12 Medical Internships for High School Students in Miami 

For high school students keen on pursuing a career in the medical field, internships can be a crucial stepping stone. Internships offer significant real-world learning experiences, while also giving high school students a distinct advantage in the college admissions process. 

Universities seek applicants who demonstrate a proactive approach and a genuine commitment to their chosen field. From hands-on clinical roles and research-intensive lab positions to hospital-based observation and cutting-edge AI-driven projects, internships demonstrate a commitment to career growth beyond the classroom.

This blog features 12 of the best internship opportunities for Miami high school students interested in medicine, healthcare, technology, and policy.

1. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual.
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks.
Application Deadline: The upcoming winter cohort deadline is November 24, 2024. The program runs in the fall, winter, spring and summer.
Dates: 8-week program that runs in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. The winter cohort starts on December 16, 2024.
Cost: $2490-$7400. Financial aid is offered.

Ladder Internships is a selective internship program designed to bridge the gap between ambitious high school students and dynamic organizations. By pairing students with innovative startups and established nonprofits, Ladder cultivates a highly unique, virtual learning environment. Internships are offered in a number of industries, including healthcare, technology, business, media, and environmental science. For medicine aspirants, the program's partnerships with industry leaders such as JuneBrain and IMPD provide valuable learning opportunities at the intersections of healthcare research and AI. 

During the 8-week program, you’ll make tangible contributions to your host organizations’ agendas, while gaining invaluable professional insights and experience. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, both within the company and through Ladder's coaching program, you will develop a comprehensive skill set in your respective domains. The program also emphasizes the cultivation of essential soft skills beyond technical competencies.

2. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual.
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program. Students with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project are preferred.
Application Dates: Applications for 2024 are closed, but typically they open in January, and close in March.
Dates: This is a 2-week program usually held in June.
Cost/Stipend: None.

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging Summer Research Internship is a comprehensive internship program designed to support the next generation of leaders at the forefront of AI in healthcare. During the program, you will engage in a dynamic curriculum that encompasses introductory and advanced lectures on the fundamentals of AI in healthcare. Under the guidance of experienced Stanford student leads and expert researchers, you’ll dive into into hands-on research projects, fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and diverse problem-solving skills. 

The program features interactive sessions with distinguished guests from academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. On successfully completing the program, you will receive a certificate. For those seeking to further their research work, an extended independent research internship opportunity is also available.

3. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship

Location: Miami, FL.
Eligibility: High school juniors who will be rising seniors during the internship period and are authorized to work in the U.S. Check out these application requirements for more information. 
Application Dates: Applications for 2024 are closed but typically open in December.
Dates: This is an 8-week program that runs during the summer.
Stipend: This is a paid internship; however, the amount is not specified.

The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at the University of Miami offers an opportunity for high-achieving students eager to explore biological and computational sciences. This rigorous 8-week research program will immerse you in a hands-on experience, allowing you to collaborate closely with a staff member, post-doctoral researcher, or faculty member. As a participant, you will engage in various research areas, including genomics and computational biology, gaining invaluable insights and practical skills. 

This comprehensive experience aims to refine your research capabilities and presentation skills, preparing you for future scientific challenges.

4. John Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Location: Virtual or in-person in Baltimore, MD.
Eligibility: Virtual — High school juniors and seniors from all over the U.S. | In-person — High school students attending schools in Baltimore City only.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in December 2024.
Dates: 8 weeks between June and August (in-person) | 5 weeks between July and August (virtual). 
Stipend: In-person interns receive an hourly stipend | Virtual interns receive $500.

This program provides an opportunity for students to explore the fields of neuroscience and neurology through a highly integrated approach. This program offers participants hands-on mentorship, helping them hone their critical thinking abilities pertaining to brain research advancements.

The internship offers an 8-week in-person program and a 5-week virtual option, with financial aid offered for both options. For students based in Miami, the virtual program serves as a strong platform to work on educational presentations, engage in dynamic discussions with leading scientists, and master essential laboratory techniques and experiments. Additionally, the program includes weekly personal and professional development sessions, providing students with guidance for their future academic and career trajectories.

5. FIU Center for Translational Science High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Miami, FL.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors enrolled in St. Lucie County Public Schools.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are closed. Program information is usually available through your school.
Dates: This is a 5-week program that runs during the summer.
Cost/Stipend: There’s currently no information regarding stipend or cost. 

The FIU Center for Translational Science High School Summer Internship Program is an opportunity for students to delve into the world of biomedical research across a range of specialized areas. These domains include aging and wellness, brain injury and spinal cord injury, drug discovery and delivery, heart and pulmonary physiology, inflammation, infection and immunity, mitochondria and metabolism, and neuroscience.

Throughout the 5-week program, you will engage in comprehensive scientific and research processes. You will work at state-of-the-art laboratories alongside leading scientists in the field, gaining firsthand experience in cutting-edge research techniques. You will also have the chance to investigate complex scientific hypotheses in depth. Upon completing the program, you will receive a certificate of participation, a letter of recommendation from the Program Director, and accumulate over 100 volunteer hours.

6. FIU’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health

Location: Miami, FL.
Eligibility: High school juniors from Florida who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program. Interns must also demonstrate a strong interest in cardiovascular-related research and an unweighted 3.0 GPA.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are closed. Keep an eye on their page for the 2025 session. 
Dates: This is an 8-week program that runs between June and August in the summer. 
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available regarding stipend or cost. 

FIU’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health offers an opportunity for local high school students interested in cardiology and allied health sciences. Over an intensive 8-week period, you will immerse yourself in scientific methodologies and research processes, enhancing your skills in research, analysis, writing, and presentation.

Before the internship begins, you will be paired with an FIU faculty research mentor and will have to finish at least 5 online safety courses. During the program, you will participate in weekly professional and academic development workshops and engage in intern meetings that include journal clubs and case study discussions. The program culminates with you submitting research abstracts and presenting your findings at a formal awards ceremony. Exceptional presenters are honored with awards and invited to showcase their research at the December MARC U*STAR symposium.

7. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital – Teen Academic Year Program

Location: Miami, FL | Homestead, FL | Jupiter, FL | Cooper City, FL | Virtual options are also available.
Eligibility: M-DCPS High School junior or senior students who are enrolled in the M-DCPS Academic Internship program and have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or more and an excellent school attendance record.
Application Deadline: Details are available on the M-DCPS page.
Dates: This program is open throughout the year between August to May. A commitment of 5-10 hours per week is expected in a virtual, hybrid, or in-person capacity.
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available regarding cost or stipend. 

Nicklaus Children's Hospital, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, offers a year-long internship for high school juniors and seniors from August to May. This program will provide you with hands-on experience in healthcare administration, allowing you to gain practical skills and insights into the field. You will get to engage in various administrative tasks and projects, developing abilities such as project management, data analysis, and effective communication. 

The internship not only enhances your understanding of healthcare operations but also helps you earn academic credit. This opportunity bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional experience.

8. University of Miami Health Center – High School, Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

Location: Miami, FL.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in February or March. 
Dates: This is a summer program, and the specific dates of the internship will depend on the mentor assigned to you. 
Stipend: Most of the Sylvester Research Programs offer a stipend. 

University of Miami’s Health Center provides high school students with a lucrative research opportunity to gain research experience in cancer research at their Sylvester Research Programs during the summer months. 

As a student interested in pursuing a research opportunity, you must review the Sylvester Research Programs in Cancer Control, Cancer Epigenetics, Tumor Biology, and Translational and Clinical Oncology to understand the center’s ongoing projects and your research interest alignments. You will need to identify a faculty member within one of these programs who is willing to be your mentor and guide you through intensive medical research. 

9. National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Healthcare

Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12.
Application Deadline: Rolling | TBA for 2025.
Dates: 9 days during June and July (tentatively).
Cost: $3,895 (funding available).

The National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Healthcare is a residential program offered at several universities, including the University of Miami. This program will allow you to explore a career in medicine through hands-on learning. 

You will get to practice surgical skills, collaborate with other students to diagnose patients, and debate public health issues. You will also benefit from guest speakers who provide real-world perspectives and insider knowledge of the medical field. Once you’ve completed the program, you will also be able to take an online college credit course taught by American University faculty. From learning how to provide emergency care to planning public health campaigns, the NSLC is a unique opportunity for those interested in a future career in medicine. However, please note that while admission is rolling, slots do fill up quickly.  

10. Stanford’s STHEM: Summer Internship

Location: Virtual.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, or students who are at least 14 years old at the start of the program.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February or March.
Dates: This internship is 8 weeks long and usually runs June-August.
Cost/Stipend: There is a $50 application fee. Need-based stipends are offered. 

This program offers valuable exposure to research across diverse SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. As a participant, you will engage in multifaceted projects that blend engineering, linguistics, psychology, and technology, among other disciplines. Under the guidance of Stanford faculty and students, you will develop essential skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, and research techniques. As an intern, you will be expected to commit 30-40 hours per week to remote research. 

In the past, interns have tackled cutting-edge topics, like the impact of virtual reality in surgeries, the convergence of astronomy and art, and initiatives to close the gender gap in engineering. This immersive experience fosters a deep understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration and equips students with practical skills crucial for addressing complex real-world challenges.


11. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)

Location: Virtual.
Eligibility: Applicants must be eligible to work in the US and must reside in one of the states where APA is registered as an employer. Applicants must be enrolled in a part-time institution, but if you’re the age of 18, you must submit an official District of Columbia work permit.
Application Deadline: This depends on the specifics of the internship. They offer year-round internships (spring, summer, fall, winter). 
Dates: This varies based on the internship.
Stipend: Both paid and unpaid internships are available. Unpaid positions usually offer academic credit.

The American Psychological Association (APA) offers virtual internship opportunities for students aspiring to careers in psychology and psychiatry. As an intern, you will engage in a range of tasks that align with both the organization's needs and your interests and skills. Opportunities include supporting research surveys, contributing writing to web-based projects, and assisting with administrative tasks and special projects.

The APA provides a variety of internship roles across policy, research, communications, and financial services. You will participate in team meetings, workshops, and discussions, which will help you develop highly relevant and transferable skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, project management, and teamwork. 

12. Medicine Encompassed Student Internships

Location: Virtual.
Eligibility: All high school students (grades 9-12).
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply here!
Dates: They accept applications throughout the year on a rolling basis.
Cost/Stipend: There is no information on costs or whether a stipend is provided.

Medicine Encompassed, a student-run nonprofit, provides year-round internships for students aiming to advance their careers in medicine, biology, and STEM fields. As an intern, you will have the option to apply for general roles, such as writers, editors, and resource creators, or to join specialized departments, including sponsorships, partnerships, graphic design, marketing, and social media. 

This experience offers a deep dive into nonprofit operations, equipping you with a diverse skill set and a comprehensive understanding of the intersections between healthcare, technology, communications, and organizational management. You will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects, network with industry professionals, and develop practical skills and specializations.

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, with a large number of them in tech. 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.

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