15 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Colorado
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student in Colorado looking for an opportunity to explore the medical and healthcare fields beyond the classroom, a summer medical program can be a great way to get started. Summer medical programs designed for high school students can offer immersive learning experiences and early exposure to college-level academics and professional environments. The programs can also help you pick up practical skills and knowledge required to build a career in medicine or healthcare.
These programs typically combine instruction with hands-on activities like lab sessions, simulations, research, and job shadowing to give you insights into the medical profession. As a participant, you may get to observe the day-to-day workings of healthcare facilities and learn about the different career paths available in medicine and healthcare. The experience can also offer you networking opportunities and the chance to boost your college applications by highlighting the skills you pick up during the program.
To help you find the right opportunities, here are 15 summer medical programs for high school students in Colorado.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Summer I starts on June 16 | Summer II starts on July 14 | Sessions last 10 – 16 weeks, depending on the format selected
Application deadline: Summer I: May 18, Summer II: June 22
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (3.67 GPA or higher) | Most accepted students are 10th or 11th graders! Some tracks may come with prerequisites.
With an acceptance rate of 26%, HARP offers a select group of high schoolers a chance to conduct independent research. Here, you can choose between quantitative and qualitative research. You can choose a topic in medicine, computational neuroscience, healthcare, neurodegenerative diseases, protein biophysics, psychology, or related fields, and come up with a college-level academic paper under the guidance of a mentor.
You can apply to the Horizon Seminars program, which offers 20 sessions with an instructor and runs for about 10 to 12 weeks in the summer. Here, you will work with a group of peers and get access to four sessions with a writing coach. You could also choose the Horizon Labs program, in which you will work on specialized topics and get 1-on-1 sessions with mentors from leading universities, along with sessions with a publication specialist and a writing coach. This program runs for 16 weeks. By the end of whichever session you choose, you will have a 20-page research paper that may be worthy of submission to academic journals. You will also get a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your project.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Summer session starts in June or July and can run from 12 weeks to 1 year, depending on the format you choose
Application deadline: June 23 for the upcoming summer cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers research opportunities in various subjects, allowing you to choose a topic and explore it through research. You will work 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor and get to conduct independent research on topics in medicine, health science, neuroscience, etc. You will also get support from sessions with a writing coach during the program. The program will also offer insights into the scientific research process through workshops. By the end of the program, you will have an independent research paper that you may be able to submit to academic journals for publication! You can learn about the available formats and subject areas here.
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Program dates: Multiple sessions between June 9 and July 11; exact dates depend on your grade level
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 to 12 | First-generation college students, students with financial need in designated Title 1 Aurora Public Schools and Denver Public Schools may be prioritized
Cost: None
Colorado University’s summer medical programs are meant for students interested in STEAM, research, and healthcare careers. Through different hands-on activities and events, the program can help prepare you for a professional health career program or graduate education. The program is split into two components—a once-a-month Saturday Academy component that takes place throughout the academic year and a summer intensive. The summer intensive session has an engaging STEAM curriculum that is tailored to the high school academic levels. For example, the Senior Cohort curriculum will prepare you for your transition from high school to post-secondary education, focusing on career exploration, financial planning, health equity research, and more. You will also have access to credit-bearing courses, hands-on activities, and other experiential learning activities, and gain certifications to highlight your progress!
Location: Various locations in Colorado, including Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora), North Campus (Broomfield), South Campus (Highlands Ranch), and Colorado Springs
Program dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Typically at the beginning of the year; exact dates not specified
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores attending a school across the Denver metro and Colorado Springs areas, CO
Cost: None. Minimum wage stipends are offered for the internship hours.
Children’s Hospital Colorado offers various winter and summer medical programs to high school students in Colorado. It typically receives over 350 applications for around 60 spots. The program will run through your junior and senior years and offer you a comprehensive exposure to the medical and healthcare industry. You will engage in various activities such as field trips, internships, workshops, training, mentoring opportunities, seminars, professional support, and more to learn about the field of medicine. The program offers an internship component as well, involving around 100 to 120 hours of paid work in various hospital departments. As an intern, you will collaborate with the staff to gain hands-on experience in an immersive environment. You will also work alongside a mentor, who will be a healthcare professional such as a paramedic, CNA, or nurse.
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Program dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 to 12
Cost: $650 | Full scholarships awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
The University of Colorado offers a Science Discovery Program to introduce K-12 students to STEM research and disciplines. Its Medical Student Experience is an introduction to the science and practice of medicine. In this program, you will spend your week engaged in various healthcare-based activities and projects. You will be introduced to medicine and healthcare through activities such as simulation-based learning, visits to anatomy labs, and sessions covering suturing and administering injections. You will also practice physical exams, engage in clinical research, and give presentations during the program. You will also find opportunities to interact with medical trainees and professionals.
Location: Northwest Denver Campus, and Interprofessional Health Campus, Thornton, CO
Program dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school and college students
Cost: $250, which includes lunch, materials, equipment, and recreational activities | Scholarships are available
Regis University’s Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions offers up to 50 high schoolers interested in health-related careers an educational camp each year. Here, you will attend sessions and workshops led by experts and engage in hands-on activities to explore various fields in the healthcare industry. You will get to learn about fields like nursing, pharmacy, health and exercise science, occupational therapy, counselling, family and play therapy, physical therapy, and more. You will also get to interact with university faculty and healthcare professionals to learn what it takes to pursue a career in medicine. Recreational activities and networking events are also part of the experience.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old by June 18
Cost: $25 application fee, which can be waived based on financial need
ASSIP offers high school students in-person and virtual research internship opportunities. You can choose a mentor and a health-related research area offering remote internships. During the program, you will get to contribute to real research and work alongside faculty members. You will also find opportunities to develop communication and scientific writing skills and attend discussion forums and meetings. This experience can help you get first-hand exposure to medical research settings. You may also get to present your work at scientific conferences.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14 who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents, preferably with math/computer programming skills or experience working with healthcare projects
Cost: $40 application fee + $850 participation fee | Fee waivers are available
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual opportunity to explore the intersection of medicine and AI. Here, you will learn about the applications of AI in medicine. You will study the basics of healthcare and AI by attending sessions led by Stanford students and researchers. The program also covers the clinical and technical aspects of the use of AI to solve healthcare problems. The internship will also involve work on a group project.
During the program, you will also attend virtual career sessions led by guest speakers from various fields. You can continue working on your research project after the program ends.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Five weeks in the summer; dates not specified
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current junior and senior high school students in North America
Cost: None
The JHIBS is designed for high school students interested in exploring the field of neuroscience research. During the program, you will be engaged in various research-based activities, including educational presentations that cover topics in biomedical research. You will also get to undergo professional development and mentorship training. The program also offers lessons on basic laboratory techniques and experiments to help you prepare for a career in medical research. At the end of this five-week experience, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, and University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO
Program dates: 1 week in the summer; exact date TBA
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 who are at least 15 years old
Cost: None
The Health Occupations Promoting Equity (HOPE) Institute is a statewide week-long program for Colorado high school students interested in exploring career options in the healthcare and medicine fields. From April to September, the program organizes monthly Zoom sessions covering a range of healthcare topics and career paths. The monthly topics cover subjects such as dental careers, addiction medicine careers, foodborne illnesses, public health, mental health, and more. In the summer, you will spend a week engaging in workshops, lab sessions, presentations, and tours to explore medical careers. You will also get a cadaver lab experience, engage in case studies and simulations, and practice tourniquet techniques to pick up key skills required to build a career in medicine and healthcare.
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Program dates: June 9 – 20
Application deadline: May 30
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11 and 12
Cost: $1,200. Full scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis
A part of the University of Colorado’s Science Discovery Program, the Biomedical Research Bootcamp is a two-week opportunity to build lab skills. Here, you will get an introduction to coursework, internships, and research opportunities in biomedical fields. You will also study biomedical laboratory techniques and the ethics involved in biomedical research. The program will also offer visits to research facilities with advanced equipment. You will also get to interact with scientists, learn about research careers, and work on your individual scientific research proposal during the program.
Location: Local Walgreens stores in CO
Program dates: Varies based on the location
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: None
The second-largest drugstore chain in the country, Walgreens, offers high schoolers opportunities to shadow a pharmacy technician and gain firsthand insights into the day-to-day workings of a pharmacy. Here, you will observe a Walgreens pharmacy technician and learn about the latest retail pharmacy technologies. You will also get to learn about the pharmacy technician training program. The exact nature of your job and assigned tasks will depend on the store you choose. This can be a learning opportunity for anyone interested in exploring a career in pharmacology, medicine, and other related fields.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: July 28 – August 8
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduate pre-med students who are 16 or older
Cost: $4,380 + $95 application fee
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship offers virtual hands-on learning experiences to high school students who are interested in exploring medicine and healthcare professions. During the internship, you will attend virtual lectures and expert-led interactive sessions to learn about techniques like suturing, administering injections, and conducting physical exams. You will also get to work on medical case studies, make diagnoses, and suggest treatment. At the end of the program, you will participate in a group presentation to discuss your case. This experience can help you learn about medical specialties and pick up the technical skills required to pursue a career in medicine.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: 2 weeks, typically in the second half of July
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who can commit to 4 hours/day for 2 weeks (weekdays only)
Cost: None | A $500 taxable stipend is offered
SHE in Oncology is a virtual program for high school students interested in careers in science and medicine, especially within the field of cancer. During the program, you will engage in collaborative genetics-based research and work on a real-world patient case study based on cancer science. As a participant, you will get a hands-on oncology-based research experience along with a home laboratory kit. You will also attend panel discussions, skill-building workshops, and informative lectures to learn what it takes to build a career in biomedicine. The program also offers networking opportunities.
Location: Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO
Program dates: June 1 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school seniors over 18 years old living in Colorado
Cost: None | A $4,400 stipend is offered
As a part of their summer medical programs for high school students in Colorado, the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine offers high school students summer research opportunities in the field of child health. Here, you will work closely with faculty mentors and gain first-hand experience in pediatric medical research. You will engage in ongoing projects and attend weekly lectures to build upon your understanding of the scientific process and healthcare topics related to children. You will submit a detailed written report of your work and present your findings through a poster, PowerPoint, or oral presentation. The experience can help you get medical research experience and sharpen your communication and presentation skills.
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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