)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 16 and up
In this eight-week program, you will engage in hands-on cancer research in a mentor lab at the UW Carbone Cancer Center. You will receive laboratory skills training, work one-on-one with a Principal Investigator, and develop your own research project. In addition to lab work, you will participate in activities including career exploration sessions with the School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy, pathology experiences, medical ethics discussions, career panels, and a science presentation workshop. At the end of the program, you will deliver a presentation on your research.
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: Free, daily lunch provided
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: August 4 – 7, one week boot camp, plus quarterly experiences throughout the year
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school and college students in the Milwaukee area; must have their own transportation to the program site
The Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program is a year-long program that begins with a four-day summer boot camp on the Medical College of Wisconsin campus. During the boot camp, you will explore pharmacy career pathways, participate in hands-on activities like compounding and vitals collection, and learn about the pharmacy school application process. Then, throughout the rest of the year, you will be matched with a pharmacist and a student pharmacist who will serve as your mentors. Quarterly experiences during the school year may include shadowing your mentor pharmacist at their practice site and discussing career goals. You will also gain exposure to different types of pharmacy research, learn about community engagement principles, and develop relationships with professionals in the field. The program covers education, research, patient care, and community engagement aspects of pharmacy careers.
Location: Sites in St. Croix County, WI
Cost: $50 nonrefundable confirmation fee; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Limited number of spots available
Program dates: Three days, dates to be announced
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, age 15 or older, enrolled in one of the following St. Croix County school districts: Amery, Baldwin-Woodville, Hudson, New Richmond, River Falls, Somerset, or St. Croix Central
At The Pulse, you will participate in a three-day healthcare exploration experience designed to help you discover different healthcare careers through hands-on activities. During the program, you will engage with healthcare professionals and medical industry experts who will lead learning experiences. You will engage in virtual behind-the-scenes tours of hospitals, clinics, and other health services facilities in the area. You will also learn about college and university healthcare programs and hear directly from current students about what it's like to study healthcare at the college level. The program can help you explore an array of healthcare careers and learn about different educational paths you can take in the future.
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin Central Wisconsin campus, Wausau, WI
Cost: Free, lunch provided
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program date: February 16
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, and pre-med college students
This one-day program allows you to explore what medical school and a career in medicine are like. During the event, you will learn about key topics and practices covered in medical school and graduate medical residency through hands-on experiences. You will have the opportunity to engage directly with medical school faculty and current medical students who can share their experiences. This is a Wisconsin AHEC program designed to offer a realistic glimpse into the medical education journey and help you plan your path to becoming a physician.
Location: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: March 30 – April 27, five sessions scheduled
Application deadline: To be announced in February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire students, and community members
This program is a collaboration between UW-Eau Claire's Health Careers Center and Mayo Clinic Health System. As a participant, you will attend a series of five presentations about the human body and paths to a career in medicine on the UW-Eau Claire campus. Each session is led by Mayo Clinic Health System physicians who specialize in various areas of medicine, including general surgery, family medicine, OB/GYN, hospital medicine, and emergency medicine. Each 90-minute session offers you the opportunity to learn directly from practicing physicians about various medical specialties and understand what it takes to pursue a career in medicine.
Location: Remote
Cost: Application fee: $45 + program fee: $2,400; financial aid available
Cohort size: ~50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred
This fully virtual program is designed for high school students interested in learning about AI in the context of healthcare innovation. As an intern, you will study how AI is used to address various issues in healthcare and work on tackling a real medical challenge with the assistance of AI tools. You will join a team of other high schoolers on research projects and engage in social activities, group work, and career-oriented sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will have access to the mentorship of Stanford Student Leads and researchers. You may also be able to access an extended academic-year research opportunity after the summer program ends.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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