Medical Research Summer Internships for High School Students
For high school students with aspirations of becoming a physician, or those more broadly interested in the biological sciences, a medical internship can be a transformative experience. These internships provide invaluable exposure, experience, and guidance on how to pursue a healthcare job from professionals already working in the field. By spending time in a medical environment, high schoolers can begin to decide for themselves whether a career in medicine is right for them and, if so, how they would like to be involved in the healthcare apparatus, be it in clinical work, drug discovery and development, or hospital administration.
The Value of Medical Internships
Among the varied career aspirations of academically successful high school students, becoming a physician is often near the top. However, becoming a doctor is by no means the only path into medicine, a field with a vast range of career possibilities in caretaking, policy, and management. High school students can take advantage of opportunities to shadow or intern in hospital and care administration settings, not only to boost their extracurricular profile on their college applications but, more importantly, to explore different career paths within medicine. The best way for high school students to develop informed opinions on this range of occupational prospects is to participate in a medical internship.
Types of Medical Internships
Medical internships for high school students can take various forms, each offering unique experiences and benefits.
Research-Focused Internships
These internships allow students to work alongside leading scientists and researchers in biomedical laboratories. Participants may be involved in:
- Conducting experiments
- Collecting and analyzing data
- Contributing to ongoing research projects
- Presenting research findings
Examples include:
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- Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR): This eight-week program invites students from diverse backgrounds to perform basic research with Stanford faculty and fellows, focusing on a medically oriented project.
- Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship (SHIP): This eight-week paid internship includes hands-on training in lab techniques and supervised work in a Fred Hutch faculty member’s research lab.
- National Human Genome Research Institute Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research: This program immerses students in an environment devoted to better understanding the underlying causes of human genetic disease.
- University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS): This four-week intensive training program exposes students to a broad range of molecular, microbiological, and cell biological techniques used in research labs.
- The Wistar Institute High School Program in Biomedical Research: This program offers hands-on opportunities to take part in experimental research projects in areas such as cancer biology, genetics, vaccine development, bioinformatics, and infectious diseases.
- J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) Internship Program: This program provides an in-depth, structured research experience with a dedicated mentor, collaboration with world-class scientists, and hands-on participation in research projects.
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Volunteer Program: This program connects students with experts devoted to preventing, treating, and curing cancer, allowing them to work on independent research projects under the guidance of a research scientist.
- Scripps Research High School Student Summer Internship Program: At the Scripps Florida campus, high schoolers engage in a nine-week hands-on research experience.
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program: This program introduces Texas rising seniors to a research environment and provides firsthand experience in the varied career opportunities available at the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment center.
- Washington University School of Medicine Young Scientist Program (YSP): This program features paid summer research internships, hands-on scientific demonstrations, field trips to Washington University campuses, and individual mentoring.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Summer Internship in Biomedical Research: This program invites top high school students to conduct research under award-winning scientists and principal investigators.
- Salk Institute Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program: This eight-week paid internship for San Diego County residents includes conducting research under a mentor in a Salk lab, participating in virtual seminars and workshops, and presenting research projects.
- Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE): This program introduces Massachusetts high school students to the world of cancer research through placement in real research settings.
- Forsyth Institute Student Scholars Summer Internship Program: This eight-week internship pairs students with Forsyth faculty researchers as mentors, allowing them to learn basic laboratory techniques and present their findings.
- Magee-Women’s Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program: This program allows students to participate in basic, translational, or clinical scientific research for four weeks under the guidance of an investigator.
- TGen Helios Scholars: This paid, eight-week summer internship program is open to graduating seniors in Arizona, allowing them to work on a research project under the mentorship of a TGen scientist.
- Summer Child Health Research Internship: This nine-week program offers the opportunity to research and learn about child health, with the chance to choose a mentor from a list of faculty in the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging Internship: This summer research internship prepares local high school students for careers in biomedical and geroscience research.
Clinical and Patient Care Internships
These internships offer students the chance to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting, working alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Activities may include:
- Shadowing medical staff
- Assisting with patient care tasks
- Taking vital signs
- Learning basic medical procedures
- Volunteering in hospital departments
Examples include:
- Medical Immersion Summer Academy (MISA): This program offers hands-on skills training, mentorship, and clinical immersion, introducing students to medical research and “step into the shoes of an MD” workshops.
- Camp Cardiac and Camp Neuro: These camps serve as an ideal introduction for high school students interested in exploring a career in medicine, with a focus on education and real-world experience.
- Red Cross Bay Area Leadership Development Center (LDC): This four-day conference provides opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills and participate in workshops on topics such as disaster preparedness and international services.
- National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Health Care: This nine-day residential summer program provides a glimpse of all aspects of the medical field, with interactive lectures, small group workshops, and clinical rounds.
- Outset Summer Program: This one-week program is hosted on university campuses and includes a pre-med preparation curriculum, hands-on activities, and workshops with physicians and medical faculty.
- UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program: This program places high school juniors and seniors in hospital departments across Westwood and Santa Monica, assisting with administrative and patient support tasks.
- Cedars-Sinai High School Student Volunteers: This program puts students in a real hospital environment, shadowing clinical staff, helping visitors, and supporting hospital operations.
- Kaiser Permanente Teen Volunteer Program: This year-round volunteer program runs at multiple Kaiser Permanente sites across California, helping with non-clinical tasks such as delivering supplies and greeting patients.
- Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Volunteer Program: This program gives students access to hospital departments such as physical therapy, patient transport, and emergency registration, assisting with clerical tasks and visitor support.
- KP LAUNCH Program: This program gives students early access to medical career paths through a structured, hospital-based summer internship, including rotations in clinical departments, health education workshops, and mentorship.
- Rady Children’s Hospital - Summer Medical Academy: This program offers hands-on clinical simulations, anatomy workshops, and daily lectures from practicing physicians.
- Stanford Clinical Summer Internship: This program brings together learners to actively engage in the exploration of the art and science behind world-class medicine.
- Georgetown University School of Medicine Programs: These programs offer summer internships and medical immersion programs for local high school students, providing exposure to various medical departments.
Public Health and Policy Internships
For students interested in the broader aspects of healthcare, these internships offer opportunities to explore public health issues, healthcare policy, and community health initiatives. Activities may include:
- Collecting and analyzing data related to public health concerns
- Developing and implementing health education programs
- Working with community organizations to address health disparities
- Researching and advocating for healthcare policies
Examples include:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Museum Disease Detective Camp: This five-day program focuses on collecting and analyzing data related to public health interventions, global health, infectious disease, and other topics.
- Columbia University - College of Physicians and Surgeons Summer Public Health Scholars Program: This program is designed for undergraduate students to increase their knowledge of public health and biomedical science careers.
- Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Public Health Student Intern Program: This program offers unpaid experience for current graduate and undergraduate students in schools of public health and public health programs.
- NACCHO Health Policy and Practice Scholars Program: This program is designed for graduate-level students to work on policy and practice issues impacting public health at the local level.
Other Specialized Internships
- American Diabetes Association Internship: This internship allows students to engage in the daily activities of staff and gain real-world experience while making a difference in the lives of people affected by diabetes.
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA) International Health Opportunities Directory: AMSA partners with AMOpportunities (AMO) to offer clinical experiences, including observerships for eligible premedical students.
- Cardinal Health Internship & EMERGE Programs: These programs are for undergraduates, offering leadership development opportunities and MBA internships.
- CVS Health Internships: These internships are available for undergraduate, MBA, and Master’s degree students in pharmacy, healthcare operations, dietetics and nutrition, nursing, and optometry.
- GlaxoSmithKline Undergraduate Internship Program: GSK offers intern and co-op opportunities across most divisions to undergraduates and graduates from a variety of academic backgrounds.
- Indian Health Service - Medical Student and Residency Elective Opportunities: These opportunities are available on or near American Indian and Alaska Native reservations.
- Johnson & Johnson Internships: These internships offer a chance to work on vital assignments and initiatives, gaining hands-on experience that will help students grow both personally and professionally.
- Mayo Clinic Internships: Mayo Clinic offers internships in various fields, including Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Engineering, Information Technology, Public Affairs, and Nursing.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship: These programs provide an opportunity to work at the NIH side-by-side with leading scientists in biomedical research.
- Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) Internships: These internships allow students to join a global team of innovators working to accelerate health equity.
- Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship: This intensive course is designed for high school students considering careers in science and medicine, providing knowledge of cardiothoracic surgical anatomy and physiology.
- AI in Medicine Summer Programs (by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging): These programs aim to spark interest and empower the next generation of AI leaders in medicine.
- Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Summer Internship Program: This program hosts high school and undergraduate students in research laboratories, mastering basic lab techniques and participating in research projects.
- Stanford CARE AI Summer Program for High School Students: This program is designed for high school students passionate about improving health outcomes in Asian communities and beyond, teaching the fundamentals of statistical data analysis and AI tools.
- The Gateway Exploration Program: This program is a summer internship opportunity for local high school students to explore their dream of becoming a physician.
- MIT THINK Project: This program supports students in the early stages of independent STEM research projects, providing funding, mentorship, and technical guidance.
How to Find and Apply for Medical Internships
- Research Programs: Explore the various internship programs available, considering your interests, skills, and career goals.
- Check Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet the age, academic, and residency requirements for each program.
- Prepare Your Application: Gather necessary documents such as transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation.
- Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit your materials on time.
- Network: Reach out to professionals in the medical field to learn about potential opportunities and gain insights into the application process.
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