Are you a high school student in New York City looking to pursue a pre-med track and prepare yourself for college? This list of 8 of the best medical programs for high school students in NYC could be your answer to gaining early exposure to the competitive and daunting field of medicine! In these programs, you will get the chance to interact with medical professionals, explore various career options, and ascertain whether medicine is the right field for you.

Participation (and excellence) in these programs is a solid way to strengthen your college applications. It demonstrates your passion for the subject and sets you apart from other applicants through exposure and hands-on experience!

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Medicine track

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Remote — You can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Cost: Full financial aid is available!

2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program

The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) conducted by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers a comprehensive 8-week immersion into biomedical and computational cancer research. This program goes beyond just the laboratory, providing participants with a well-rounded educational experience.

As a participant, you will be paired with a mentor (postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, or research technicians) who will guide you through an independent research project based on your topic of choice. The program includes postdoctoral-led and student-led journal clubs to foster critical thinking and discussion of current research. You’ll also participate in laboratory tours, luncheons with principal investigators, and team-building and networking sessions.

The program culminates with a poster session where students present their research findings to the broader scientific community. In addition to hands-on research experience, the HOPP Summer Student Program offers unique access to the prestigious medical institution’s advanced facilities and training sessions. This program, however, is quite selective and only allows students who have demonstrated a genuine interest in science and laboratory research and have a 3.5 GPA in science-related subjects. For a deep dive into this program, click here.

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

Cost: Free for all accepted participants; a stipend of $1,200 is provided.

Application deadline: Applications are typically open in the months of December and January.

Program dates: Typically, eight weeks in the summer, June 27 to August 22.

Eligibility: Students must have completed at least the 9th grade by June and must be 14 or older by the date of application. Applicants must have demonstrated a genuine interest in science and laboratory research and have a 3.5 GPA in science-related subjects.

3. The Rockefeller University Hospital’s Summer Science Research Program

The SSRP is a rigorous, seven-week summer program designed for high-achieving high school students interested in exploring cutting-edge biomedical research. The program offers a unique opportunity to work alongside Rockefeller trainees who function as lab leaders, each guiding a group of 8 students.

The SSRP program provides students with exposure to diverse areas such as genetics, immunology, neuroscience, and stem cell biology. Students are assigned to teams that align with their expressed scientific interests, fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment. The program starts with an introduction to the team's research area and familiarization with laboratory techniques and equipment. Under the guidance of their team leader and Rockefeller scientists, students select a specific research question, analyze data, and finally present their findings at the end-of-program symposium through a poster presentation. It should be noted that although the program is fully funded and also provides scholarships, housing is not covered, and students must make arrangements of their own.

Location: Rockefeller University, New York

Cost: Free for all accepted participants; need-based stipends are provided.

Application deadline: Applications typically close in January.

Program dates: Seven weeks in the summer, June 24 to August 8.

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old at the time of application.

4. GSTEM at NYU

The GSTEM program at NYU is a six-week intensive experience designed for high school students passionate about STEM and its various fields. 40 bright students participate in hands-on research projects under the guidance of experienced STEM professionals — enabling a deep understanding of scientific inquiry. As a participant, you’ll get to select a research topic of interest and work alongside a STEM professor or researcher to gain real-world laboratory and research experience in STEM subjects including mathematics, engineering, biology, computer science, and more! The program offers workshops focused on honing scientific writing, programming abilities, laboratory techniques, and other soft skills - preparing students for future academic and professional endeavors.

GSTEM fosters an inclusive learning environment, empowering students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. The program begins with a week-long orientation lined with exciting workshops, events, and introductions to NYU resources, and culminates in a symposium where students present their research findings to the community. Participants are also engaged in a variety of activities such as Broadway shows and visits to iconic restaurants, allowing them to explore New York City and connect with their peers.

To apply for this program, students must furnish 4 short essay responses and a letter of recommendation from a teacher, advisor, or counselor along with their online application and high school transcripts. For more information on GSTEM, click here.

Location: New York University, New York.

Cost: $5300 tuition fee; $3,702 fee for meals and housing if needed; need-based financial aid is available.

Program dates: Six weeks in the summer, July 1 to August 9.

Application deadline: Applications typically close in March or April.

Eligibility: Open to high school students enrolled in the 11th grade at the time of application, with a strong academic record and demonstrated interest and ability in STEM. Students belonging to communities historically underrepresented in STEM are given preference.

5. Health Care Careers Exploration Program at RIT

This week-long summer program at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 10 to 12 interested in exploring healthcare careers. It offers a comprehensive introduction to the various fields in healthcare, equipping students with valuable knowledge and practical skills.

24 participants engage in interactive sessions including medical demonstrations, and hands-on activities in disciplines like biology, exercise science, medical laboratory science, microbiology, nursing, nutrition, and more. The program aims to help you develop a deeper understanding of the technical, professional, and academic skills required for success in healthcare careers.

The program provides a residential experience on the RIT campus, allowing students to experience dorm life and connect with peers who share their passion for healthcare. Evenings are reserved for a range of supervised activities that offer opportunities for socialization and exploration of the Rochester community such as swimming, bowling, movies, and more.

Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, New York

Cost: $700 program fee; covering meals, accommodation, and all activities.

Program dates: July 20 – 25.

Application deadline: Applications typically open in November and close in May.

Eligibility: Deaf or hard-of-hearing students who are entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall and are in excellent academic standing.

6. Veritas AI's Deep Dive: AI + Medicine

The Veritas AI Deep Dive is a ten-week intensive program designed for motivated students seeking to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and medicine. This program offers a comprehensive exploration of AI applications within the healthcare landscape. In this program, students get the chance to participate in real-world, impactful group projects in the field of AI and medicine.

This program immerses you through interactive lectures, discussions, and workshops with leading AI researchers in the field. Students gain practical skills by working on a project that utilizes AI and machine learning models for tasks relevant to healthcare, such as genomics, hospital admissions, drug discovery, neuroscience, and more. 

A few topics explored in this program are -

• Image Segmentation Techniques for Medical Applications

• Regularization and Transfer Learning Methods in AI

• Foundations of Clinical Evaluation for Machine Learning Models

While this program is open to students across the globe, it does require applicants to have sufficient background in coding. Alternatively, interested students may complete the AI Scholars program by Veritas to be eligible for the Deep Dive AI program.

Location: Virtual.

Cost: $1790. Need-based financial aid is available.

Program dates: Vary according to cohort.

Application deadline: Varies according to cohort.

Eligibility: Students studying in grades 8-12 from across the globe are eligible.

7. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)

The Zuckerman Institute's Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) program offers a unique opportunity for high school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine or neuroscience. This intensive program provides hands-on research experience in a Columbia University laboratory, cultivating a deep understanding of the scientific inquiry process. As a participant, you’ll be paired with experienced Columbia neuroscientists who serve as mentors, guiding you through a personalized research project over a seven-week summer internship. The program also offers training sessions focused on essential laboratory techniques and research methodologies, equipping students with valuable professional skills.

BRAINYAC, however, goes beyond research projects. Students gain exposure to the professional academic environment at Columbia University and connect with a network of established scientists. What’s more, BRAINYAC alumni are eligible to apply for a Merit Fellowship program for continued research in their mentor's lab. Additionally, previous interns may be considered for paid internship positions in future BRAINYAC cohorts.

Location: Columbia University Labs, New York

Cost: Free for all accepted participants; Stipend is provided.

Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer; July 1 -  August 16.

Application deadline: Applications open in October.

Eligibility: 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.

8. Mount Sinai Center for Excellence in Youth Education Medical and Scientific Exploration Program

As a high school student considering a pre-med track in college, the Mount Sinai Center for Excellence in Youth Education Medical and Scientific Exploration Program has to be on your radar. It is a unique program designed to introduce students to diverse healthcare careers and strengthen their foundation in cellular and molecular biology.

Students participate in weekly virtual rotations exploring various laboratories and clinical departments within the Mount Sinai Health System, wherein each department showcases how scientific concepts translate to practical applications in healthcare through virtual lab tours, case studies, and interactive discussions. The program utilizes online platforms like Zoom and Google Classroom, facilitating engagement with ISMMS faculty, healthcare staff, postdoctoral trainees, and medical and graduate students. Students also have access to live video sessions covering topics such as healthcare disparities, leadership development, and college readiness training.

The program further incorporates educational and engaging virtual games like Kahoot and Jeopardy to enhance the online learning experience. Students also gain access to the vast resources available through the Levy Library network, gain exposure to a broad spectrum of career options in healthcare, as well as develop valuable skills for a successful college tenure.

Location: Virtual, with 3 mandatory in-person events (Orientation, ODI Fun Day, and Closing Ceremony).

Cost: Free for all accepted participants.

Program dates: July 1- August 9.

Application deadline: TBA

Eligibility: High school students enrolled in an NYC public school or charter school with a demonstrated interest in biomedical sciences, and belonging to an underrepresented minority group and/or are economically disadvantaged.

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.