12 Medical Internships for High School Students in NYC
If you’re a high schooler considering a career in medicine, you know it’s a big investment of time and effort. So doing an internship that will give you real-world experience in medicine would be a good place to start. Medical internships can give you practical insight into working in the field, and help you with your college applications.
Internships will allow you to explore your field of interest, expose you to the wide number of career options in medicine, and make informed decisions about their future academic and career paths.
These opportunities can provide first-hand experience of working in places such as hospitals, clinics, universities, and research institutes. In this blog, we’ve curated 12 medical internships for high school students in New York City.
Cost: Starting at $1990. Financial aid is available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Applications for the Summer II cohort close on June 26, 2024.
Program dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective internship program that offers ambitious high school students the chance to work with high-growth start-ups in a virtual setting. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries from medicine, health tech, tech/deep tech, AI/ML to marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. During the program, you will work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work at the end of the program.
Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other professional skills. You will also attend group training sessions with other interns in your cohort.
2. Mount Sinai Health System - Medical and Scientific Exploration Program (MSEP)
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost or stipend.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Internship Dates: June 20, 2024 - August 12, 2024.
Eligibility:
- Demonstrated interest in biomedical sciences
- Must attend NYC public school or charter school
- Must be an under-represented minority and/or economically disadvantaged
This program is intended to provide high school students interested in a pre-med college track with exposure to various health and medical careers. In this internship, you will interact with different clinical departments and laboratories within the Mount Sinai Health System on a weekly basis through rotations.
As a participant, you will learn the basics of cellular and molecular biology and how these concepts of human biology play out in various illnesses. You will take part in live video sessions covering various topics, such as leadership development exercises, college preparedness instruction, and introductions to health inequalities. Additionally, you will have access to the Levy Library network and be able to play entertaining and instructive virtual games like Jeopardy and Kahoot.
3. Weill Cornell Medicine - The Anita Mesi General Internal Medicine Summer Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is offered.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Internship Dates: June 27, 2024 - August 5, 2024.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors.
This program for general internal medicine internships was started in 2018 by Anita Mesi, MBA. The internship aims to familiarize high school, college, and graduate students with career options in academic medicine and general internal medicine.
The program provides mentorship from teachers and staff based on the student’s interests. Moreover, it allows students to gain career exposure within their fields of interest! Previously, students have chosen subjects such as cancer, congestive heart failure, hypertension, arthritis, and home health care, all with an emphasis on diversity and health equity.
4. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital - Lang Youth Medical Program
Cost: No cost. A stipend is offered.
Application Deadline: Applications close in April.
Internship Dates: July 5, 2024 - August 12, 2024.
Eligibility: High school students interested in healthcare careers.
This program offers hands-on experience, workshops, and mentorship in various healthcare professions. Participants will shadow professionals, engage in clinical rotations, and attend seminars.
Lang Youth cultivates an environment that helps enhance skills and prepares students for academic and personal success through health science education with a hands-on science curriculum that interweaves human anatomy, physiology, pathology, and public health.
5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend of $1200 is offered.
Application Deadline: Applications close in February.
Internship Dates: June 27, 2024 - August 22, 2024.
Eligibility: Students must meet the following criteria
- Completion of at least the 9th grade by June 2024
- Must be 14 or older by June 27, 2024
- A genuine interest in science and laboratory research
- 3.5 GPA in science subjects
This eight-week research internship will introduce you to biological and computational research. Each participant will be paired with a mentor—a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or research technician— who will serve as their supervisor and guide for the duration of the program. Your research project will be presented at a poster session when the program comes to a close. In addition to the scientific training, the program gives you access to principal investigator luncheons, training sessions, and tours of MSKCC's cutting-edge facilities.
Along with an emphasis on laboratory or computational-based research projects, this program also offers PI luncheons, student-led journal clubs, postdoctoral-led journal clubs, laboratory visits, team-building exercises, and social networking events.
6. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai – CEYE High School Summer Program
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is offered.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March. You can find the details here.
Internship Dates: July 1, 2024 - August 8, 2024.
Eligibility:
- Must be a rising high school senior (current 11th grader at the time of application)
- Minimum GPA of 85 (strongly preferred)
- Must be an under-represented minority and/or economically disadvantaged
This program relies on the real-world classroom of the Mount Sinai Health System, with plenty of activities and interactions with faculty and staff. As a CEYE student, you maintain a logbook, take pre- and post-tests, and complete a final paper and presentation.
The HSSEP offers a comprehensive summer program focusing on medicine and healthcare. Students engage in clinical rotations, shadowing experiences, and seminars covering various medical specialties. They also participate in research projects and attend workshops on topics such as medical ethics and patient care. The final outcome includes a research presentation and reflection paper. While competitive, this internship provides valuable exposure to the medical field and opportunities for mentorship.
7. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is provided.
Application Deadline: While the deadline has not been announced, applications typically open in the fall.
Internship Dates: July 10, 2024 - August 18, 2024.
Eligibility:
· Must be sophomores or juniors in high school.
· Applicants must reside in New York City, but preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
If neuroscience interests you and you're interested in the pre-med track, the Zuckerman Institute's Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) is a terrific chance for you. Through this program, a Columbia neuroscientist will be paired with you to act as a mentor and guide on a particular research topic. You will receive hands-on instruction in laboratory research over a seven-week period that consists of weekend training courses in the winter and spring and a full-time internship in the summer. You will learn research methods used in laboratories.
Every fall, the application process opens through partner colleges. During your internship, you will get a stipend. After that, you will have the chance to get more involved through a paid Merit Fellowship, which will allow you to work in your mentor's lab for longer, paid internships in future BRAINYAC cohorts, and access to an alumni network that will include trips and special events.
8. Columbia University – Yes in The Heights Program
Cost: None.
Application Deadline: Applications close in February.
Internship Dates: Dates are not specified.
Eligibility:
- Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible.
- Eligible students are a part of an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic minority group, underrepresented in cancer research (e.g., first-generation college student), or economically disadvantaged.
- Students must be in good standing at their current school and demonstrate a high aptitude and interest in science.
- Trainees should be committed to 8 weeks which are to occur during the summer.
The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center offers summer internships to high school and undergraduate students that aim to expand the number of young people from underrepresented and under-resourced backgrounds pursuing STEM careers.
YES Student Equity Scholars collaborate with internationally recognized researchers and physicians with an emphasis on cancer to obtain practical experience in cancer research.
A formal orientation, practical scientific training, instruction in academic etiquette and professionalism, creation of an Individual Development Plan, and the mandatory submission of a scientific summary of their work are all included in the 8–12 week program.
9. The Rockefeller University - Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Cost: None.
Application Deadline: Applications close in February.
Internship Dates: June 24, 2024 - August 8, 2024
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors in high school who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program.
The Summer Science Research Program at Rockefeller University offers students the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in biomedical science. You will work under the guidance of faculty mentors, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and presenting your findings. You will also attend seminars, journal clubs, and networking events to enhance your scientific knowledge and skills. At the end of the program, you will present your research and a written report. While competitive, this internship provides valuable exposure to research and opportunities for mentorship.
10. NYU High School Medical Ethics Internship
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is offered,
Application Deadline: Applications close in March.
Internship Dates: July 8 - 19, 2024
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in public health and healthcare disparities.
If you're a junior or senior in high school and have a passion for public policy, social justice, or healthcare, the two-week paid internship offered by the High School Bioethics Project could be a good opportunity for you. In this internship, you will interact with professionals in a variety of industries throughout this internship, such as biotech, patient advocacy, public health, healthcare, and law.
Your duties will involve reading and discussing pertinent articles, taking part in presentations, contributing to discussions, and writing reflection papers for ten to fifteen hours a week. You will also offer program feedback and turn in a brief report on a subject you learned about at the end of your internship.
11. Columbia University Medical Center – State Pre-College Enrichment Program (SPREP)
Cost/Stipend: None.
Application Deadline: Applications close in May.
Internship Dates: Summer Session: July | Academic Year: October to May
Eligibility:
- Underrepresented and economically disadvantaged high school students
- 7-12th graders who maintain at least an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science
This program is ideal for students in grades 7 through 12 who want to work in medicine or similar STEM professions. The program aims to offer educational opportunities to students from historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities in science, technology, mathematics, health, and licensed professions.
Courses in the program include but are not limited to, anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, brain & cognitive science, physics, psychology, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, and statistics. Along with individualized academic and college counseling services, field trips, college tours, and enrichment activities, the program offers courses on job development and college readiness.
While this may not be structured like a traditional internship, it can be a solid choice. In fact, you could find yourself in an internship-style research program because students admitted to S-PREP are eligible to apply for summer research programs for high school students run by the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.
12. Fordham University Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Cost: No cost. A stipend may be offered.
Application Deadline: Applications close in March.
Internship Dates: July 8, 2024 - August 1, 2024.
Eligibility: New York State resident students in grades 7 to 12 must meet one of two eligibility criteria to be considered for the Fordham Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
- Belong to a minority group that is underrepresented in science, OR
- Meet income eligibility requirements established by New York state, if the applicant is not a member of an underrepresented community
This program is designed to prepare economically disadvantaged and underrepresented students for college and careers in STEM fields, health careers, and other licensed professions.
You will take part in challenging class activities as a STEP scholar. Students in high school will receive assistance with financial aid applications as well as college advice. Activities in the program include laboratory exercises, special lectures and workshops, career activities like field trips, aptitude testing, and conferences. The program also includes cultural activities for students to get to know each other.
While not a traditional internship, Fordham’s STEP gives you great exposure to potential careers in the medical field and their laboratory exercises and field trips give you an insight into the real-world applications of STEM.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.