12 Online Medical Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student thinking about a career in medicine, securing an internship in the field is a great way to get started. If you’d rather not travel to a new city or commute to an office for your internship, we’ve got you covered! In this blog, we’ve listed 12 best online medical internships for high schoolers.
Online medical internships provide an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience, explore potential career paths, and build essential skills without going anywhere. Internships not only enhance your college applications but also help you explore new avenues in your chosen field. Whether you’re interested in pursuing clinical, non-clinical, or research internships, they offer a flexible and accessible way to gain early practical experience, network with medical professionals, and enrich your academic perspective.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 12 online medical internships for high school students spanning various fields such as neuroscience, health tech, epidemiology, psychology, veterinary medicine, scientific writing, genetics, and more!
1. Ladder Internships—Healthcare and Medicine Track
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 5-15 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer cohort (regular admission 1): April 14, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission 2): May 12, 2024.
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year. The summer 2024 cohort starts on June 3 and runs till August.
Cost: Starts at $1,990 (financial aid available).
Ladder Internships, a fairly selective program founded by Harvard alumni, pairs high school students with startups and nonprofits around the world for virtual internships. You can choose the field you wish to work in, from a wide range of industries, including technology, health tech, healthcare, medicine, machine learning, AI, computer science, finance, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, media, journalism, and more. As an intern, you will work on projects that contribute to the startup or nonprofit’s larger mission, and present your work at the end of the program. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns. You will be paired with a manager at the startup and with a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor.
Students interested in medicine can opt for the healthcare and medicine track on their application form. Some relevant host startups include Softenmind, IPMD and JuneBrain.
2. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS): Virtual Experience
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented populations anywhere in the United States can participate in the 5-week virtual summer research experience.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March every year.
Dates: July-August (5 weeks)
Stipend: $500
The John Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a highly prestigious opportunity for high school students. Apart from its in-person internship, the program also supports an entirely virtual experience for students interested in the neurological sciences. It particularly looks to host interns from underrepresented communities.
As part of the virtual internship, students will be able to participate in activities like educational presentations, basic laboratory experiments and techniques, mentorship training, professional development training, and networking.
Collaborative projects, discussions, and final presentations are some crucial aspects of the program. You can check out the past projects here.
3. Stanford University’s SHTEM Summer Internships
Eligibility: The applicants must be current high school juniors or seniors at the time of application and at least 14 years old by June 17.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February every year.
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship, but stipends may be provided based on financial need.
This program is aimed at providing high school and community college students early exposure to cutting-edge research in an academic environment as well as introducing students to the diversity of research topics. Hosted by the prestigious Stanford University, this internship offers a unique chance for students to explore diverse subjects remotely. You will spend most of the time conducting research from where you are located. You can anticipate a commitment of 30-40 hours per week, guided by Stanford's renowned faculty and industry experts who provide valuable insights into the evolving tech landscape.
Teams can choose to work on research projects in various areas, including biology, neuroscience, psychology, the science of information and communication, technology, computer science, the arts, and more. At the end of the progra,, students will present their projects their teams.
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over 14 years old with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
Dates: June 17 - 28, 2024
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship. Students will receive a certificate upon completion and the potential to extend their internship.
This 2-week virtual internship by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging is a solid opportunity if you’re interested in exploring the technical and clinical aspects of AI in healthcare.
Stanford AIMI aims to advance AI research in medicine for the public good. Its summer research internship can be highly useful for students interested in working at the intersection of health and technology. The virtual internship includes introductory and technical lectures on AI in healthcare, mentoring activities with researchers and students, social activities, hands-on group sessions for research projects, and virtual Career Lunch and Learns with guest speakers from academia, non-profits, industries, and the government. If you’re interested, you can even opt for an extended independent research internship opportunity
This internship is extremely competitive and accepts only around 20 students each year.
5. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) by George Mason University
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old by June 18, 2024 can apply. Interns for “wet lab” internships should be at least 16 years old.
Application Deadline: The applications typically close at the beginning of February.
Dates: June 18, 2024 - August 9, 2024 (8 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: There is a $25 application fee which can be waived based on financial need. This is an unpaid internship.
George Mason University’s ASSIP offers several remote internship opportunities that allow students to work one-on-one with faculty researchers at the university as well as its collaborating institutions. Students will receive access to cutting-edge technology and software to conduct their research projects. Interns will also be able to develop scientific writing and communication skills and explore career choices.
The internship provides project opportunities in numerous fields, including proteomics and molecular medicine, biochemistry, drug discovery, neuroscience, biology, disease diagnostics, women’s health issues, infectious disease and epidemiology, tissue repair and regeneration, and lots more.
6. ASPIRE by the Johns Hopkins University
Eligibility: Students who are high school juniors or seniors with a minimum 2.8 GPA in the Washington-Baltimore area, at least 15 years old by June 1, and U.S. citizens
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: June 25, 2024 - August 22, 2024 (summer session) | September-May (academic year session) (Dates TBA).
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
The ASPIRE program pairs high school students with staff members at the laboratory and allows them to work on a collaborative project, solve problems, and learn technical and interpersonal skills. ASPIRE offers both in-person and virtual experiences, with virtual internships being 100% online apart from in-person onboarding, equipment returns, and troubleshooting.
Interns will be asked to choose their area of interest while applying, but are not allowed to select their mentor or the project they want to work on. Students interested in pursuing medicine may opt for the biology internship to receive relevant projects. However, the biology placements are highly competitive and are more focused on biological and biomedical research than pure medicine.
7. Medicine Encompassed (ME) Student Internships
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12) from all over the world can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Internships with ME are open year-round including summer sessions. Flexible work schedules (commitment of at least 1 article/week or up to 2 hours/week).
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
Medicine Encompassed is a student-led non-profit organization that accepts applications from high school students interested in biology, medicine, and STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts, and math). The organization has over 18 committees, with all intern positions contributing to the organization’s medical curriculum development, the Project Cultivation outreach initiative, and other committee-specific projects.
Current available positions include writers, editors, and resource creators. Responsibilities for these positions include drafting accurate articles, revision of blog and social media resources, and making study guides and slideshows for students. This may involve researching medical topics, writing informative articles or guides, and developing educational materials that can be used by others to learn about various medical fields. Additionally, you can contribute to the ‘Project Cultivation’ outreach initiative, which aims to increase awareness and accessibility of medical education. The outcome of the program typically includes a comprehensive set of educational materials that students have contributed to or created.
Eligibility: High school students or rising college freshmen at least 16 years of age and residing in Massachusetts
Application Deadline: April 14, 2024
Dates: July 15 - July 26, 2024 (2 weeks)
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Zon Lab in Boston Children’s Hospital is dedicated to the research and development of therapies for blood disorders and cancer. One of its initiatives is Camp Zon, a research experience in which students can learn about cancer biology and blood development, with an emphasis on using zebrafish as an organism to conduct a research project on anemia.
You will form a hypothesis, design experiments, and analyze data. Scientists in the lab will then perform these experiments live for students watching online. You will then present their data at the end. Students will also attend lectures, learn basic coding, and critically read and understand scientific literature. You will also receive career advice from expert scientists of Zon Lab in a mentoring session and career panel Q&A. You can check the sample schedule here.
9. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Eligibility:
- Interns must be eligible to work in the U.S. (as verified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s e-verify service) and must reside in one of the states where APA is already registered as an employer.
- Students must be enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution to be eligible for an internship with APA.
- For students under the age of 18, an official District of Columbia Work Permit must be submitted with your application. Additional information about the D.C. Work Permit can be found online.
Application Deadline: Varies based on the internship.
Dates: Internships are offered year-round; exact dates vary based on the internship selected. Internships during the summer are available.
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships are available.
Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA) present an exceptional opportunity for students interested in pursuing a virtual internship. APA, the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States, offers diverse internship roles in policy, research, communications, and financial services. This program is designed for students who are passionate about psychology and applying psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.
Summer internships with the APA provide a chance to deepen understanding of professional psychology within a nationally recognized organization. As an intern, you’ll get to perform a variety of tasks depending on the needs of the office and your interests and skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including research, writing, and web-based projects, and get a chance to assist staff with administrative tasks and special projects. Many remote, paid internships are available for high school students. You can check all current openings here.
10. Los Angeles Pediatric Society’s Eve And Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 11 and 12 can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: July 8 - 18, 2024 (session 1) | July 22, 2024 - August 1, 2024 (session 2). Each session will run from Monday to Thursday each week from 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM.
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship, but one $500 scholarship will be awarded.
The Los Angeles Pediatric Society’s Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program has been running since 1969. This program hosts two virtual sessions that students can choose from. The program pairs students with mentors like general pediatricians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, therapists, dietitians, and more.
Students are also given a chance to discuss projects and make presentations at the end of the program. Additionally, there might be some in-person shadowing and meeting opportunities for students, so make sure you take note of them before applying so that you can make the necessary arrangements. You can check out the past program highlights here.
11. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SPARK SIP)
Eligibility: High school students in the Greater Seattle area who can work for 40 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Application deadline: Applications typically close in May (based on last year's dates). The applications will open in April 2024.
Dates: June-August, 2024 (6-8 weeks)
Stipend: Up to $500
The SPARK Summer Internship Program matches high school students with industry experts, professors, and community leaders. Students will be able to opt for projects they are interested in by providing 5-6 preferences, following which they will be matched with sponsors based on availability and eligibility (many remote options are available). These projects require students to work on real-world and hands-on projects.
The list of projects for 2024 will be finalized soon and it includes topics such as Detecting tick-borne infections and cancers (pancreatic and breast) via microfluidics, so make it a point to keep checking the website as the list is constantly being updated. In 2023, project options included detection tools for infections and cancer, DNA sequence classification based on electrical signatures, 2D materials, and more. To get updates regarding the program, you can sign up for the SPARK SIP newsletter here.
12. Internships at the Smithsonian National Zoo (Veterinary Medicine)
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply. Specific positions might require additional qualifications.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship opportunity.
Dates: Varies depending on the internship opportunity.
Stipend: Paid but varies depending on the internship opportunity.
The National Zoo offers a variety of internship opportunities to high school students in animal care, veterinary medicine, IT, communications, animal enrichment, animal behavior, conservation, GIS One Health, nutrition, genetics, and more. They have opportunities at the Zoo in Washington, DC, and their Conservation Biology Center in Front Royal, Virginia as well as Hawaii in addition to offering remote internships.
Each internship may have a slightly different application process. Applications may be accepted on an ongoing basis or have a deadline. Opportunities in research and animal programs are currently available. You can check the current openings here.
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 medicine. 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 graduate.