11 Dermatology Programs for High School Students
If you're a high school student interested in pursuing a career in dermatology, consider participating in a medical program in the field. Specialized programs can provide valuable insights into the healthcare industry, offering hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of medical sciences. For example, dermatology programs can provide practical training in diagnosing and treating skin disorders.
Early exposure to practical learning can strengthen your college applications by indicating your ability to work with advanced material and genuine interest in a specific field. Admissions committees often look for candidates who have demonstrated a clear commitment to their chosen field and have actively pursued opportunities to enhance their knowledge and experience.
In this blog, we will explore 10 dermatology programs for high school students that are worth considering!
Location: There are two different locations for this program in 2024:
Chicago, IL
Washington, DC
Eligibility: High school seniors and college students can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are closed. Applications for 2025 will open in fall 2024.
Dates:
Chicago Derm Career Prep program: June 10–June 14, 2024
DC Derm Career Prep program: June 24–June 28, 2024
Cost: Not specified; for specific details on any potential costs or stipends, you can refer to the official program website or contact the program administrators directly.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers programs at two different locations—the Chicago Derm Career Prep program and the DC Derm Career Prep program—specifically designed for high school and college students with a keen interest in pursuing dermatology as a career. It provides the ideal platform to get a better sense of what a career in dermatology would look like.
Geared towards the Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities to hone inclusivity within the field, the program allows students to learn about medicine, dermatology, and how to succeed in a challenging and competitive field. More specifically, during the program, you will have the chance to try your hand at some common procedures that dermatologists perform every day and spend an immersive five days with dermatologists, dermatology residents, and medical students learning about medicine and dermatology. You will also receive guidance on how to successfully apply to medical school and pursue a career in medicine.
2. University of Pennsylvania—Department of Dermatology’s Penn Academy for Skin Health (PASH) Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Philadelphia high school students in grades 10-12 can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: 4 consecutive Saturdays in March; followed by a paid summer internship (if selected).
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; stipend provided for the summer internship.
University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Academy for Skin Health (PASH) is a four-weekend program designed for students interested in dermatology. Selected students will interact with clinicians and scientists and receive their guidance while learning laboratory techniques and experiments, discovering dermatologic diseases, and using advanced technology. You will further get to network with Penn faculty and peers. You may also get the chance to attend the annual Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (SBDRC) Scientific Symposium. You can check out the schedule and syllabus for the 2024 program here.
If you complete the program, you become eligible for a paid summer internship sponsored by the Office of Outreach, Education, and Research (OER). You will perform in-depth laboratory work while simultaneously participating in the university’s ECuRE program.
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024 for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024 for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here!
Location: Duke University Campus, Durham, NC
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: June 30–July 5, 2024 | July 21–July 26, 2024
Cost: Residential: $1,400 + $750 room & meal fee | Commuter: $1,400 + $125 meal fee
Duke University’s Pre-College program—Healthcare Professions and Modern Medicine is a good fit for students who want to understand the work that healthcare professionals supplement each other and work together. As a participant in the program, you’ll get to enhance your knowledge of professional opportunities in healthcare and medicine while simultaneously exploring health indicators that impact society’s well-being. You’ll also analyze healthcare professionals' various roles within multiple health settings including doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, dentists, technologists, therapists, and patient navigators. This program will allow you to explore various subfields within healthcare and medicine, including dermatology.
You will get a chance to learn from guest speakers from Duke University Medical Center, and other healthcare professionals. This will allow you to understand the principles of healthcare from social, environmental, and community health perspectives and concerns. You’ll also get to experience life at Duke and tour their laboratories and medical facilities.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: SMYSP is specifically for current high school juniors in Northern California.
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025. Applications typically close in March.
Dates: June 24–July 26, 2024
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Admitted students will receive a $1,250 clinical research stipend.
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a free, five-week, full-time summer initiative designed for current juniors from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds residing in Northern California. This location-specific program offers an excellent opportunity for those living in California and interested in a future in medicine. During the program and beyond, you’ll receive mentorship from medical professionals, faculty, and current pre-med or STEM students from Stanford University.
SMYSP is particularly beneficial for prospective first-generation college students, as the admissions team focuses on enhancing opportunities and access for students from underrepresented communities. Throughout the program, you will intern at Stanford Hospital weekly, attend academic seminars and lectures, and develop and present your public health research projects. You will also get to participate in weekly guest lectures, tours, and demonstrations from the Stanford medical community. Potential guests include medical professionals from various departments such as dermatology, anesthesiology, life flight, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and more. This is a highly competitive program, accepting only 24 students.
For more details on this opportunity, you can check out our comprehensive guide here!
Location: Various medical centers in Los Angeles. Virtual sessions are also available.
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 11 and 12 can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February. Applications for the 2024 program are closed and will reopen in January for the 2025 cohort.
Dates: 2 and 4-week sessions available between June and August; dates vary for different sessions. 2-week virtual sessions are also available.
Cost: This is no cost, but one $500 scholarship will be awarded.
The Los Angeles Pediatric Society’s Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program, established in 1969, offers a small cohort of medical students the opportunity to work in different hospitals with medical mentors and experts. As an intern, you will attend workshops led by general pediatricians, and specialists, including surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, infectious disease specialists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, child life, and therapists, (like physical, speech, occupational, or cognitive therapists) to understand how patient healthcare works.
To ensure that you can get hands-on experience, the program assigns you to a hospital in the Los Angeles area, like the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, to observe and help out with various medical procedures, treatment plans, and patient care to gain exposure as a young nurse and health care worker. At the end of the program, each participant will also receive a certificate of completion as well as the opportunity to receive a $500 scholarship from the Edward M. Rissman Scholarship Fund!
Location: Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors between the ages of 15–19 years can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February. The applications for SMA 2025 will open in November 2024.
Dates: Session 1: June 17–June 28, 2024 | Session 2: July 8–July 19, 2024
Cost: $3,000. This covers all course, lab, and program materials; t-shirts and scrub pants; and daily lunch.
Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego offers a Summer Medical Academy, providing high school students with unique and engaging opportunities to delve into the healthcare field. This program includes lectures, skills clinics, hands-on activities, group projects, career panels, and interactive discussions. It covers various healthcare careers, including, nursing, pharmacy, and social work, catering to students interested in pursuing healthcare professions. You will be able to find opportunities to interact with and learn from dermatologists as well.
During this 2-week intensive, you’ll get to learn about the wide range of possibilities in a healthcare career; get hands-on experience through different skills clinics; hear about key topics in medicine from experts; and make connections with future colleagues. Additionally, Rady Children's Hospital offers a more extensive program compared to others on the list, including weekend academy options for those unable to commit to the full program. These weekend programs focus on different medical careers and topics.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Eligibilityty: Students must be between the ages of 14-18 and have completed at least one year of high school (students may attend NSLC through the summer following high school graduation).
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
Dates: Multiple sessions are available. June 23–July 10, 2024 | July 17–August 3, 2024
Cost: $6,795 (Residential Program)
NSLC’s Medicine Intensive High School Summer Program offers a unique and immersive experience for students keen on exploring the medical field and a possible career in a field like dermatology. Held at Northwestern University, this program provides a comprehensive look into medicine through interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, and simulations that replicate real medical scenarios. You will have the opportunity to interact directly with professional medical practitioners, gaining valuable insights into the complexities and rewards of a healthcare career.
This program is particularly advantageous for students considering a future in medicine and dermatology as it builds a solid foundation of medical knowledge while enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. During the program, you’ll get to learn advanced clinical diagnostics, devise treatment plans, handle critical medical situations, gain the essential skills of suturing and surgical knot tying by mending lacerations and securing skin grafts, and treat injuries in a wilderness setting by using natural resources.
Location: Georgetown University’s campus in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: Current or rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the academic year before the summer program with at least a 2.0 GPA can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May. The early bird deadline is in January for which the application fee is waived. Summer 2025 applications will open in late Fall.
Dates: June 9–June 15, 2024 | June 23–June 29, 2024 | July 7–July 13, 2024
Cost: $3,549 (Residential). Price includes tuition, housing, and meals.
Commuter Student tuition is $2,750.
Georgetown University’s 1-Week Medical Academy is a great choice for high school students seeking medical internships, even those looking to get into the field of dermatology. This pre-med summer program offers an introduction to the field of medicine and a glimpse into the Georgetown University Medical Center, which encompasses the nationally ranked School of Medicine, the School of Nursing & Health Studies, and the renowned Lombardi Cancer Center. Hosted on Georgetown’s campus during both June and July, you will have the chance to interact directly with current medical students, Georgetown University School of Medicine faculty, and physicians from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
Through this program, you will learn about the journey to becoming a physician, discover strategies for succeeding in medical school, and explore various medical specialties. The daily schedule includes a mix of lectures, interactive experiences, and group discussions, all led by distinguished Georgetown faculty members.
Location: Denver, CO
Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school sophomores at the time of application and attend school in the Denver metro or Colorado Springs areas.
Application Deadline: The applications will open in January 2025 for the 2025-2026 program.
Dates: Applicants will be a part of the internship from the beginning of their junior year to the end of their senior year in high school. MC2 requires a full 2-year commitment.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Participants will receive an hourly stipend but the exact amount is not available.
The Medical Career Collaborative or MC2 is a health careers pathway program designed to provide youth, starting in high school, the opportunity to gain experience and exposure to the world of healthcare and access to ongoing support in their pursuit of healthcare professions.
During the program, you will be paired with a Children’s Colorado or Denver Health mentor to work alongside for the duration of the internship. Mentors are from a wide range of healthcare professions such as technicians, nurses, paramedics, therapists, physicians, and more. Alongside working as a young healthcare professional you will also participate in workshops for college and scholarship preparation while also learning and getting certification in courses like Mental Health First Aid, Bleeding Control, Basic Life Support, and more!
Many graduates of MC2 have gone on to pursue health careers and are now working as nurses, doctors, researchers, laboratory scientists, public health professionals, medical interpreters, technicians, and more!
Location: University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, at least 16 years of age at the time of application can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: The program runs from the second full week of June through the first week of August for 8 weeks.
Cost/Stipend: Free for all accepted participants; A stipend of $3,000 is provided to the participants.
The ResearcHStart program at UChicago Medicine offers high school students a valuable opportunity to engage in cutting-edge cancer research alongside experienced professionals. This program (and the cancer centers at large) focuses on cancer research, including skin cancer, allowing you to gain practical exposure and knowledge of various lab techniques, diagnostics, and treatments. The program is tailored for students interested in pursuing a career in medical research, providing them with a solid foundation in various scientific techniques and methodologies.
By participating in the ResearcHStart program, you’ll not only enhance your research skills but also develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities crucial for your future academic and professional endeavors. In addition to focused cancer research, you will receive holistic knowledge in fields like biophysics, immunology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. You will also get a chance to present your research to your peers and members of the participating universities at the concluding research symposium. This program is highly competitive, selecting only up to 30 students.
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you would like to participate in a rigorous research program open to high schoolers, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source: American Academy of Dermatology logo