15 Summer Medical Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 5 days ago
- 11 min read
If you are a middle school student looking for a way to learn about healthcare, medicine, nursing, dentistry, health sciences, or other related areas, a medical program can be a great way to spend your summer!
Summer medical programs designed for middle school students provide real-world experiences beyond the school curriculum through simulations and project-based learning activities. Here, you will attend sessions or lectures conducted by university faculty or medical professionals and learn about pre-med school coursework and potential careers in medicine and healthcare.
You will also learn about the day-to-day work of medical professionals and the tools, skills, and resources required to pursue a career in fields like healthcare, neuroscience, physiology, paediatrics, veterinary science, pharmacy, and more.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 summer medical programs for middle school students.
Location: Fully remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1-on-1 format
Dates: Summer Cohort I: Starts on June 2 | Summer Cohort II: Starts on July 14; sessions last eight weeks, requiring a commitment of at least five hours/week
Application deadline: Summer applications are typically due in May/June
Eligibility: Middle school students
JEP is a virtual program that allows middle school students to collaborate one-on-one with a mentor, explore their academic interests, and come up with a project in a field of choice, including medicine, cancer genetics, psychology, diseases, and public health. This Lumiere program was founded by Harvard and Oxford graduates. In the eight-week program, you will work under the mentorship of scholars from top research universities such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. You can select a medical field, choose a topic for your project, and start your research. In the process, you will get to refine your reading, writing, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills to be better prepared for high school and future academics. You can check out the JEP brochure and apply here.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small class sizes
Dates: 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays)
Application deadline: May/June; multiple deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Veritas AI's Trailblazers program is a virtual program that allows middle school students to explore the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning and work on an interdisciplinary project. In the initial weeks, you will explore topics like regression, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and convolutional neural networks. Subsequent weeks will involve project work and exploration of niche topics. You can indicate your preference for working on the intersection of medicine and AI. For instance, your project could focus on the utilization of convolutional neural networks to classify medical images. Throughout the program, you will attend online academic lectures and group sessions offering a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. To learn more, check out the program brochure here.
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: Summer: July 28 – August 8; Academic Year weekly sessions: November 9 – May 17
Application deadline: April 15 (summer) and September 15 (academic year)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12 from economically disadvantaged, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native, or American Indian background; applicants must be New York residents and able to maintain an 80% grade average, especially in math and science
Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program, conducted at the Irving Medical Center on campus, is designed for underrepresented students who want to pursue careers in medicine and STEM. The program includes a summer session and classes on Saturdays through the academic year. During the program, you will learn through courses on anatomy, brain and cognitive science, biochemistry, and pre-med prep. You will also have access to college tours, college prep sessions, PSAT prep, counseling services, and field trips to be better equipped for future academics. Your participation here will make you eligible to apply to other medical programs, such as BRAINYAC and YES in THE HEIGHTS, in high school.
Location: Virtual + optional on-site workshop at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Middle school students and high school students, ages 14 – 18; international students can also apply
The Virtual Regenerative Medicine Academy offers middle and high schoolers a hands-on, faculty-mentored exploration experience. Here, you will engage with faculty, industry professionals, and near-peer mentors/scientists to learn about regenerative medicine research and topics like 3D bioprinting and regenerative medicine in space and microgravity. You will attend online sessions on Zoom from Monday to Thursday, and engage in an optional on-site half-day campus tour on Friday that includes workshops and demos. Laboratory tours are also part of the experience. The program can help you explore the field of regenerative medicine as a potential career path.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080 + $65 application fee; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; average class size is 16
Dates: June 16 – 27 (Session 1) | July 7 – 18 (Session 2)
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 11
Topics in Bioscience, a part of Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, offers an introduction to fields like biology, anatomy, and physiology. Here, you will attend virtual classes to learn about clinical, epidemiological, and computational methods used for research, as well as the science and management of viral diseases. You will also engage in asynchronous assignments, small group learning activities, and a group project to build foundational knowledge in biological sciences. The experience can help you prepare for a career in medicine, epidemiology, pharmaceuticals, and other related fields.
Location: MPP Academy at multiple locations across the U.S.; virtual options also available
Cost: Residential: $1,620 (Week 1) or $3,510 (Week 2) | Commuter: $1,148 (Week 1) or $2,296 (Week 2) | Virtual: $450 (Week 1) or $900 (Week 2)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August; exact dates vary based on the location
Application deadline: Two weeks before the start of each term
Eligibility: High-achieving students entering grades 6, 7, and 8 in the upcoming fall semester; rising 6th and 9th graders also eligible
The MPP (Medical Physician Preparation) Academy offers middle school students exposure to diverse fields and topics in medicine. As an MPP participant, you will get an introduction to anatomy, physiology, general biology, nutrition, and immunology through in-person or online classes. Additionally, you will attend workshops on college-level academics prep, career planning, and professional competencies. The program also covers the healthcare system in the U.S. and the core skills essential for medical school. You will participate in training sessions on first aid and CPR, simulation activities, and visits to local clinics, hospitals, and medical schools. You will also participate in service learning projects and work on eliminating health disparities in the community you serve.
Location: Baptist Health Sciences University (BHSU), Memphis, TN
Cost: Free camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – 12
Application deadline: Not specified, but the application window opens in March
Eligibility: Rising 6th–12th graders
The HealthCORE Camp is a five-day program for middle and high school students interested in health careers. As a participant, you will explore professions and key skills in healthcare through clinical observation, hands-on laboratory sessions, and activities focused on public health, first aid, and emergency care. You will also engage in tours of the BHSU university and a hospital. Additionally, you will participate in group and individual activities to develop skills like dissection and lab diagnosis. The experience can provide you with exposure to daily operations in medicine and healthcare.
Location: IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: $75; scholarships and discounts available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: June 30 – July 3
Application deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 8
The Metropolitan Indianapolis Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the University of Indianapolis collaborate to offer various summer camps to school students and undergrads. Among them, the Doctor's Camp is designed for middle schoolers, offering an opportunity to gain insights into a career in medicine and healthcare. Under the guidance of student volunteers of the IU School of Medicine, you will explore various branches of the medical profession, including niche specializations. You will also develop essential basic medical skills and learn how to prepare for med school academics through various sessions.
Location: American University, Washington, D.C.; University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $2,895 (residential) | $2,495 (commuter); scholarships offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: American University: June 11 – 16; June 20 – 25, June 28 – July 3 | UC Berkeley: July 14 – 19; July 23 – 28
Application deadline: Rolling; till spots fill
Eligibility: Students must be at least 11 years of age and currently enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade
NSLC’s Middle School Medicine and Healthcare summer program is an opportunity to explore medical and health-related careers and the skills required to pursue these paths. Here, you will participate in dissections and learn techniques like suturing and injections through hands-on simulated activities. You will also learn about patient care, establishing a doctor–patient relationship, and the vital signs and basic details to examine during any appointment. Additionally, you will engage in off-campus visits to well-known landmarks, museums, and/or science academies. You will engage in sessions and workshops to prepare for academic life in high school and beyond and practice communication, listening, and empathy.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost: Free except for a possible entry fee of $35–$45, depending on location; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Each has limited space with small cohort sizes of 10 to 20, depending on the location
Dates: Typically in July; 1-, 2-, or 3-day camps with varying dates depending on the location
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12; each camp has a specific age range
The Medical Academy of Science and Health (MASH) offers summer camps in medicine and healthcare at locations across the U.S. at Area Health Education Center (AHEC) sites, colleges, and universities. Here, you will engage in simulation activities in medical/nursing labs and attend workshops on diverse topics in medicine and healthcare, such as cardiac care, pathology, surgery, and nursing. You will don hospital scrubs and engage in training and activities organized at the chosen camp location. While the exact activities can vary, you may get to learn how to use microscopes, read blood pressure, and perform first aid. You will get a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
11. MIT’s DynaMIT
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; housing, meals, and transportation costs are not covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Week 1: August 11 – August 15 (6th and 7th graders) | Week 2: August 18 – 22 (8th and 9th graders)
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 9; local applicants are preferred as the program doesn’t cover housing and transportation
DynaMIT is a free in-person day program hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology designed for middle school students from low-income families and/or with limited exposure to STEM, including medicine. Here, you will engage in hands-on experiments under the mentorship of MIT student mentors, tour labs, and participate in educational and bonding activities. The camp covers various topics in science, including diseases. You will also explore other STEM fields like forensic science, engineering, and astronomy during the program.
Location: Multiple locations in the Treasure Coast and South Florida area
Cost: Varies as per type of program, duration, location, and materials used; typically $200 –$450)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: Vary as per type of program and location; summer programs typically start in June
Application deadline: Rolling dates
Eligibility: Middle school students and teens; age range varies for each camp
The Little Medical School’s Programs offer kids and teens opportunities to explore careers in medicine and healthcare through hands-on activities, role-play, and interactive demonstrations with a STEM-associated foundation. Depending on the program you choose, you will learn how technological data analysis can be used for patient information, human/animal anatomy, engineering concepts for medical issues, or math to accurately determine a dose of medication. You can choose a niche area of medicine/healthcare and play the role of a surgeon, nurse, veterinarian, pharmacist, pediatrician, or dentist. Each program offers foundational knowledge and medical skill development associated with the role. You can check the details of upcoming programs and events here.
Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
Cost: $175 for the first camp and $75 for the second consecutive camp; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: June 16 – June 20 | June 30 – July 3
Application deadline: May 5, which can be extended if spots are available
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
The University of Alabama, Birmingham’s Center for Community Outreach Development offers various STEM-associated summer camps, including those on genetics and medicine. For instance, Camp 4: Physfactor allows you to play the role of a physician, public health nurse, lab technician, and biomedical engineer to solve medical mysteries, diagnose patients, recommend treatments, and block a viral epidemic. Through such hands-on activities, you will learn how to examine a simulated patient, understand the human body and the spread of diseases, and explore medical technologies. The camp also helps you learn about the effects of exercise on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. You can also opt for Camp 5: Molecules and You to learn about careers in biomedical sciences.
Location: UCSD Division of Extended Studies, San Diego, CA; part of the course content may be scheduled online
Cost: $275
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Typically May-end
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–8
UC San Diego Extended Studies offers various courses, including the Middle School: A Dose of Pharmacreations, which offers insights into the collaborative work of pharmacists and physicians in patient care. During the course, you will interact with guest experts, explore career opportunities in pharmacy, and apply pharmacy-specific skills to work on simulated cases. You will develop key skills like critical thinking and problem-solving through activities and learn about the exact duties of a pharmacist. You will also learn how to use medical devices such as inhalers and EpiPens. Additionally, you will customize a medicine by applying pharmacy-specific skills you learn during the course.
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA; Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,898 (residential) | $1,498 (commuter) + additional supplemental fees for each of the programs + application fee starting at $99; need-based and IDEA scholarships offered (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: Vary as per location; multiple sessions in the July-August period
Application deadline: Rolling till spots fill (check dates and availability here)
Eligibility: Students completing grades 6 – 8
Hosted at various university campuses, the Summer Springboard's Middle School Medicine program is an opportunity to learn essential medical skills from medical professionals. You will learn about diverse careers in medicine, work with medical professionals, and gain hands-on experience in key techniques in emergency medicine, such as setting up a splint and performing CPR. You will also attend workshops on college admissions, participate in college tours and site visits, tour university labs, and collaborate with your peers on activities and weekend excursions. The program also offers opportunities to participate in simulated emergency room situations and collaborate with peers to diagnose, research, and develop a treatment plan for a simulated patient.
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 mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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