15 Pre-Med Summer Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 23 hours ago
- 10 min read
For middle school students, opting for a pre-med summer program is a great way to develop your foundations in medicine and test your existing skills in the field. By engaging in immersive simulations and acquainting yourself with laboratory tools and other techniques, you will be more prepared for an intensive high school course or college major!
The best pre-med programs go beyond classroom teaching, they give you a taste of real-world situations at an early age. In the process, you also get the chance to interact with noted experts in the field and form new connections with other peers interested in medicine.
Here’s a list of 15 Pre-Med Summer programs that you can attend as a middle school student.
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 (Financial Aid Available)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Program Dates: Varies for different cohorts, with two Summer cohorts starting on June 2 & July 14.
Application Deadline: Varies for different cohorts, more details here.
The Junior Explorer Program by Lumiere is an 8-week virtual program which lets middle school students explore multiple fields of study, including medicine. In the first four weeks of the program, you will sharpen your foundations in the subjects in your exploration track. In weeks 5 and 6, you will narrow down and focus your study on a specific subject area. In the final two weeks, under the guidance of your PhD mentor from a top university, you will develop an individual project relating to your subject area and present it in the form of a business case study, policy brief or a literature review!
Choosing the Biology, Medicine and Public Health exploration track will acquaint you with multiple subjects, thereby creating a solid background in medicine. These include the structure of the human body, identification and prevention of diseases, genetics & gene-editing, and more!
Acceptance Rate: Highly Selective
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore OR Ursinus College, Pennsylvania
Cost: Varies according to locations and cohorts, more details here. (Financial Aid Available)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-8
Program Dates: Session 1: June 22 - July 11Session 2: July 13 - August 1
Application Deadline: May 16
The Anatomy and Physiology course at Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth is a competitive, in-person program for middle school students. Through classroom and laboratory sessions, you will explore the human body’s immune system, skeletal system, nervous system, respiratory system, and other systems with a specific focus on cells and tissues. You will also utilise your learnings to engage in dissections, while learning the techniques used to conduct the procedures.
Students must sign up for tests and obtain qualifying scores to be eligible for the course. Each class typically has between 18 and 20 students, ensuring attentiveness to individual needs and queries.
Acceptance Rate: Not selective
Location: American University, Washington, DC, or University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $2,895 (Residential) & $2,495 (Commuter) - Scholarships Available
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8, aged 11 years or above
Program Dates: Varies according to different locations and sessions, more details here.
Application Deadline: Admissions accepted until seats are full.
The National Student Leadership Conference is a 6-day, in-person summer program in Medicine for aspiring doctors, nurses, and veterinarians currently in middle school. Through hands-on activities, simulations, and workshops, you will widen your understanding of fundamental theories and practices in medicine. These include the study of dissections, vital signs in patients, suturing, and procedures in patient care!
While the program specifically focuses on medicine, it also involves a leadership curriculum applicable to all walks of life. You will also get the chance to visit historical landmarks and museums in your off-campus time during the program.
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: University of Berkeley, CA; University of California, San Diego, or Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
Cost: $2,898 (Residential) and $1,498 (Commuter), with $99 application fee and $250 Middle School Medicine course supplement.
Eligibility: Students aged between 11 and 13 who have completed 6th grade with a grade point average of 3.0 or equivalent.
Program Dates: Varies according to different sessions and locations, more details here.
Application Deadline: Admissions are accepted until seats are full.
The Middle School Medicine program, hosted at multiple locations by Summer Springboard, is a one-week program in medicine for middle school students. Through 3-hour classroom sessions from Monday to Friday, you’ll develop medical skills and knowledge through hands-on activities, simulations, and guided lessons.
As part of the course, you will learn more about performing CPR, developing a treatment plan, reviewing a patient’s medical history, and more! After the classroom sessions, you will attend excursions and guest speeches, learning from reputed specialists in the field of medicine.
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Multiple locations across the United States. Virtual option also available.
Cost: Varies according to different locations and sessions, more details here. (Financial Aid Available)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Program Dates: Varies according to different locations and sessions.
Application Deadline: Admissions accepted until seats are full.
The “Pre-Med Readiness” program hosted by Medical Physician Preparation (MPP) Academy is a summer program for middle school students. Spanning 1 or 2 weeks, depending on the selected option, the course can be attended in person or virtually. Through site visits, practical activities, and academic training, you will develop your understanding of anatomy & physiology, general biology and general topics like the healthcare system in the US.
Other key components of the program include career exploration & planning, academic skills development, college affordability planning, navigating college admissions, and more! You will also be trained and certified in administering First Aid and performing CPR.
Acceptance Rate: Highly Selective
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12
Program Dates: July 7 - August 1
Application Deadline: April 15
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a preparatory STEM program for middle school students, with a particular focus on medicine. Conducted by Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the program involves 4-hour classes from Monday to Friday throughout the period. You will level up your understanding of medicine and other related STEM fields by studying subjects like anatomy, psychology, chemistry, and more!
The program’s selection process caters to the needs of the historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities to increase their representation in STEM fields. By completing the program, you will also become eligible to apply for research programs like the BRAINYAC program and the YES in THE HEIGHTS program in your high school years.
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Program Dates: Multiple 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week sessions between June and August.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
The Anatomy & Physiology course offered by Georgetown University is a pre-college online program for middle school and high school students. Through 20-30 hours of coursework, you will explore the foundations of anatomy through the study of musculoskeletal systems, nervous systems, renal systems, and other vital subject areas.
The program will shape your understanding of the subjects through simulations, audio-visual education, and curated assignments. You will also work on your Final Capstone project, wherein you will utilise your learnings to create an informational pamphlet for diabetic patients. Upon completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion from the University.
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: University of California, San Diego
Cost: $275
Program Dates: July 14 - July 18
Application Deadline: May 31
A Dose of Pharma Creations by Sally Ride Science Academy is a week-long summer program held at the University of California. Through a combination of traditional classroom teaching and practical training, you will be introduced to key concepts in pharmacy. The activities will expose you to specific scenarios dealt by pharmacists, while also guiding you towards the right solutions.
You will also have the opportunity to meet and learn from experts in the fields of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy. By the end of the program, you will have developed basic skills in pharmacy like describing specific medical conditions, demonstrating how to use an inhaler or an EpiPen, customising medications, and more!
Location: University of California, Irvine
Cost: $2,195 (Scholarship Available)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12
Program Dates: July 14 - July 25
Application Deadline: March 3
The UC Irvine Brain Camp is a two-week, in-person program for middle and high school students interested in neuroscience. The daily sessions, held between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, include seminars, lectures, workshops, dissections, and laboratory tours. You will learn more about brain and spinal cord anatomy, learning and memory, brain-machine interface, neuropathology, and more!
During the program, you will also learn more about procedures like brain imaging, electrophysiology, and animal models with the help of the latest tools and technologies. The program will also help you connect with neuroscience professors, undergraduate students, PhD students, and peers interested in neuroscience!
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
The Biology course at Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program introduces middle school and high school students to fundamental concepts in biology through video lessons and hands-on projects. The virtual course allows you to take lessons and activities at your own pace, which typically requires between 20 and 30 hours.
Through this introductory program, you will study cellular and multicellular frameworks, cell structures, and find biomolecular condensates in medicine. To put your learnings to use, you will also be submitting a Final Capstone project. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion from the university.
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
The Regenerative Medicine course at Dartmouth University is an introductory online course for middle school and high school students. In courses that typically span 1, 2, or 4 weeks, you will level up your knowledge about regenerative medicine through vital concepts in tissue engineering, organ regeneration, and stem cell technology.
The program also involves studying advancements in regenerative medicine through procedures related to biotechnology, precision medicine, and space-oriented solutions. You will also be able to contextualise your learnings by exploring the impact and potential of regenerative medicine in changing society for the better.
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
The pre-college program in Medicine at Rice University is an online program that introduces students aged 13 and above to the world of medicine, both as an art and as a scientific discipline. Through video lessons and expert mentorship, you will explore patient care procedures, ranging from initial examination and evaluation of symptoms to diagnosis and final treatment.
The program will also develop your practical skills through a focused study of disorders affecting the heart, lungs, endocrine system, and other systems. Your Final Capstone project will involve working on a patient’s case study to identify the conditions causing their symptoms and to apply methods to communicate the symptoms to the patient.
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
The Foundations of Medicine program at Rice University caters to middle school and high school students, with a focus on physiology. The coursework involves the study of fundamental concepts in physiology, including flow & resistance, electrical concepts, and active & passive transport. You will also learn more about the functioning of the nervous system, the muscular system, and the cardiovascular system over 20 to 30 hours of virtual instruction.
By the end of the course, you will have learned practical skills like being able to identify muscle contraction types, the link between electrical conduction and heart functions, and the like! Through your final project, you will showcase your learning by creating models to explain the physiological properties of the human body’s various organs and systems.
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
Through multi-length course options, this introductory online course at Wake Forest University caters to students aged 13 and above who are interested in medicine. Foundational topics covered in the program include the anatomy of the heart, managing patient care, and the workings of a treatment team.
Through video lessons, simulations, and assignments, you will also view problems in medicine from the perspective of ER physicians, paramedics, and other medical professionals. You will also have the opportunity to use your learnings and present your final project through text, video, photography, or PowerPoint.
Acceptance Rate: Not Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available between July and August, details here.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
The Biology Course at Dartmouth University is an online program that introduces middle school and high school students to the fundamentals of systems biology, while also reining in recent advancements. Through video lessons by expert instructors, you will develop your understanding of genes, proteins, and cellular interactions.
Importantly, you will also explore the technological advances in biology by studying genomics, proteomics, and other OMICS technologies. For your final project, you will use your course learnings and systems biology to rethink real-world problems of drug discovery, ageing, and more!
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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