15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student in New York City interested in getting hands-on experience in medicine and healthcare, a medical program in the city is worth considering this summer!
Summer medical programs can be great ways to explore your interest in medicine before committing to a college degree. Additionally, NYC is home to many known medical schools, universities, and hospitals that offer high school students opportunities to engage in healthcare/medicine or biomedical research, explore clinical settings, and connect with medical professionals.
You also get to access mentorship, lab training, and job shadowing opportunities as a medical program participant. These programs can also be ways to learn about different career paths, like nursing, pathology, medical imaging, veterinary medicine, or healthcare support tasks.
Here, we have listed 15 medical summer programs for high school students in NYC based on the learning and networking opportunities, rigor, and ease of access they offer.
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: December 13
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 with good academic performance and high aptitude and interest in science | Local applicants and participants of any HICCC/Columbia University-related events or activities are given preference.
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Columbia University’s Youth Enjoy Science Training in Health Equity, Highlighting Environmental Inequities, & Growing neighborHood Teachers and Students (YES in the HEIGHTS) program is a summer internship. At the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), you will work alongside leading researchers and physicians and engage in cancer research. Over two summers, you will get hands-on scientific training and the opportunity to work on an independent research project, which will be related to your faculty mentor’s research. You can also join your mentor’s existing research work instead of coming up with your own project. During the program, you will attend a weekly HICCC Cancer Biology Journal Club with your peers to present and discuss cancer research articles, complete an individual development plan, submit a scientific abstract, and in the second year, make a scientific oral presentation.
Dates: Vary according to cohort; you will spend 25 hours on the program over 10 weeks
Application deadline: Varies based on the cohort | The upcoming Summer cohort’s deadline is May 25.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 12 who have completed AI Scholars or have some experience with coding
Location: Virtual
The Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive is an online opportunity to explore AI fundamentals and build a group project examining the role of AI in healthcare and medical processes, such as in pharma discoveries, neuroscience, and hospital admissions. Over 10 weeks, you will engage in interactive lectures, discussions, and workshops with leading AI researchers in the medical and healthcare field. You will also learn concepts such as neural networks, medical data preparation, and clinical evolution. You can find out more about the program by checking out the brochure and the application form.
Dates: Varies as per the type of program and cohort
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year | The upcoming cohort’s application window closes on May 11
Eligibility: High school students
Location: Virtual
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. It can offer you a chance to explore the healthcare and medicine field in detail and engage in research. While applying, you can choose the subject area Medicine & Public Health on the application form here. If selected, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project on a topic of your choice. You will also attend online workshops on the research process and sessions with a writing coach. You will end the experience by completing your college-level research paper!
Cost: Free with a $2,500 stipend
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students in the Bronx who are at least 16 and are entering the 11th and 12th grades in the fall
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
The Bronx Einstein Youth Oncology Network Dedicated to Academic Learning, Biomedical Education, and Research Training (BEYOND ALBERT) is an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge scientific research under the mentorship of an Einstein faculty member. Here, you will get hands-on lab-based research experience, attend professional development workshops and seminars, and develop research presentations, with the opportunity to present your work to faculty. You will also attend seminars led by MECCC faculty, students, and postdocs. You also have the option to participate in the weekly after-school program from September through May. Here, you will participate in scientific talks and workshops and get to develop your research skills.
Cost: Free
Dates: TBA; the program is conducted over two years, including two four-week summer sessions
Application deadline: April 19
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors with an overall minimum GPA of 80
Location: The City University of New York’s School of Medicine, New York, NY
CUNY School of Medicine’s Sophie Davis Health Professions Mentorship (HPMP) program is meant for students interested in healthcare roles like nurse, physician assistant, and occupational therapist. Spread across two consecutive years, the program begins in the high school junior year with the four-week summer component in July and monthly Saturday classes conducted throughout the academic year. Here, you will be mentored by Sophie Davis faculty and medical students and work on a community-based project to address a challenge and develop a solution to health care problems in NYC. You will also attend seminars and problem-solving sessions and get to work on your decision-making and collaboration skills. The Saturday sessions give you an opportunity to explore clinical cases, healthcare professions, and the college admissions process, as well as prepare for the SAT/ACT and engage in mock interviews.
Cost: Free with $1,200 stipend
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the main Manhattan campus of MSK Cancer Center, and are authorized to work in the U.S.
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center main campus, Manhattan, NYC, NY
The Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Summer Student Program (SSP) is an eight-week paid lab-based summer internship for high school students interested in pursuing careers in biomedical sciences and translational cancer research. The program is selective, with an acceptance rate of just 2%; each summer, it accepts 20 from an applicant pool of 1000+. If selected, you will get insights into the life and work of scientists during the program. Here, you will develop technical skills under a mentor in a Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) research lab and participate in lab meetings. Additionally, you will complete a self-directed research project, which supports your Principal Investigator’s research goal and focuses on areas like immunology, cancer biology, genomics, imaging, pharmacology, drug development, and more.
Cost: Free
Dates: June in the first year to May in the following year
Application deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Funded by the Groff Foundation, Columbia University’s Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (or BrainSTORM) is a two-part learning experience open to just 25 students each year. Here, you will get to attend monthly seminars from September of the current year to May next year. Additionally, you get access to a mentorship program starting in summer. Here, you will work on a research project with a mentor in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format, starting in June. The mentorship program will wrap up with a year-end research symposium and poster session, where you will present your research. The seminar component will offer you opportunities to attend monthly lectures delivered by experts on brain science, including topics such as dementia, genetics, neuro-critical care, and neuropsychological testing.
Cost: Free with a need-based stipend offered
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors, age 16+ at program start
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a team-based, mentored summer research experience. At SSRP, you will get access to premier biomedical research facilities and engage in hands-on lab work and scientific inquiry-based experience under the mentorship of a scientific researcher. You will also enroll in elective courses and attend guest lectures, networking events, and social activities during the program. This experience can help you familiarize yourself with research and laboratory techniques, including collecting and analyzing data. Each team is headed by science trainees at Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine. Through the program, you will gain insights into research and what it means to be a scientist.
Cost: Free with additional financial support offered to a limited number of applicants
Dates: June 26 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 15 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and residents of Western NY counties of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua, living within commuting distance to Roswell Park
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
The Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) program is a medical summer internship. Here, you will engage in classroom instructions, group discussions, seminars, hands-on dry and wet lab experiences, and project work. During the program, you will get hands-on research experience under the guidance of a mentor and explore the interdisciplinary integration of math, physics, and engineering with biology in cancer research. Under your mentor’s guidance, you will come up with an independent research project and present it at a research symposium, discussing the research rationale, goals, and findings. This experience can help you hone public speaking and scientific communication skills. The program curriculum also covers topics like the fundamentals of cancer sciences, the role of AI in research methods, basic statistics, and research ethics.
Cost: None | A stipend is offered.
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Location: Remote
New York University’s High School Bioethics Project Internships are meant for high school students interested in learning about the ethical considerations involved in the fields of healthcare, the environment, and public health. Here, you will attend sessions and engage in discussions with professionals in the field of biotech/pharmaceutical industries, bioethics, healthcare, patient advocacy, law, and more. You will also work on a short paper discussing a topic of interest that was covered during the program. Mentorship is also part of the experience. This program can help you get insights into the decisions healthcare professionals must take to uphold social justice and patient rights.
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies depending on the rotation | In summer, three-month internships are offered between June and September.
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11 and 12
Location: Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Maimonides Medical Center offers three-month internships to high schoolers who are considering a future in healthcare. During the program, you will work alongside healthcare providers and engage with patients and staff at the facility. You will also get to learn the fundamentals of clinical medicine and attend lectures on pathology, physiology, and patient care. You will assist the staff by helping patients feel comfortable and answering any questions they might have. You will spend your internship rotating through various areas of the emergency department (ED), including the adult and pediatric EDs. This experience is a chance to get insights into the day-to-day operations of a healthcare facility and the career paths you can pursue.
Cost: Free program
Dates: The program typically runs from July to August
Application deadline: TBA, but applications will open in February
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who have an 80% grade average
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free college preparatory program designed for students interested in medicine or STEM careers. It is offered by the Columbia University’s Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. During the program, you will get to attend classes covering various courses, including biochemistry, anatomy, Ready for PreMed, psychology, and more. Also part of the program is an SAT prep course. Additionally, the program offers you the chance to access college preparation and career development sessions, academic counseling services, and college tours. You can sign up for the mailing list to get updates regarding the applications.
Cost: $8,399 (three-credit program) and $10,239 (four-credit program) + $75 application fee | Need-based financial aid available.
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 to 18 years old | A strong background in Honors/AP Biology is preferable
Location: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY
The Veterinary Medicine: Science and Practice is a rigorous, condensed course in veterinary medicine offering you a chance to earn credits and an official Cornell transcript. The program can give you insights into animal anatomy, animal physiology, and the practice of veterinary medicine. You will also attend lab sessions and get some hands-on experience by identifying different bones, understanding their functions, and engaging in other activities. You will explore clinical specialties associated with the field of veterinary medicine to know the diverse career options available in this niche. The program curriculum is at par with introductory undergraduate course material, covering topics like musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and digestive systems, as well as diverse aspects of small animal practice, such as neutering and handling emergencies.
14. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s Brooklyn Scholar Athletes with Academic Goals Program
Cost: Free with a stipend
Dates: June 25 and June 26 (virtual evening sessions); June 30 – July 25 (in-person full-day sessions)
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students | Preference given to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Location: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
The Brooklyn Scholar Athlete with Academic Goals (BK-SWAG) program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University offers NYC student-athletes an opportunity to combine their love of sports with an interest in a career in health science and wellness. The program offers skill-building experiences in sports medicine and healthcare fields, along with clinical shadowing opportunities, basic first aid training, mental health awareness sessions, and a CPR certification! Here, you will also participate in workshops on health disparities and academic guidance to prep for college, go on field day learning trips, and engage in community service. You will be able to work on your time management skills, leadership abilities, and strong work ethic through this experience. The program will end with presentations of group research projects.
Cost: $700 (base program); $1,000 (base + community program option) | Early-bird discounts and need-based financial aid offered
Dates: June 21 – August 30
Application deadline: April 26
Eligibility: High school and college students
Location: Virtual + in-person at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S), New York, NY
The International Young Researchers’ Conference Medicine and Research Summer Program is a flexible learning opportunity, combining synchronous and asynchronous content for high school students interested in medical careers. Here, you will learn about medicine and healthcare from actual physicians and specialists in niche fields, including primary care, cardiology, dermatology, neurosurgery, and cancer. You will explore clinical correlates, participate in engaging activities such as creating a community project, attend research workshops, and work on asynchronous assignments. The program also offers lectures and workshops from Columbia University physicians, researchers, and medical students, as well as simulated patient interview sessions and peer feedback sessions. You will get to present your project and participate in the Harvard Alumni for Global Women's Empowerment essay contest. Additionally, you can choose to enroll for the Community Health Literacy Worker (CHLW) hybrid program—an optional component offered by the Neurology department at Columbia VP&S and NYP, consisting of in-person sessions at Columbia and a presentation at the college symposium.
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 research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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