17 Medical Internships for High School Students | PAID

Considering a career in medicine? It is highly advisable you try out some medical internships in high school before you commit to a pre-med track.

Actually, most high school students who hope to go into medicine end up changing their major during college when the pre-med courses become too challenging.

However, we don’t need to tell you that med school is hard. It will take so many years and thousands of dollars. So, it’ll be a great idea to first dip your toes in the water before you dive in fully.

This guide will explain all about a medical internship, the experiences open to you as a high school student, and a list of medical internships for high school students.

Basically, a medical internship is a focal point at the point of transition of the medical student to a physician. From its origins in hospital apprenticeships, this experience of professionalization and initiation into direct patient responsibility has followed an erratic path.

Modern US internships began in the late 19th century, and the evolution of many of their characteristics has been determined more by socio-economic-political issues than by consideration of educational objectives.

The recent move to incorporate internships into residency programs is presently being reconsidered because there is a new appreciation of the role that the internship experience can play in the professional maturation of the physician.

What is a Medical Internship?

Basically, a Medical internship is the first year of training after medical school. It is more commonly called the first year of residency or PGY-1 (Post-Graduate Year-1). The following years are called PGY-2, PGY-3, etc.

Internships and other pre-college medical programs offer experiences such as working in a lab, conducting trials, gaining hands-on clinical experience, and so much more.

You’ll learn in different settings including universities, hospitals and clinics, and research facilities.

However, for high school students, a medical internship will refer to a period of training and learning under medical experts that will help them get accustomed to what they should expect in medical school.

Who is a Medical Intern?

A medical intern is a fresh medical school graduate who is in his first year of post-graduate on-the-job training. Interns work in hospitals, where they often rotate between different departments so they can have knowledge of different medical specialties.

In addition, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, ACGME, which is the organization that certifies post-graduate medical training programs, now refers to interns as first-year residents or Postgraduate Year 1, or PGY-1.

The terms are used mutually in many training hospitals and other settings.

See: 20 High School Summer Program

How Much Do Interns Make?

Medical interns, who are students in training at a hospital to become a doctor or specialists, receive a modest salary of $35,000, which is funded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (largely Medicare).

How Long Does an Internship Program Last?

Typically, an internship program lasts the length of the academic institution’s semester or quarter. Hence, many universities operate on a semester system where each semester lasts between 14 to 16 weeks.

However, the fall semester usually starts in August or September and runs through the beginning of December while the spring semester starts in January or February and runs through May or June.

So, many schools also offer a summer term that lasts about 10-12 weeks in length.

Check this out: 11 Cheapest Medical Schools in Texas | 2024

Medical Internships for High School Students Abroad.

The more physicians see and experience, the better doctors they become. Success in the medical field is all about combining education with extensive exposure to a broad range of medical issues that impact various people from all walks of life.

By completing a medical internship abroad, striving doctors can gain valuable exposure to the medical field in a setting they likely won’t find in their home country.

International internships look fantastic from both a professional and philanthropic standpoint, therefore, a medical internship abroad is something every medical student should seriously consider.

Here are medical internships this 2024:

#1. Medical Immersion Summer Academy (MISA)

At MISA, you’ll study all about healthcare through hands-on skills training (EKG, Suturing, CPR, Splinting, and taking Vitals), shadowing, mentorship, and clinical immersion.

You’ll also partake in VIP lunches with health professionals, examine patients and medical procedures, and involve in “Step into the shoes of an MD” skill and patient-case workshops and discussions with physicians.

The five-day program is accessible to students in grades 9-12 in the Bay Area and costs $900. You must be at least 15 by the program start. Apply January 4–March 8.

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#2. National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Healthcare

NSLC gives high school students a setting to learn about controversial medical issues, today’s health care difficulties, and excellent scientific research in areas such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. The program is offered at:

• American University
• Georgia Tech
• Harvard Medical School
• Northwestern University
• Rice University
• UC Berkeley
• UCLA
• University of Washington
• Vanderbilt University
• University of Miami

Students will conduct clinical rounds, learn medical examination and surgical techniques, and partake in diagnosis and medication while solving the mystery of a fatal outbreak sweeping the nation.

You’ll also have the chance to take an online college-credit course taught by American University faculty after finishing the program.

Each campus gives two nine-day summer sessions. The cost is $3,195 ($3,295 in San Francisco and Chicago and $3,495 in Boston). Admission is rolling, and slots fill up fast.

You are guaranteed admission as long as space is available if you receive an invitation through being nominated by your school or a program alum or are recognized by a talent search and may also apply. Scholarships are available.

#3. Penn Medicine Summer Program for High School Students

Spend four weeks during June and July at The University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine learning from extremely accredited Penn faculty.

Through interactive lectures and labs, you’ll learn about featured topics, including transplant surgery, emergency medicine, cancer, resuscitation science, kidney disease, and sports medicine.

In the afternoons, you will engage in hands-on virtual and simulated experiences at Penn’s Clinical Simulation Center and other sites. You’ll also be able to witness live surgery in Penn’s surgical amphitheater.

Juniors and seniors ages 16-18 may partake in this residential medical program. The cost is $7,995. Applications close on March 8, 2024.

#4. The Center of Excellence High School Summer Enrichment Science Academy (HSSESA)

Growing juniors and seniors have the chance to take part in HSSESA’s six-week curriculum concentrating on science-related subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Medical Terminology, Mathematics, Computer Science, and career exposure in clinical settings.

Students learn in an academic setting five days per week studying essential material needed for a pharmacy or related health major or program.

The program has a mission of supporting young, underrepresented minority students to seek a career in Pharmacy and related professions, as well as to acquire mentoring relationships with health professionals and graduate students.

For this reason, students who are underrepresented minorities and/or financially disadvantaged are given preference in the admissions process. Students who live in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia are also given special consideration.

The program is free to attend and covers most costs, including housing, meals, and activities.

#5. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

In this five-week residential program, low-income, underrepresented high school sophomores and juniors who live in Northern and Central California engage and observe medical experiences, such as faculty lectures, laboratories, college admissions guidance, mentoring, and hands-on medical activities.

Students take part in an anatomy course and lab at the medical school, an internship at Stanford Health Care, college admissions workshops, a research project, behind-the-scenes tours of Stanford Health Care, and more.

The program runs from June–July and is tuition-free. Applications are due February 13, 2019.

#6. Della Keats Health Science Summer Program

Offered through the University of Alaska WWAMI School of Medical Education, the Delia Keats program exists to support high school students’ interest in medical professions.

High school juniors and seniors in Alaska may partake in this four-week program in July and August, studying about careers in healthcare and earning an introduction to college life.

To engage, students must come from an ethnic minority or economically disadvantaged background, live in rural Alaska, be first-generation Americans and the first in their families to attend college, and/or speak English as a second language.

The program is free to attend and gives a small allowance to cover food and other expenses. Housing is provided.

#7. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program

Through the Rheumatology and Immunology Laboratories at Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, high school juniors and seniors and first- and second-year college undergraduates may engage in an eight-week medical internship.

The 12 selected students work in leading research and clinical laboratories under the supervision of respected scientists at Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

The internship lasts eight weeks, and students work 40 hours/week in basic laboratory (bench) research or clinical epidemiological/translational (patient-oriented) research.

The program offers a $1,500 stipend to high school participants.

#8. Center for Disease Control (CDC) Museum Disease Detective Camp

At CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, rising high school juniors and seniors have the chance to spend five days learning about public health.

Topics vary and may include public health interventions, global health, infectious disease, chronic disease, injury prevention, data analysis, surveys, school wellness programs, violence prevention, environmental health, emergency readiness, outbreaks, scientific communication, laboratory technology, disease surveillance, epidemiology, and public health law.

Activities also differ and may include recreated outbreaks, mock press conferences, environmental and global health activities, a laboratory session, an introduction to chronic disease surveillance, public health law, and short lectures from world-renowned CDC scientists.

The application is on from January 25–March 29, 2019. The program is free to attend and open to Atlanta residents, who must provide their own housing. There are three sessions in June and July.

#9. Summer Child Health Research Internship

Held at Children’s Hospital Colorado/the Unversity of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus, this medical internship is open to improving high school seniors, college students, and first-year medical students.

Students partake in a lecture research series as well as present their own research at the completion of the program, as well as work with mentors from the Department of Pediatrics.

Participants receive a stipend of $3,500 to assist with travel and housing costs. The internship runs for two months from June to August, and applications are due February 1, 2019.

#10. Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program

Participants in this eight-week program are matched with mentors and work 40 hours/week on projects including laboratory-based research, computer-based database research, or clinical research.

They also attend weekly workshops on topics concerning getting admission to graduate and professional programs of study.

The program operates from June–July. Students must have finished their junior year of high school or be undergraduate college students who have finished 24 credits. The application closes on February 1, 2019. Participants receive a stipend.

#11. High School Senior Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Basically, high school students will work with a coach in one of 10 pediatric clinical specialties in this eight-week program for Cincinnati-area graduating seniors.

Participants also partake in group activities including an afternoon hands-on training session with computerized simulated pediatric patients in the SIM Center, a Summer Intern Alumni lunch, and a presentation by the assistant dean for admission at UC College of Medicine offering advice for preparing for Medical School admission.

The medical internship program culminates in a graduation party featuring student presentations on their experiences.

Students work 20+ hours/week and are compensated at a rate of $8.55/hour. The program starts in June, and applications are due on March 18, 2019.

#12. Summer Medical Academy

Hosted by Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego, Summer Medical Academy gives lectures and interactive discussions about topics in healthcare, hands-on skills clinics, career panels, team-building activities to learn new techniques and get to know future colleagues, and more.

There are two two-week programs in June and July. Students also partake in group projects about public health challenges.

Open to students in grades 9-12 who are ages 15-19, the program costs $2,450 to attend. Partial scholarships are available. Apply by February 22, 2019.

#13. Kendall Smith Healthcare Exploration Scholarship Program

Sponsored by the Service League of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, scholarship participants spend six weeks in the summer involved in a medical area of their choice in a hospital environment.

Students share a presentation about their experience in front of staff and guests at the program’s end.

You must be a junior or senior at the time of applying and submit your application by April. Proposed participants are accepted on the basis of health career interest, participation in extracurricular activities, and scholastic achievement.

Thirteen $600 scholarships are available, and recipients must work a minimum of 20 hours/week.

#14. Health Care Career Exploration Camp

This free program for Nebraska- or Iowa-area students in grades 10-12 allows participants to learn from specialists in areas such as:

• Athletic Training
• Clinical Dietetics
• Clinical Engineering
• Neuropsychology
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Speech and Language Pathology
• Surgical Technology
• Radiation Therapy
• Radiologic Technology
• Respiratory Care

The program is offered at six CHI Health locations in Nebraska. The application opens in February; admission is rolling. Space is limited by location, and past participants are waitlisted to give new students the chance to attend.

#15. Lifespan Summer Youth Employment Program

This eight-week paid summer employment experience at a Lifespan hospital or Lifespan Corporate Services is open to people ages 16-19 living in Providence, Mount Hope, or Newport, Rhode Island.

You must have a valid CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) license and will be placed in one of the following areas:

• Radiology
• Physical Therapy
• Cardiology
• Nursing
• Transport
• Central Processing
• Human Resources
• Food and Nutrition
• Respiratory Care

The program also gives career counseling after graduation, and some participants are given employment after finishing it. Participants earn a salary of $10.10/hour.

Applications are open from November–January, and you must partake in an interview if offered one. The program runs from June–August.

#16. Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jump Start Program – College Park, Maryland

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jump Start Program opens its doors to 50 students for one whole week. It centers on biomedical science research on the University of Maryland campus.

This is a STEM program located in College Park, MD. Its main focus for the upcoming 2024 summer is the exploration of using molecular and cellular techniques to diagnose diseases and treat them. Students take part in seminars and workshops throughout the week.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jump Start Program applicants must be high school juniors and seniors to compete. You must have completed AP coursework in Chemistry and Biology prior to applying.

Payment Information: The application fee is $200 per applicant.

#17. McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences Summer Internship – Great Falls, Montana

McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences Summer Internship is open to both high school and undergraduate students. This 8-week program is provided by the McLaughlin nonprofit organization which conducts neurogenetics research.

Learn skills you can use in your medical field of study related to degenerative nerve diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The McLaughlin Research Institute summer research program is located in Great Falls, MT. It was created for high school students wanting to become doctors.

Some extra-curricular activities you’ll partake in include:

• Conduct investigational science
• Attend seminars and workshops
• Participate in lab research projects

FAQs On Medical Internships For High School Students

Conclusion- Medical Internships for High School Students

If you’re considering a career in medicine, we highly recommend you try out some medical experiences in high school before you commit to a pre-med track.

However, we don’t need to tell you that med school is hard. It will take so many years and thousands of dollars. Therefore, it’ll be a great idea to first dip your toes in the water before you dive in fully.

References- Medical Internships for High School Students

• CollegeVine- 15
• MyCollegeGuide
• https://blog.prepscholar.com/medical-programs-for-high-school-students
• Wikipedia
• https://www.projects-abroad.org/medical-internships-high-school-students/

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