16 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in California
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student in California interested in healthcare, medicine, or related fields, a medical summer program in the state can be a great place to start!
Medical programs designed for high school students can give you early exposure to college-level academics in fields like biology, clinical medicine, public health, and medical technology. These programs often offer hands-on learning opportunities, professional mentorship, and chances to pick up handy skills such as patient communication, diagnostic reasoning, and ethical decision-making.
California is home to many credible medical institutions and research universities that offer high schoolers chances to explore medicine without committing to an expensive or time-consuming pre-college experience. These programs also allow you to assess your interest in healthcare careers before entering college, helping you make better-informed decisions.
To help you get started, we have listed 15 medical summer programs for high school students in California. We narrowed down the options based on factors like academic rigor, funding opportunities, prestige, acceptance selectivity, and the networking potential these opportunities offer. Some of the programs are competitive and fully funded, making them ideal for high achievers looking to make the most of the summer break.
Location: Stanford University’s School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application deadline: February 22
Program dates: June 9 – July 31
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee that can be waived | A minimum stipend of $500 is offered; $1,500+ is offered to students from underrepresented backgrounds
Acceptance rate: ~3%, 50 students admitted each year.
The SIMR Program is a selective medical research opportunity for high school students in the country who are interested in biomedical research. Each year, only about 50 students are accepted from a highly competitive applicant pool. Here, you will work under the guidance of Stanford faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in one of eight research tracks: neurobiology, immunology, bioinformatics, cancer biology, stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioengineering, cardiovascular biology, and genetics and genomics. During the eight-week program, you will engage in full-time laboratory research, attend specialized lectures, and build skills in scientific inquiry and presentation. The program ends in a formal research poster presentation, where you will share your findings with peers and experts.
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Eligibility: Highly motivated high school students aged 16+
Application deadlines: March 31
Program dates: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22 (10 weeks)
Stipend: Funding TBD; unpaid roles may offer academic credit Acceptance rate: Highly competitive; ~40 total spots across all education levels
Scripps Research Translational Institute offers two internships for high school students in biomedical research, of which its Student Research Internship Program focuses on translational science. Here, you will work alongside leading researchers and receive one-on-one mentorship while contributing to real-world studies on genomics, digital health, clinical trials, and community health engagement. You will get first-hand insights into the steps involved in setting up clinical trials, including proposing, designing, conducting, and analyzing them. The program also offers training in data analysis and research design and workshops on scientific communication. At the end of the program, you will present your findings to fellow interns and Scripps mentors.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale; no prior research experience required
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort | Upcoming Summer cohort’s applications are due on May 11
Program dates: Multiple cohorts are available year-round. Summer Cohort I starts on June 2
Cost: Fees starting from $2,990 | 100% financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Selective
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective research opportunity for high school students interested in exploring fields like neuroscience, epidemiology, and biomedical sciences. Through 1-on-1 mentorship with PhD researchers, you will develop an independent research project over 12 to 20 weeks. The program is fully virtual and ends with the completion your research paper, which may be submitted for publication. Designed for ambitious students, Lumiere offers personalized guidance, deep academic engagement, and a strong foundation in the research process. Whether you are preparing college applications or exploring future careers in medicine, this program can be a rigorous and rewarding research experience.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in healthcare and prior coding experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohorts. The Summer Cohort deadline is May 25
Program dates: Varies depending on session | Multiple cohorts are conducted throughout the year
Cost/Stipend: $2,290 | Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Selective program
The Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive introduces high school students to the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Through interactive sessions, you will explore how AI tools and machine learning models are revolutionizing medical diagnostics, treatment planning, and healthcare delivery. Over the course of the program, you will complete coding exercises, use healthcare datasets, and collaborate on a final group project that addresses a real-world medical issue using AI. During the program, you will also explore topics like medical data preparation, convolutional neural networks, and fundamentals of clinical evolution. The experience ends with a group presentation that is evaluated by PhD mentors.
Location: Stanford University’s School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older by June
Application deadline: Typically in November
Program dates: June 23 – August 8
Stipend: Unpaid; transportation costs may be covered.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective; ~20 students accepted per cohort
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship Program offers a specialized medical summer experience focused on biotechnology and surgical innovation. Designed for high school students, the program provides hands-on exposure to the latest techniques in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical device development. During the program, you will work directly with Stanford’s renowned reconstructive surgeons and research scientists, gaining real-world insights into how cutting-edge tools are transforming patient care. Throughout the seven-week program, you will explore labs, attend seminars, and work on collaborative projects that highlight the intersection of medicine, technology, and design. The opportunity is worth considering if you are curious about the future of medical innovation and biotechnology.
Location: Virtual and in-person options at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
Application deadline: March (typically)
Program dates: Virtual session: June 16 – 27; in-person session I: July 7 – 18; In-person session II: July 21 – August 1
Cost/Stipend: Virtual: $1,595; in-person: $2,895 | Financial assistance is available.
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a 10-day program designed for high school students passionate about neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. Hosted by Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CNI-X blends academic exploration with real-world problem solving, offering both virtual and in-person sessions. Here, you will attend seminars and interactive Stanford faculty-led lectures covering topics such as clinical neuropsychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, brain imaging, and social neuroscience. You will also work in a small group on a capstone project that proposes solutions to challenges at the intersection of neuroscience and mental health. The program concludes with a final presentation, where you share your work with peers, faculty, and family members.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound students
Application deadline: March 17
Program dates: June 23 – July 25
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; no stipend
Acceptance rate: Precise rate is unspecified; however, ~20 students are selected per year
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week academic and research-intensive program designed to support high-achieving, low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California. The tuition-free experience offers exposure to the medical and public health fields through clinical internships, academic lectures, and small-group research projects addressing real-world health disparities. Here, you will attend hands-on workshops in anatomy, research methodology, and epidemiology, while also preparing for college through dedicated sessions on admissions and career planning. You will interact with Stanford faculty, clinicians, and peers.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), CA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (with potential to mentor future interns); Applicants should preferably be interested in continuing research during the academic year
Application deadline: April 4
Program dates: June 9 - August 1
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; unpaid
Acceptance rate: Selective
The UCLA BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship offers an immersive introduction to neuroscience, sports medicine, and brain injury research. The program offers you a chance to explore cutting-edge topics in brain health and concussion research alongside leading scientists and clinicians at UCLA. Over the course of the internship, you will participate in research activities such as literature reviews, data collection, and statistical analysis. You will also gain hands-on experience with advanced tools and technologies used in cognitive neuroscience and clinical research. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars, lectures, and discussions with experts to broaden your understanding of the real-world applications of neuroscience in sports and medicine.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and California residents | Undergraduate students with computer science experience may apply as student leads
Application deadline: February 28
Program dates: June 16 – 27
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee | Financial aid is offered.
Acceptance rate: ~25 interns accepted per session
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a rigorous two-week virtual program for students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Hosted by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), this program offers high school students the opportunity to explore how AI is being used to revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatment. As an intern, you will engage in lectures, mentorship sessions, and collaborative research projects with Stanford AI researchers and engineers. The program also includes Virtual Career Lunch and Learns, where you can interact with professionals from academia, government, and the nonprofit sector. You may also be able to access an extended independent research internship opportunity once the program ends.
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+ and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application deadline: March 12
Program dates: June 2 – August 8 (10 weeks)
Stipend: $4,500
Acceptance rate: 9.5%; 71 students selected last year, with ~60% of them being high school students
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy gives high school students the chance to work alongside leading biomedical researchers at City of Hope. Over 10 weeks, you will work on laboratory-based projects addressing critical health challenges like cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases. You will be assigned a research topic and paired with a mentor, typically a physician-scientist or postdoctoral fellow, who guides your progress. The program includes weekly seminars, training workshops, and instruction in scientific ethics and communication. During the program, you will prepare a formal research paper and present your findings at the end of the session. Socialization opportunities and field trips are also part of the experience.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+, live in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties, hold a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA, and have prior exposure to biology, chemistry, or programming.
Application deadline: February 28
Program dates: June 16 – August 7
Cost: Free to participate; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate: ~5%; 20 positions open to 400+ applicants
The GRIPS program at Stanford University offers hands-on summer research experience in the fast-evolving field of genomics. Over eight weeks, you will work in active research labs, conducting experiments and contributing to ongoing biomedical studies under the guidance of Stanford scientists. As a GRIPS intern, you will also attend weekly seminars, career panels, and cohort sessions that deepen your understanding of genomic research and its real-world applications. Here, regular check-ins with your assigned mentor are part of the experience to help you ensure you make steady progress and get appropriate support. This medical summer program offers you direct exposure to academic research in a top-tier lab environment.
Location: Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, CA
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 attending select schools in San Diego
Application deadline: TBA
Program dates: June 16 – August 8
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; a stipend is offered.
Acceptance rate: Selective
The OPTIMUS Outreach Program is an eight-week summer internship designed for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in cancer biology and medicine. Hosted at UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, the program provides an opportunity to participate in both laboratory research and clinical shadowing. Here, you will gain firsthand experience in cancer research, learn clinical skills like suturing from surgical residents, and work closely with medical professionals on active projects. The program emphasizes mentorship, skill development, and representation in medical research.
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled in SFUSD schools, San Francisco charter schools, or College Track San Francisco | Especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds in science are encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: March 2
Program dates: June 9 – August 1
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend. For part-time (25 hrs/week) participation, a stipend of $3,200 is offered, and for full-time (35 hrs/week) participation, a $4,500 stipend is offered.
Acceptance rate: Low; 50 applicants interviewed for 25 spots
The UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) High School Intern Program is a competitive research experience for students passionate about biomedical science. Over eight weeks, you will work under the guidance of a UCSF scientist mentor on research in cutting-edge areas such as neuroscience, immunology, cancer biology, stem cells, and infectious disease. In addition to hands-on lab experience, the program offers extensive college readiness support, including resume-building workshops, college advising, financial aid guidance, and campus tours. You will also gain early exposure to real research environments and get to network with professionals in STEM fields.
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 – 19 years old and have completed at least 9th grade by June, including recent graduates | Preference may be given to students affiliated with RCHSD or who reside in the San Diego region.
Application deadline: February 21
Program dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18
Cost/Stipend: There is a cost to attend; the exact amount is not specified | Limited scholarships are available for students from eligible Title I San Diego County high schools.
Acceptance rate: Unspecified
The Summer Medical Academy (SMA) is a hands-on, two-week program for high school students interested in exploring careers in healthcare. Hosted by Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego, the program gives you the opportunity to engage in clinical workshops, lab activities, medical simulations, and career panels led by healthcare professionals. You will also engage in lectures and interactive discussions, skills sessions, group projects, and team-building, networking, and self-care opportunities. You will gain practical insights into fields such as pediatrics, emergency medicine, surgery, and nursing, while learning about public health and medical ethics. The program encourages learning through doing and sharing your experience through group projects and presentations.
Location: MISA office, Oakland, CA
Eligibility: High school students
Application deadline: March 7
Program dates: Cohort A: June 2 – 6; Cohort B: June 9 – 13; Cohort C: July 21 – 25; Cohort D: July 28 – August 1
Cost/Stipend: $1,800 program fee + $75 application fee
Acceptance rate: Selective
The MISA Summer Program is a one-week, immersive medical experience designed for high school students interested in healthcare careers. Throughout the week, you will gain hands-on training in clinical procedures like phlebotomy, participate in hospital-based simulations, and work collaboratively with peers in a team-based environment that mirrors real healthcare settings. You will also earn 5+ industry-recognized certifications, such as those in communication, teamwork, and basic life support, which remain valid for at least two years. These certifications highlight that you have picked up skills during the program that are not only transferable across healthcare roles but also beneficial for future academic and professional experiences. In addition to technical training, MISA promotes personal growth and peer bonding, helping you network with fellow aspiring healthcare professionals.
Location: University of California, Berkeley, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: High school students
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program dates: June 13 – 21; June 25 – July 3; July 7 – 15; July 19 – 27
Cost/Stipend: $4,195 | Scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Selective
The NSLC’s Medicine & Healthcare is a nine-day summer program designed to introduce high school students to the fields of medicine and healthcare through hands-on learning and leadership development. Here, you will practice clinical skills like measuring blood pressure, engage in emergency response simulations, and explore real-world medical scenarios. Beyond practical training, the program focuses on leadership development, offering workshops on communication, decision-making, and ethical challenges in healthcare. Taught by experts and held on prestigious campuses, this NSLC program is an opportunity to experience college life, connect with like-minded peers, and explore careers in medicine.
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 opportunity in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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