Medical internships for high school students are amazing opportunities to explore a career in healthcare. Gaining these experiences are useful, too, if you want to know how to get into medical school, how to get into nursing school, dental school, veterinary school or even how to get into PA school. Many medical internships are focused on fostering students’ interest in science and healthcare, regardless of what area of health you want to pursue as a future career. The opportunities are plentiful, but this can make choosing the right one for you a little tricky. In this blog, we’ll look at just some of the incredible medical internships available for high school students, how they can benefit you, where to find them and how to choose the right one for your future.
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List of Medical Internships for High School Students (US)
Here are some of the top medical internships for high school students in the US. Keep in mind this list is far from exhaustive, and there may be a variety of opportunities available at each institution.
- University of Chicago Medicine Pre-College Programs
- University of Pennsylvania Penn Medicine Summer Program
- Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
- Stanford Clinical Anatomy Summer Program – Virtual and in-person
- Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego Medical Academy
- Harvard Medical School MEDscience Program
- Harvard Medical School Project Success for High School Students
- Boston Leadership Institute's Biomedical Research and Medical Programs
- UCSF Summer Student Research Program
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) High School Internship Program
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) Museum Disease Detective Camp
- Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Programs
- High School Senior Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
- Health Care Career Exploration Camp
- The Seacole Scholars Program
- Medical Immersion Summer Academy (MISA)
- Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine: Achieve in Medicine (AIM–High)
- Magee-Women’s Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program
- Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience High School Internship
- National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Healthcare
- KP Launch High School Internship
- Youth Health Service Corps
- Summer Child Health Research Internship
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Summer Internship in Biomedical Research
- Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
- Medical College of Wisconsin Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM)
- Georgetown University Summer Medical Academy
- Wake Forest University Summer Medical Immersion Program
- Cleveland Clinic Summer Internship Program
- Youth Health Service Corps
- Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Programs
- Salk Institute Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
- National Human Genome Research Institute Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research
- The Wistar Institute High School Program in Biomedical Research
- J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) Internship Program
- Scripps Research High School Student Summer Internship Program
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program
- Washington University School of Medicine Young Scientist Program (YSP): Summer Focus
- TGEN Helios Scholars
- Forsyth Institute Student Scholars Summer Internship Program
List of Medical Internships for High School Students (Canada)
Finding medical internships for high school students in Canada may be a bit challenging compared to some other countries due to the regulations and requirements in the Canadian healthcare system. However, there are still opportunities for high school students interested in gaining exposure to the healthcare field. Here are some options to consider:
- University of Toronto Youth Summer Program – Medicine (Med YSP)
- Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program at the Sunnybrook Research Institute
- University of Alberta High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute High School Summer Research Program
- University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Summer Studentship Program
There are many more places to look for summer programs for high school students, including:
What are Medical Internships for High School Students?
Medical internships for high school students can cover a variety of different programs, from summertime programs to innovative camps to paid jobs.
Medical internships aim to introduce high school students to the field of healthcare and medicine, usually through research projects, seminars, shadowing, hands-on learning opportunities, team projects and even paid work.
What can medical internships do for me?
They can be an excellent way to introduce yourself to a career in medicine and help you decide whether you want to become a doctor, nurse, dentist, veterinarian or other type of healthcare provider. A medical internship, summer program or research program can give you a glimpse into the world of healthcare and deepen your understanding and interest in science and medicine. If you participate in a shadowing program, you can actually witness the day-to-day life of a healthcare practitioner such as a nurse or a doctor.
These can be eye-opening experiences for anyone thinking of applying to medical school, and it can confirm your decision to enter medicine as a career or allow you to explore alternative career paths you haven’t yet considered.
Not only this, but participating in a medical internship or summer program for high school students can help you stand out in a medical school application or be a nice bonus on your extracurriculars for college. Participation in a medical internship demonstrates you have a passion and curiosity for medicine, and that you’ve worked on developing the skills and mindset that will help you become a successful healthcare practitioner.
What opportunities do medical internships offer?
Medical internships for high school students come in many forms, but primarily they offer the opportunity to high school students to participate in premed research, shadow a doctor or healthcare professional, participate in hands-on learning simulations or work on group projects.
These are all invaluable experiences that can help you get into college and medical school. Research is important for medical school applicants, as it can help you stand out and show you have a strong passion for medicine, as well as essential skills required to succeed in medical school. Similarly, many medical schools require you to have at least some shadowing experience or clinical hours for medical school, and a medical internship can not only provide you with both, it can open doors to more extensive clinical experiences and premed jobs.
While a medical internship is not a guaranteed acceptance to medical school, it is a springboard you can use to build momentum. Exploring your interest in medicine during your high school years has a greater benefit than waiting until your undergraduate years to explore a career in medicine, as it can give you a head start.
What are the pros and cons of medical internships for high school students?
The pros of participating in a medical internship are numerous. They can help you decide whether healthcare is the career track for you, instill you will invaluable skills and personal growth, be an asset on your college and medical school applications, and prepare you for college-level learning.
Despite the many benefits of medical internships, there are some drawbacks. Some of these opportunities can be extremely expensive, costing thousands of dollars for you to participate in them. There may also be travel and accommodation costs included, depending on where the program is located or if you need to travel abroad to participate in-person.
Not all of these programs are available to all students, as some are restricted to applicants who are local and regional, or are only open to students from underrepresented communities. It’s important to check the eligibility criteria, cost and location of a program beforehand, so you can see if you qualify.
Here’s a summary of how to go from high school to medical school:
How to Apply for Medical Internships for High School Students
To apply to medical internships for high school students is usually quite straightforward. Most programs allow you to submit an application yourself online, so long as you meet the eligibility criteria and pay any registration fees.
Some medical internships are free to attend, but require a small registration fee, while others may have a cost to participate. Still others are actually true internships, meaning you are paid a stipend to cover your expenses or a salary as a working student.
The eligibility and application requirements for medical internships can vary depending on what they are and how competitive they are. Here are some common requirements you may need to prepare:
- Registration fee
- Must be a certain age
- Must be located in a specific geographical area (some programs only accept students from certain high schools, counties or cities)
- Must be from a minority or underrepresented community
- Unofficial transcripts or minimum GPA in specific high school courses
- Personal essay or cover letter
- High school resume
- Recommendation letter from a teacher or guidance counselor
Where to find opportunities for high school students
Aside from official internships and summer programs, there are many ways to find internships for high school students. Also check out some of the best companies for premeds to get a better idea of what resources are out there.
- Local Hospitals: Contact hospitals in your area and inquire about any internship or shadowing programs for high school students. Many hospitals offer such opportunities.
- Youth Volunteer Programs: Look for youth volunteer programs at hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. While not always formal internships, volunteering can provide exposure to the healthcare field.
- Research Opportunities: Check if any local universities or research institutions offer research internships for high school students in medical or biomedical fields.
- Medical Associations: Some medical associations and organizations, like the American Medical Association (AMA) or local medical societies, may have outreach programs or resources for high school students interested in medicine.
- Medical Camps: Explore medical camps or workshops designed for high school students. These often include hands-on experiences and introductions to various medical specialties.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Organizations like the American Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders may have opportunities for high school students to get involved in healthcare-related activities.
- Clinical Shadowing: Reach out to healthcare professionals in your community (doctors, nurses, dentists, etc.) and inquire about the possibility of shadowing them to gain insights into their daily work.
- Online Internships: Some organizations offer virtual medical internships or online courses related to healthcare and medicine. These can be a good option if in-person opportunities are limited.
- STEM Programs: Look for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs in your area, as they may include medical components or partnerships with healthcare institutions.
- Museums and Science Centers: Many large museums and science centers offer workshops, seminars and summer camps for high school students interested in science and medicine, including the American Museum of Natural History and the California Science Center.
- Local Health Departments: Contact your local health department to see if they have any programs or initiatives for high school students interested in public health or healthcare.
- Health Science Magnet Schools: If your high school offers a health science or biomedical magnet program, they may have connections with local healthcare institutions for internships.
- Scholarship Programs: Some scholarship programs for aspiring healthcare professionals may include internship components as part of the award.
- Community Colleges: Community colleges with allied health programs may offer opportunities for high school students to take introductory healthcare courses or participate in related activities.
How to Choose the Best Medical Internship for You
Choosing the right medical internship for you can be tough when there are so many to choose from. You’ll need to do a bit of research to narrow down the list of potential programs you are eligible for and then make a list of programs that are of interest to you and will give you the best experience possible.
Consider the following things when researching medical internships for you:
FAQs
1. What are medical internships for high school students?
Medical internships can include summer programs for high school students interested in pursuing a career in medicine or healthcare, but they also include paid internships and other types of learning opportunities. Medical internships are designed to introduce high school students to the field of healthcare through observerships and shadowing, research projects, hands-on learning and workshops.
2. Should I apply for a medical internship as a high school student?
If you are interested in a career in healthcare, yes! Applying for a medical internship as a high school student is a great way to introduce yourself to a potential future career and explore your interest in medicine.
3. What are the requirements for a medical internship?
The requirements for a medical internship often include a registration fee or participation fee, plus an application. Applications usually include your academic record or GPA, an essay, a recommendation letter, a cover letter or a resume.
4. Is completing a medical internship worth it?
Yes, completing a medical internship or participating in a summer program can be well worth it if you plan to apply to medical school or pursue a career in healthcare. Medical internships can give you valuable first experiences in medicine, fostering your passion for the field, and can be a great addition to your applications. They can also help you confirm whether medicine is the right career path for you and what your options are.
5. How hard is it to get a medical internship?
Some medical internships are very competitive and tough to get into because they are well-known and popular. They might receive hundreds or thousands of applications for a small number of spots. However, many medical internships have strict eligibility criteria which makes them tougher to get into.
6. Do I need a medical internship as a high school student to get into medical school?
No, it is not necessary to complete a medical internship in high school to get accepted to medical school or any other professional program. Nor does completing one guarantee your acceptance to a program. However, an internship can be a good bonus to have on your application, it can help you develop important skills needed to succeed in medical school and provide you with a lasting learning experience.
7. What do you do during a medical internship?
What you do during a medical internship can vary depending on the program. Some allow you to participate in a research project or team project related to medicine, others are merely instructional. Some programs are observerships or shadowing opportunities where you are a passive observer only. Hands-on programs might give you a chance to work on simulated problems or work in a lab environment.
8. How do I find a medical internship for high school students?
There are many medical internship opportunities out there. To find ones near you, reach out to local hospitals, medical schools or universities or community health organizations. There are also medical internships you can find through regional and national health organizations, nonprofits, and scientific organizations.
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