Learn about medical internships for high school students in this guide. We cover the ten best medical internships for high schoolers and more!
If you’re interested in a career in health and medicine as a high school student, medical internships are a great way to explore your interests.
With high school internships and summer programs offering a plethora of valuable opportunities and experiences, participating in a specialized internship can open up more doors within specific areas of interest.
Medical internships for high school students are great opportunities to learn new skills, apply what you’ve learned, and prepare for pre-med in high school.
By offering practical experience, mentorship, and access to networks in the medical field, having a medical internship under your belt in high school can help you stand out during your college application and your journey to medical school.
This article will discuss ten of the best medical internships tailored to high school students, the pros and cons of participating in a medical internship during high school, how to choose the best medical internship for you, and more!
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10 Medical Internships for High School Students
If you’re wondering what medical internships are available for high school students, you’ll be surprised to know that there are a wide variety of opportunities to choose from. From local to international medical internships, we’ll cover ten internships you can access as a high school student.
This program focuses on biomedical research, tackling research in behavioral sciences, social sciences, biology, chemistry, and everything in between. The NIH Summer Internship program takes place over eight consecutive weeks between the months of May and September.
The program takes place in more than 1,150 labs across the US, giving students from all over the country an opportunity to participate.
To apply, you’ll need to provide a resume/CV, a cover letter, two references, and course marks. Ensure to check the NIH program website for further eligibility requirements, deadlines, and necessary application documents.
2. Stanford’s High School Outreach Programs (US)
Stanford offers several medical internships for high school students, all with the mission of empowering high school students with interests in medical practice and exploration.
Stanford offers the following programs focusing on research, clinical experience, and mentorship:
Stanford Clinical Summer Internship empowers high school students from different backgrounds to actively explore the art and science of medicine alongside Stanford med students, residents, and faculty members.
With these three options available for high school students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years, Stanford offers a diverse array of foci and topics within the medical field.
3. Penn Medicine Summer Program for High School Students (US)
This intensive program is curated to give juniors and seniors an introduction to basic medical concepts, training, simulations, and demonstrations. The Penn Medicine Summer Program also offers participating students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Penn’s campus and culture.
4. Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth: Medicine & Health Sciences Program (US)
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers a variety of programs for high school students in the areas of medicine, health, and sciences. Their goal is to give students the opportunity to explore and grow in their interests.
While their summer intensive programs are course-based, they offer hands-on experiences for students to explore fundamental medical and scientific concepts and the real-world applications of scientific research and health policy.
As a participant, you’ll be able to travel while shadowing doctors, nurses, PAs, dentists, medical counselors, and other medical professionals. Participating in this opportunity will allow you to ultimately strengthen your college and subsequent med school applications.
6. Healthcare Education & Medical Outreach (Costa Rica)
This program is a great way for students to learn more about the medical field, providing students with the opportunity to work with medical professionals in underserved communities in Costa Rica.
The medical internship offers practical experience for high school students, tasking interns to collect vitals, assist with mobile clinics, organize health education meetings, and more. You’ll also have enough downtime to immerse yourself in the nature and culture that Costa Rica has to offer.
7. Medicine Summer School in Cambridge (UK)
The Cambridge Medicine Summer School is a two-week program for high school students who are looking to learn more about fundamental medical concepts. This program also allows its students to apply what they have learned through a series of practical activities supervised by instructors from the world’s leading universities.
By the end of this short program, you’ll know how to suture, measure blood pressure, and many more!
With a greater focus on the CDC’s work, students will have a more holistic understanding of the significance of medical practice, research, and data collection within our society.
9. Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program (US)
In this four-week program, students will immerse themselves in a research project overseen by an investigator at Magee-Womens Hospital and Research Institute. At the end of this medical internship, students will present their research findings to their peers and faculty.
10. Harvard Medical School Project Success: Opening the Door to Biomedical Careers (US)
The Harvard Medical School’s Project Success is a medical internship for high school students in Boston and Cambridge. This program offers paid mentorship and research internships to underrepresented students.
Taking place over the span of eight weeks, you’ll have access to mentorship, a variety of seminars, Harvard’s network of scientists and physicians, and more!
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Pros and Cons of Medical Internships for High Schoolers
Now that we’ve covered some of the best medical internships for high school students, you might be wondering whether or not a medical internship is a good option for you. Here, we’ll go over some pros and cons of taking part in a medical internship as a high school student.
High School Medical Internship Pros
Here are some pros to taking part in a medical internship in high school:
You Get to Explore Your Interest in Medicine
Taking part in a medical internship in high school is an excellent chance for you to learn more about medicine and truly explore your interest.
As a high school student interested in pursuing a career as a medical doctor or healthcare professional, it’s important to explore and learn as much about the field to inform your future career and post-secondary options. Medicine is a huge commitment, so it’s crucial that you know whether or not you’re truly passionate about the field.
You Gain Rich and Meaningful Experiences
Whether you participate in a medical internship locally or abroad, you’re sure to gain rich and meaningful experiences during your internship period.
Academically, you will have access to professionals within the field to help you gain hands-on and real-world knowledge. You’ll be able to understand what it truly means to practice medicine, understand the impact you make, and meet peers and individuals from many walks of life.
Taking part in an internship will allow you to immerse yourself in new and different environments, ultimately diversifying and enriching your life experience.
Get a Headstart in Building Your Resume and Setting Yourself Up for Success
Taking part in a medical internship in high school will give you a huge head start when it comes to building your resume and gaining relevant experience.
Taking part in a medical internship so early on in your career also sets your college and med school applications up for success. You’ll be able to network and develop relationships with experts in the field, and gain potential references and opportunities in the future!
High School Medical Internship Cons
While the pros of participating in a medical internship as a high school student may often outweigh the cons, there are some valuable considerations you should make beforehand. We’ll cover a few below.
Cost
While medical internships are a great asset to your resume and overall academic and professional development, it’s important to consider the fees associated with some medical internships.
Many of these programs for high school students will require fees for the resources they provide students, and depending on what internships you’d like to take part in, you might have to pay substantial costs for travel and accommodations, among other things.
While this can be the case, some programs do offer financial aid for participating students, so ensure that you do your research to see what options are available.
Time Commitment
Time commitment is another big factor to consider when taking part in a medical internship. These internships can span from two weeks to eight weeks. If you opt for a program that takes place for longer, you might miss out on other opportunities and experiences that you’d like to take part in.
As a high school student, you’ll only have your summers to take part in these internships, so ensure that you carefully assess whether or not you are willing to take on that commitment.
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How to Choose the Best Medical Internship for You
Now that you’re aware of some pros and cons of participating in a medical internship in high school, you might be wondering how to choose the best medical internship for you. Here, we’ll cover some tips and considerations to make to help you make the best choice!
Check Your Eligibility
First and foremost, it’s essential to know whether or not you’re eligible for the medical internships you’re considering. Factors like age, country or state of residence, and year of study are some main factors you should look at.
Know Your Goals
Understanding your goals and knowing why you want to take part in a medical internship is of utmost importance when it comes to choosing the best medical internship for you.
Are you looking to gain knowledge and practical experience in research? Would you like to explore public health systems and the applications of medicine? Or are you hoping to gain hands-on clinical experience?
Remember to ask yourself what you want to take out of your medical internship. Knowing your intentions will inform your decision as to which program will be the best one for you.
Consider Cost and Logistics
Another consideration to make when deciding which internship is best for you is cost and logistics. Some programs may cost more than others and may require you to pay additional costs for board and lodging, which can be a limitation for many students.
Ensure that you do research to better find out whether or not a medical internship works within your budget and capability.
With all of these considerations in mind, it goes without saying that it’s essential to do your research on each program you plan on applying for through their website and external reviews. It will also be beneficial to reflect on your goals and how you want this medical internship to benefit you!
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FAQs: Medical Internships for High School Students
Now that we’ve covered the top ten medical internships for high school students and what considerations to make before applying, we’ll get into some FAQs to answer any lingering questions you might still have.
1. Does a Medical Internship Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Med School?
A medical internship can definitely help boost your application but will not necessarily improve your chances of getting in.
Your medical school application consists of many essential parts. It’s crucial that you make the most of each experience to maximize your chances of getting accepted to your dream medical school.
2. Are Medical Internships Worth it for High School Students?
Medical internships can be worth it for high school students depending on their goals and the resources they have.
Remember that while taking on a medical internship in high school can look good on your application and your resume, it’s not a requirement.
3. How Long Are Medical Internships for High School Students?
Medical internships for high school students typically run through the summer or winter months. They can run for as short as two weeks and as long as eight.
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Final Thoughts
Taking on a medical internship as a high school student can be a fantastic opportunity to gain experience and learn more about the medical field.
With the wide variety of options for medical internships, from public health, physician shadowing, and research, to course-based and lab internships, you’re sure to find something that aligns with your goals and needs.
Remember to carefully reflect on what you want to achieve with a medical internship during high school to make the most of your experience.
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