Biomedical Summer Internships for High School Students: A Comprehensive Guide
For high school students considering a future in medicine, a biomedical science internship can be invaluable. These internships offer early exposure to the field, allowing students to explore its many facets and determine if it is the right fit. Internships also serve as a first step to studying medicine, as they can facilitate skill and knowledge building through participation in research-based lab internships or hospital-based healthcare internships.
The Value of Early Exposure
Early exposure through internships can give you an edge in the competitive college application process. It demonstrates a proactive approach to learning and a genuine interest in the field. Admissions committees look for applicants who have gone the extra mile to explore their chosen field outside the school curriculum, which tells them a student is committed to personal and professional growth. Biomedical science is a broad discipline supported by a wide range of fields-cell biology, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, genetics and molecular biology, immunology, and more, providing valuable information to aid healthcare professionals diagnose and treat diseases and manage overall health.
An internship in this field can help you decide if biomedical science is something you want to pursue in college, giving you a glimpse into professional life in the field. Internships that offer knowledge and skill-building, along with real-world exposure can also boost your college applications. Several reputed institutes and independent organizations offer high school students the opportunity to engage with and get hands-on experience in cutting-edge biomedical research.
Internship Opportunities in Florida
If you’re a high school student in Florida, here are some of the best medical internships available to you!
1. Ladder Internships
Ladder Internship offers high school students the chance to intern with start-ups and non-profit organizations around the world. The organizations are spread across a range of industries, with a number of intern positions in healthcare, medicine, health tech and digital health products. You can choose the field you wish to work in! As an intern, you will work on a real-world project and present your work at the end of their internship. You will work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach - who serves as a second mentor, helping you navigate the startup environment. This internship program allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in real world scenarios.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Biomedical Engineering Scholarships
- Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
- Cost: \$1,990. Financial assistance is available.
- Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
- Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
- Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
2. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at UMiami’s School of Medicine
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is ideal for students interested in the biological and computational sciences, open to high school juniors in the Miami and Broward areas. Interns spend 8 weeks in this intensive research program at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG) laboratories. You will be paired with a staff member, post-doc student, or faculty member. You will work with cutting-edge tech, hone your research and presentation skills, and explore the subject in depth. The HIHG is dedicated to identifying genes involved in human diseases to diagnose, intervene, and prevent illness.
- Location: John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
- Stipend/Cost: No cost. A stipend will be provided.
- Internship Dates: June 17 - August 9
- Application Deadline: Jan 31
- Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have the right to work in the US can apply.
3. Max Planck Florida Institute of Neuroscience High School Internship
This six-week internship, designed for juniors and seniors in Palm Beach or Martin County high schools, explores brain structure, function, and development while providing experience with advanced imaging techniques and technologies. You can choose from three specialized tracks: neuroscience, scientific programming, and mechanical engineering. You will work with MPFI scientists. The program culminates with you writing a scientific abstract and delivering a concise presentation. This full-time opportunity requires 40 hours a week.
- Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
- Stipend/Cost: No cost. Students will be paid \$12.50 per hour
- Internship Dates: June 17 - July 26
- Application Deadline: March 4
- Eligibility: Juniors or seniors attending a high school in Palm Beach or Martin County.
4. High School Summer Internship Program at FIU’s Center for Translational Science
This 5-week program, offered by Florida International University’s Center for Translational Science (FIU-CTS) is ideal for high school juniors and seniors looking to explore research in biomedical science. Interns will be guided by scientists at CTS who work in the fields of neuroscience, aging and wellness, and drug discovery. During the program, you will work in the center’s laboratories, conducting experiments and analyzing data and your research results. You will network with professionals, showcase your achievements at a luncheon, and receive a scientific poster for future competitions. Completing the program earns you a certificate, a letter from the Program Director, and over 100 volunteer hours.
- Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
- Stipend/Cost: TBA
- Internship Dates: The program will be held in June. Exact dates are yet to be announced.
- Application Deadline: Dates are yet to be announced!
- Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors. More information will be announced by March.
5. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Teen Academic Year Program
This program is for high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Academic Internship Program. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital collaborates with M-DCPS to offer academic year internships (that run from August to May). This program allows you to learn valuable healthcare administration skills and gain experience while earning academic credit. Students are expected to commit to 5-10 hours weekly, with a flexible virtual, hybrid, or in-person schedule. Weekly timesheets and quarterly grade evaluations provide ongoing support and assessment during the internship.
- Location: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL. Virtual and hybrid options are also offered.
- Stipend/Cost: No cost or stipend. Students earn credit.
- Internship Dates: Year-round, from August to May.
- Application Deadline: No information available. Check the M-DCPS internships page.
6. FIU’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health
The Florida International University offers a Summer Research Internship for local area high school and FIU transfer students to engage in cardiovascular health research over 8 weeks. This program will hone your research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills. Before the internship begins, you will be matched with an FIU faculty research mentor and complete online safety courses. As an intern, you will attend weekly professional and academic development workshops and participate in intern meetings featuring journal clubs and case study discussions. The program will culminate with interns submitting research abstracts and delivering presentations at an awards ceremony. The top presenters will be recognized with awards and will be invited to showcase their work at the December MARC U*STAR symposium.
Read also: Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering
- Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
- Stipend/Cost: No cost. There is no stipend information available.
- Internship Dates: June 17 - August 9
- Application Deadline: TBA
- Eligibility: High school juniors or graduated seniors who have committed to attend FIU or are accepted as FIU transfer students. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and hold an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.
7. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida Health
This 9-week summer internship at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute laboratories in Jupiter, Florida, is for rising juniors and seniors in Palm Beach and Martin County. This internship exposes you to biological and chemical research, offering insight into careers in academic research, drug discovery, biotechnology, or biomedical engineering. This program helps you develop your lab skills while you learn how to do research planning and data analysis, engage in experimental design work, and interact with scientists. Before you start the program, you must attend a one-week introductory course that covers techniques and applications standard in biomedical research. In addition to attending weekly seminars, you will be expected to submit a written scientific abstract at the end of the program and present your work!
- Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL.
- Cost/Stipend: No cost.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, will begin their junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school in the fall, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and are at least 16 years old by the first day of the program.
8. Observer Program at Baptist Health Academics
While not a traditional internship program, the Baptist Health Academics’ Observer Program is part of their externships and shadowing opportunities for students. This program allows you to shadow and observe Baptist Health clinicians during patient care activities. You can opt to shadow under the supervision of a Baptist Health employee or medical staff member, including physicians. This program allows you to participate in rounds, witness medical procedures, and attend teaching conferences. The program aims to give you an insider’s view of healthcare careers. The duration of the observership is determined by the clinician and can extend up to four weeks.
- Location: Baptist Health, South Florida, FL
- Stipend/Cost: No cost for high school students. No stipend is offered.
- Internship Dates: Decided by the clinician you’re paired with, can extend up to 4 weeks.
- Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round.
- Eligibility: Participants must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program.
National Internship Opportunities
Beyond Florida, numerous prestigious programs offer immersive experiences in biomedical research:
1. Ladder Internships
Ladder Internships is a fairly selective program, founded by Harvard alumni. It provides high school students with virtual internship experiences at startups and nonprofits across the world. Students can choose the field and industry they wish to work in based on their interests! Those interested in biomedical internships can choose Medicine/Healthcare as their area of interest while applying.
As an intern, you will to work on a real-world project that is relevant to your organization, and present your work at the end of the internship. What sets Ladder Internships apart is its emphasis on mentorship, giving students the chance to work alongside experienced professionals, engage with cutting-edge research, and contribute to meaningful projects.
Read also: Comprehensive Biomedical Engineering Guide
- Location: Virtual
- Cost: Starting at \$1,990. Financial assistance is available.
- Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10-20 hours per week, for 8-12 weeks. The internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
- Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
- Program dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a prestigious 8-week internship in which students get to collaborate one-on-one with a mentor, who will either be a Stanford graduate student or a postdoctoral fellow, and engage in research. The goal of the program is to help students develop an interest in biological sciences and medicine. Students can choose from 8 areas of research: immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics.
- Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California.
- Stipend: Students earn a minimum stipend of \$500. A stipend of \$2,500 or above is offered on a needs-based system. Housing and transportation costs are not covered.
- Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age can apply.
- Application deadline: February 24
- Program dates: June 10 -August 1
3. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
This is a summer research internship offered by Johns Hopkins’ Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The program aims to provide high schoolers with an immersive experience in brain medicine and research. It also seeks to offer students the chance to learn from biomedical research professionals and learn about the scientific method and how to conduct research responsibly. Students can choose between an 8-week in-person internship and a 5-week virtual program. Applications for the in-person program are more competitive than the virtual one, so those who aren’t selected for the former may be offered a chance to participate in the virtual program instead.
- Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, east Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, Maryland
- Stipend: The in-person program provides an hourly stipend and covers transportation, but not housing. The virtual program offers a \$500 scholarship to interns to support their education.
- Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (living in the US for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, Maryland for the in-person program) from underrepresented backgrounds are eligible to apply.
- Application deadline: March 1
- Program dates: June-August. The in-person program will last 8 weeks, while the virtual program will run for 5 weeks.
4. National Institute of Health High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
The HS-SIP is an 8-week program conducted at National Institute of Health (NIH) facilities. In this program, you will carry out cutting-edge research under the guidance and mentorship of world-renowned researchers. You can expect to find research opportunities in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences and explore basic, translational, and clinical research.
- Location: NIH research campuses in the USA including the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. No housing is offered to interns, but they get free parking.
- Stipend: A monthly stipend of \$2,300 is provided.
- Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and seniors living within 40 miles of the NIH Campus on which they will intern can apply.
- Application deadline: February 16
- Program dates: June to August (tentative, based on previous years)
5. Student Research Internship Program at Scripps Research Translational Institute
The Scripps Research Translational Institute offers internship programs to encourage participation in health sciences. Its Student Research Internship Program is a 10-week program offering translational medical research experience.
- Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California. The institute provides a few resources to help students find housing.
- Stipend: TBA
- Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply.
- Application deadline: March 30
- Program dates: You can choose from 2 sessions: June 3 - August 9, or June 17 - August 23
6. City of Hope Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
This 10-week program selects 100 students each year from over 2,000 applicants. The cohort is a mix of high school and undergraduate students. The program offers students the chance to work on their own biomedical research projects in their areas of interest under the mentorship of the City of Hope faculty.
- Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, California
- Stipend: \$4,000
- Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have completed chemistry and biology courses can apply.
- Application deadline: March 13
- Program dates: June 3 - August 9
7. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Fred Hutch is an independent, nonprofit organization and a cancer research institute. Its Summer High School Internship is an 8-week long, full-time program for rising high school seniors. The program is specifically designed for students from underrepresented communities, who are interested in learning about biomedical science and research.
- Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Stipend: A stipend is provided, details for which will be provided during the interview. You are required to arrange for your own transportation and accommodation. However, a free ORCA card will be offered to interns for commuting in the greater Seattle area.
- Eligibility: Rising high school seniors are eligible to apply.
- Application deadline: March 31
- Program dates: June 24 - August 16
8. Project Success by Harvard Medical School
This is a 6-week in-person paid internship program offered by the Harvard Medical School to high school students in Boston and Cambridge interested in pursuing careers in biomedicine. During the program, students will be placed and mentored in a Harvard Medical School lab or another facility of an affiliated institution.
- Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Stipend: Students will receive a stipend, but information on the amount is not available.
- Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Boston and Cambridge who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum GPA of 2.70 can apply. Students should have also completed biology, algebra, and chemistry.
- Application deadline: February 2
- Program dates: July 8 - August 16
9. High School Summer Internship at Magee-Womens Research Institute
Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) focuses on reproductive biology, women’s health, and infant health. Its High School Summer Internship Program is a 6-week, 240-hour opportunity for students to participate in basic, translational, or clinical biomedical research.
- Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Stipend: Students will be eligible for a \$1,800 stipend if their household qualifies for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program for Pennsylvania.
- Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old and have a permanent/primary residence in the local southwest Pennsylvania region can apply.
- Application deadline: January 31
- Program dates: 6-week summer internship beginning in June
10. The Wistar Institute's High School Program in Biomedical Research
The Wistar Institute’s High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research offers high school students the hands-on opportunity to take part in experimental research projects in areas such as cancer biology, genetics, vaccine development, bioinformatics, and infectious diseases.
- Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Stipend: \$1,000
- Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Additional Opportunities to Consider
- Medicine Encompassed: A student-run nonprofit offering virtual internships in various medical fields. Interns can contribute to writing, editing, sponsorships, graphic design, marketing, and resource creation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round.
- Lumiere Research Scholar Program: A selective, structured online research program that pairs high school students with full-time researchers to develop independent research projects in medicine and healthcare.
- Red Cross Bay Area Leadership Development Center (LDC): A four-day conference for youth ages 13-18 to develop core leadership skills and participate in workshops on disaster preparedness, international services, and more.
- National Human Genome Research Institute Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research: Immerses students in an environment devoted to understanding the underlying causes of human genetic disease.
- University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS): A four-week intensive training program designed to expose students to a broad range of molecular, microbiological, and cell biological techniques used in research labs.
- Medical College of Wisconsin Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM): Provides opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to stimulate their interest in careers in medicine, biomedical research, and allied health.
- J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) Internship Program: A highly sought-after opportunity designed to mentor and inspire the next generation of scientists.
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Volunteer Program: Puts students in touch with experts devoted to preventing, treating, and curing cancer.
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program: Introduces interested Texas rising seniors to a research environment and provides firsthand experience in career opportunities at the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment center.
- Washington University School of Medicine Young Scientist Program (YSP): Aims to attract historically excluded groups in science to scientific careers through paid summer research internships and personalized mentoring.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Summer Internship in Biomedical Research: Invites top high school students 17 years or older to conduct research under award-winning scientists and principal investigators.
- Salk Institute Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program: An eight-week paid internship for San Diego County residents to conduct research under a mentor in a Salk lab.
- Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE): Introduces Massachusetts high school students to the world of cancer research through placement in real research settings.
- Forsyth Institute Student Scholars Summer Internship Program: Pairs Massachusetts high schoolers with Forsyth faculty researchers as mentors.
- Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship: Provides knowledge of cardiothoracic surgical anatomy and physiology as well as surgical techniques.
- TGen Helios Scholars: A paid, eight-week summer internship program open to graduating seniors in Arizona.
Tips for Finding the Right Internship
- Identify your interests: Determine which areas of biomedical science you find most fascinating.
- Research programs: Look for internships that align with your interests and offer hands-on experience.
- Check eligibility requirements: Make sure you meet the age, GPA, and residency requirements for each program.
- Meet application deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit your materials on time.
- Craft a strong application: Highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and passion for biomedical science.
The Impact of Internships on College Admissions
Extracurriculars are extremely important in the admissions process, especially at selective schools. Extracurricular activities are divided into four tiers, with tier 1 representing the most exceptional and rare extracurriculars and tier 4 representing the most common activities admissions committees see. If you’re applying to highly selective schools, we recommend having at least a few tier 1 and 2 activities to set yourself apart from other applicants.
CollegeVine’s free admissions calculator can let you know how your internship impacts your chances! This tool uses factors like grades and test scores-along with other variables, like internships-to calculate your odds at hundreds of colleges.
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