15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Virginia

If you’re a high school student in Virginia considering a future in medicine, a summer program in the state could be a great first step for you to take. Medical summer programs offer hands-on learning, access to professional mentorship, and let you experience college-level academics without the pressure of grades or long-term commitments. Many are low-cost or even fully funded, making them an accessible way to explore the field. And because they take place in the summer, they let you dive into your interests without interfering with school-year responsibilities.

These programs can expose you to a range of areas in medicine,  from clinical skills and anatomy labs to biomedical research and hospital settings. You’ll build practical skills, get a feel for college life, explore various medical careers, and receive mentorship. 

To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down the top medical summer programs for high school students in Virginia. We’ve prioritized rigorous programs that offer networking opportunities, are fully or partially funded, have competitive admissions, and are hosted by respected institutions like universities, hospitals, and medical colleges.

15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Virginia

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid is available!

Program dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic opportunity that allows high school students to engage in individual research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Over the span of 12 weeks, you’ll work closely with your assigned mentor to explore a topic of your choice and develop a fully independent research paper. This online summer enrichment program for high school students supports a wide variety of disciplines, including areas like psychology, international relations, economics, chemistry, engineering, physics, and computer science. This structure allows you to dive deep into a subject that aligns with your academic interests while gaining valuable experience in scholarly research and critical thinking. You can find more details about the application here.

2. AI + Medicine Deep Dive – Veritas AI

Acceptance rate/cohort size:  Selective

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type

Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year

Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program

This online program is designed for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Over 10 sessions, participants learn from PhD-level mentors in medical AI and apply their skills to real-world use cases such as disease diagnosis, image segmentation, and genomics. You’ll explore how AI can sharpen medical scans, predict patient outcomes, and accelerate drug discovery. You’ll use tools like TensorFlow and Keras, build models using convolutional neural networks, and understand the ethics behind AI in medicine. Classes are highly interactive, combining theory, coding walkthroughs, and project-based learning. You will work in small groups (5:1 ratio) and complete a capstone project that applies AI tools to solve healthcare challenges.

3. Health Sciences Academy Summer Experience – Old Dominion University

Stipend: None

Dates: July 14 - July 25

Application Deadline: Overseen by the partnering school. 

Cost: Free

Location: Norfolk, VA (Old Dominion University)

Eligibility: Rising 10th-grade students enrolled in partner school districts

This two-week program introduces rising 10th-grade students to hands-on experiences across clinical and emergency care domains. You’ll practice suturing techniques, casting, and splinting in a simulation center designed for medical training. Sessions also include CPR certification, ultrasound imaging basics, and working with standardized patients to simulate real-world diagnostic and communication scenarios. The program emphasizes procedural fluency, patient interaction etiquette, and applied anatomy through structured modules. You will also gain early exposure to career pathways across allied health professions and medicine. This program will suit students seeking foundational clinical skills and an understanding of healthcare systems in a structured academic setting.

4. Dental Careers Exploration Program – Virginia Commonwealth University

Acceptance rate/cohort size:  No information publicly available

Location: VCU School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA

Cost: Free; lunch and program materials provided

Dates: July 14–18

Application Deadline: May 2 

Eligibility: Open to Richmond-area students entering grades 10–12 (must have completed 9th grade); 3.0 GPA or higher; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only

Offered by the VCU School of Dentistry, this five-day summer program allows Richmond-area high school students to explore careers in dentistry through interactive lab sessions and workshops. You will learn about the education paths and responsibilities of dental hygienists, general dentists, and specialists. Hands-on activities include tooth carving, dental impressions, suturing, and digital dentistry. You’ll also attend an orientation and a closing event, gaining a well-rounded understanding of dentistry as a healthcare profession. The program is free to attend and includes lunch, making it an accessible opportunity for motivated students. All materials are provided, though transportation is not included.

5. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) – George Mason University

Stipend: None

Dates: June 18 – August 8

Application Deadline: Applications usually close in January–February year on year

Cost: Free 

Location: Fairfax, VA

Eligibility: High school students ages 15+ (16+ for wet lab roles); must not be enrolled in university

ASSIP places high school students in full-time, 8-week research internships with Mason faculty and partners across STEM fields, including biomedical science, neuroscience, tissue repair, and infectious disease. You will work with advanced tools and lab equipment, contribute to practical research projects, and present your findings at a formal poster session. Many interns pursue wet lab placements involving molecular diagnostics, epidemiological modeling, or regenerative medicine. The experience also includes workshops in science communication, discussions with STEM professionals, and exposure to publishing and patenting processes. You may get a chance to have your name included in scientific papers or conference presentations.

6. VCU Acceleration (VCUA) – Virginia Commonwealth University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information publicly available.

Location: VCU Monroe Park and VCU Health Campus, Richmond, VA

Cost: Free summer housing and stipend provided; participants must arrange their own transportation and parking

Dates: Early July – Early August (exact dates to be announced)

Application Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: 12th-grade students accepted to VCU as incoming freshmen; GPA of 3.25 or higher required

VCUA is a pre-health pipeline program that combines a four-week summer session with a year-long residential experience for students entering VCU as freshmen. During the summer, you will take non-credit math and science courses taught by VCU faculty and attend workshops, hospital tours, and advising sessions focused on medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, and other health professions. The program offers free summer housing and a modest stipend. The academic year component includes living in a program-in-residence dorm, taking classes together, engaging in community service, and receiving pre-health advising. Students must commit to both summer and academic-year components to participate. This program is ideal for students seeking a strong academic and professional foundation in the health sciences.

7. Pharmacy Summer Scholars – Virginia Commonwealth University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Thirty students selected per batch

Location: VCU School of Pharmacy (Robert Blackwell Smith Building), Richmond, VA

Cost: Free; lunch provided; participants must arrange their own transportation

Dates: July 7–11

Application Deadline: Applications usually close in March–April year on year

Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 interested in pharmacy careers

Offered by the VCU School of Pharmacy, this one-week summer program introduces high school students to the field of pharmacy through hands-on lab activities, mentorship, and site visits. You will learn the basics of non-sterile compounding, explore different pharmacy settings, and engage with pharmacy school students to understand various career pathways. The program includes tours of pharmacy facilities and practical experiences that simulate what pharmacists do in clinical and retail environments. Applicants are selected based on their demonstrated interest in healthcare, with a preference for those considering pharmacy. Lunch is provided each day, and participants are expected to attend the full program.

8. Summer Enrichment Experience – Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM–Virginia Campus)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information publicly available.

Location: VCOM–Virginia Campus, Blacksburg, VA

Cost: Free; includes housing, meals, and all activities

Dates: June 22–28 | July 6–12

Application Deadline: Applications usually open in January year on each year

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students from Virginia; minimum 3.5 GPA required

Hosted in Blacksburg, the Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) at VCOM, Virginia, offers high-achieving high school students a week-long immersion into medicine and science. The camp includes clinical workshops like suturing and knot-tying, hands-on simulations that replicate real-life healthcare situations, and anatomy lab experiences guided by medical students and faculty. You will conduct biomedical experiments, explore epidemiology, and present small-group research projects to VCOM faculty and parents. You will also gain exposure to professional healthcare environments through VCOM’s simulation center and cadaver lab. There is no cost for the program, which includes all meals, housing, and activities. 

9. Health Sciences Academy Summer Experience – Old Dominion University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information publicly available.

Location: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

Cost: Free

Dates: July 14-25

Application Deadline: Application deadlines to be published soon

Eligibility: Rising 10th-grade students from Portsmouth, Chesapeake, or Northampton County public schools (must apply through the school district)

Hosted by the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, this two-week summer workshop introduces rising 10th graders to careers in healthcare through immersive, hands-on activities. You will learn suturing techniques, practice CPR and AED usage, and train in ODU’s medical simulation center. You will perform basic surgical tasks, cast broken limbs, and even use real ultrasound machines to scan instructors. The program includes working with standardized patients, where trained actors simulate medical conditions to practice bedside manner and clinical skills. This early exposure helps students build both confidence and foundational experience in healthcare environments. The program is designed to support long-term exploration, with future opportunities for community engagement, research, and job shadowing. Applications are only accepted through participating school districts, not open to the general public.

10. Improve Life PLLC – Pre‑Health Profession Intern Program

Stipend: None

Dates: June 13 onwards (4–8 week duration)

Application Deadline: May 16

Cost: Free

Location: Herndon, VA (Hybrid: in-person and virtual)

Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic interest in healthcare or science

This clinical internship introduces high school students to core concepts in psychiatry, patient-centered care, and real-world health communication. You’ll attend weekly interactive sessions led by Dr. Stephanie Waggel, covering topics like medical ethics, treatment planning, and clinical documentation. You may also observe live telehealth sessions, learn how to take vitals, and explore the logic behind diagnostic decisions. The hybrid format offers both flexibility and direct exposure to a working medical practice. Students are expected to maintain detailed logs and may participate in case-based discussions. Strong performers receive a letter of recommendation highlighting their work and contributions.

11. Inova Lung Services – Summer Student Research Internship

Stipend: None

Dates: 6-week minimum, June–August (exact dates flexible)

Application Deadline: November 1 – December 31

Cost: Free

Location: Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, VA

Eligibility: High school seniors through medical students (minimum age 16)

This research internship immerses students in pulmonary and transplant medicine through mentored projects on advanced lung disease. You’ll contribute to ongoing clinical studies, attend research and clinical conferences, and may observe procedures or patient consults. You’ll work with Inova’s physician-researchers and present your findings via a final research presentation. With a 15–20 hour weekly commitment over six weeks, this program offers a structured entry point into hospital-based research. The program is voluntary and designed for students exploring a future in pulmonary medicine or clinical research.

12. CHiSEL Program – VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. No information is publicly available.

Location: VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA

Cost: Free

Dates: June 23 – July 25

Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 are closed (reopens early spring each year)

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from the Greater Richmond Area; must submit a resume and a letter of recommendation.

The Community High School Engagement & Learning (CHiSEL) Program offers rising juniors and seniors from the Richmond area a five-week mentored research experience in cancer science. You will be paired with a Massey Cancer Center investigator and spend at least 25 hours a week gaining hands-on lab experience at the VCU Medical Center campus. The program includes cancer seminars, professional networking, and a culminating poster presentation at Massey’s Summer Research Symposium. In addition to lab skills, you will also explore the social and community aspects of cancer care and research. This immersive experience helps you build both technical and academic skills while exploring careers in cancer research.

13. Summer Teen Volunteer Program – UVA Health Prince William Medical Center

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 48 students accepted, plus 12 on the waitlist

Location: UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, VA

Cost: Free; lunch is provided on the first and last day

Dates: Session 1: June 16–27 | Session 2: July 7–18 | Session 3: July 21–August 1(Morning or afternoon shifts available)

Application Deadline: April 11

Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th grade; minimum GPA of B; immunization record and parental consent required

This two-week in-person volunteer program introduces high school students to hospital operations and patient care support roles. You will rotate through departments like emergency, surgical services, guest services, and physical therapy to observe and assist with non-clinical responsibilities. Each session includes orientation and training on confidentiality, infection prevention, safety, and patient care etiquette. As participants, you are required to attend a group interview and orientation session and must complete the full program to receive a certificate. The program emphasizes early understanding of healthcare careers while providing service experience in a professional medical environment.

14. Medical Science Internship Program (MSIP) – Virginia Commonwealth University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information publicly available.

Location: VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA

Cost: Free; no stipend provided

Dates: June 23 – July 31

Application Deadline: March 3

Eligibility: High school students residing in the Greater Richmond Area

Hosted by the VCU School of Medicine, this six-week summer internship places high school students in biomedical research labs under the mentorship of VCU faculty. You will work on a defined research project, attend weekly seminars from guest lecturers, and prepare a final poster and presentation to showcase your findings. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, scientific communication, and exposure to real research environments. You will also gain insight into pathways for pursuing careers in medicine and academic research. The program is open to students who reside in the Greater Richmond Area.

15. Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) – Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM–Virginia)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort (15 students per week)

Location: VCOM–Virginia Campus, Blacksburg, VA

Cost: Free; includes housing, meals, and all activities

Dates: June 22–28 | July 6–12

Application Deadline: Not specified; applications typically open in March

Eligibility: Virginia high school students entering 11th or 12th grade; minimum 3.5 GPA required

Held at VCOM’s Virginia campus in Blacksburg, this free, week-long camp introduces high school students to medical science through cadaver labs, simulations, and clinical workshops. You will engage in daily lab-based activities like suturing, knot-tying, and microscope-based experiments, all under the guidance of medical faculty and current osteopathic students. Each week includes a research project that you will present to faculty and parents at a final showcase. The program emphasizes the osteopathic model of holistic care and offers exposure to medical school training. 

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. 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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