8 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Texas
- Trisha Malhotra
- Jun 28, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: May 14
If you’re a high school student in Texas interested in pursuing a career in medicine, consider participating in a summer medical program! Becoming a medical practitioner requires comprehensive knowledge and strong interpersonal skills, best developed through hands-on experience. Participating in medical programs can make your college applications stand out by demonstrating your dedication to the field. These programs will also help you explore potential career paths, network with medical professionals, and enrich your academic perspective.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 8 medical programs for high school students in Texas! These opportunities cover various topics, such as neuroscience, health tech, epidemiology, psychology, scientific writing, genetics, and more.
Quick Tips: Texas offers strong summer medical programs for high schoolers, including Texas Tech's SEP (free, residential), UT Austin's HSRA ($3,500, biomedical research), Houston Methodist's Summer Internship (free, 10 weeks at Texas Medical Center), MD Anderson's King Foundation Program (stipended, for Texas seniors), the BEAT Academy at UT Health San Antonio ($750), and Baylor's Saturday Morning Science. The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers remote 1-on-1 PhD-mentored research from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
Location: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May.
Program Dates: June 24–June 29
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are interested in medicine can apply.
SEP is for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in medicine and medical research. This residential program includes a range of activities that will allow you to experience healthcare work. You’ll learn how to perform basic medical procedures, such as suturing and administering injections, and practice your skills in a simulated clinical environment. You’ll work in teams to diagnose and treat simulated patients. SEP also includes sessions on career exploration and professional development. You’ll learn about different medical specialties and hear from healthcare professionals about their career paths. The program includes workshops on topics such as medical ethics, communication, and healthcare policy.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $3,500 per student. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: June 10 — July 17
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the academic year and 15 years or older by the program start date.
The summer High School Research Academy (HSRA) offers a great opportunity for students interested in medical research. You will gain practical research skills and deepen your understanding of biomedical sciences. During the program, you’ll participate in research projects in active College of Natural Sciences (CNS) laboratories related to biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, and more. You will learn cutting-edge research techniques while gaining insights through interaction with UT students and faculty in CNS undergraduate research groups.
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital campus in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost: No cost or stipend. Scholarships are available to cover room and board.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: 10 weeks, May 28 — August 2
Eligibility: High school students completing their junior or senior year and at least 16 years of age by the start of the program.
This selective internship provides hands-on training in a translational research lab. This internship is particularly beneficial for high school students interested in medicine, providing early exposure to medical research and enhancing their college applications. Each intern collaborates with a mentor based on their skills. With guidance from Houston Methodist’s faculty, you will present your project at a scientific poster symposium. The program also includes a career and professional development curriculum covering scientific writing and essential tools for college applications.
Location: UT Health Lozano Long Campus, San Antonio, TX
Cost: The total cost of attendance is $750. Registration fees include all course materials.
Application Deadline: June 16
Program Dates: July 8–July 12
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply.
The BEAT (Biomedical Excellence and Academic Training) Academy is a great opportunity for high school students interested in medical research. The medical and biomedical faculty offer the curriculum through seminars and activities. Subjects covered include ongoing biomedical research at the UT Health Science Center, such as anatomy, physiology, medicine, molecular biology, aging, neurodegeneration, and other contemporary topics. You'll visit the human anatomy lab, interact with real and simulated patients, get a glimpse of the latest advances in biomolecular technology, do biomolecular experiments, and more! You’ll also attend a college prep session. The program is limited to 20 students.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $6,800 for the 10-week program ($6,120 for the 9-week program).
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program Dates: June 3 — August 9
Eligibility: High school seniors who are Texas residents and at least 18 years old by the program's start.
Hosted by the University of Texas and the MD Anderson Cancer Center, this program is a prestigious opportunity for students interested in medical research. This program allows you to participate in a research project in a biomedical discipline under the guidance of a full-time MD Anderson faculty member. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental principles of scientific investigation. Seminars supplement the laboratory experience. The program admits up to 10 students each year and provides you with insight into the career of a biomedical researcher before college.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks, from June to August.
Eligibility: High school seniors who are 18 years or older, in good academic standing, or graduating are eligible to apply.
The DACCPM (Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine) Summer Research Program is a prestigious medical research opportunity. As a trainee, you will develop laboratory and clinical research skills, conduct medical literature reviews, learn data handling techniques, and more. You’ll work closely with researchers on an assigned project, which you will present at a poster symposium at the end of the program. The abstract of your research will be included in the annual CATALYST Summer Program abstract book. Additional academic and professional development opportunities are available, covering topics such as applying to graduate school and exploring various career paths in medicine.
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipends might be provided.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Program Dates: June 10 — August 5
Eligibility: All applicants must be 18 or older by the start of the program. Some projects may be available for 16 and 17-year-old students. Students must have previously participated in Saturday Morning Science or be part of affiliate programs with Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M, or other predominantly minority-serving institutions.
The SMS Summer Research Program is a medical research opportunity for high school students. This program provides research experience, mentorship from Baylor College of Medicine researchers, professional development, and an opportunity to showcase your work. During the program, you will work on a project for 40 hours per week over 8 weeks. Additionally, you will attend weekly ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions to gain insights into research and professional development. Participation in research meetings and special seminars specific to individual research groups is also required. At the end of the summer, you will present your research at the SMS Summer Research Symposium to other in-person summer interns.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there remote or virtual summer medical programs for high school students? Yes. The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers fully remote 1-on-1 research with PhD mentors and is open to students worldwide. Most Texas-based medical programs are in-person, since they involve lab or clinical work.
Can sophomores apply to summer medical programs in Texas? Most Texas summer medical programs require students to be rising juniors or seniors, and several require students to be 18 or older. UT Austin's High School Research Academy is the most age-flexible, accepting rising sophomores who are at least 15 years old. The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is also open to sophomores.
How competitive are summer medical programs at MD Anderson and Baylor? Highly competitive. The King Foundation Program admits approximately 10 students per year. Houston Methodist and Baylor SMS are similarly selective. Strong GPAs, rigorous science coursework, demonstrated research interest, and substantive recommendation letters are typical of admitted applicants.
Key Takeaways
Texas hosts 7 strong in-person summer medical programs for high schoolers across Lubbock, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, plus Lumiere as a fully remote alternative.
Costs range from free (most MD Anderson, Houston Methodist, Texas Tech, Baylor programs) to $3,500 (UT Austin HSRA), with stipends at the King Foundation Program.
Most programs require students to be rising juniors or seniors aged 16–18+; UT Austin's HSRA is the most accessible to younger students.
January and February deadlines (MD Anderson, Houston Methodist) come up much earlier than May–June deadlines (Texas Tech, BEAT) — plan accordingly.
Strong applications include transcripts, science-teacher recommendation letters, a specific (not generic) essay about your medical interests, and proof of eligibility.
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience as a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and is a devoted cat parent.
Image Source: Texas Tech University logo