6 Free Online Medical Programs for High School Students
In today's competitive academic landscape, exploring a career early on can enhance your college applications. Participating in free online medical programs not only helps you gain foundational knowledge but also demonstrates your interest in medicine to college admissions officers. These programs often come with mentorship opportunities, project-based learning, and exposure to real-world medical challenges. The prestige of participating in a fully funded program also boosts your academic profile.
If you’re a high school student interested in the medical field, here’s a list of 6 free online medical programs for you to check out!
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall.
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Application Deadline: Applications will open in January
Program Dates: June 17 – 28
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over the age of 14
Cost: Free
The AIMI Summer Research Internship at Stanford offers a unique opportunity for high school students to gain experience in research in the field of Artificial Intelligence in medicine. This program gives you the chance to work closely with experts in AI, machine learning, and medical imaging. You will work on collaborative research projects. Additionally, you will be introduced to academic and career pathways by interacting with Stanford researchers and guest speakers from academia, non-profit, government, and industry. Around 25 students are accepted to the program.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (start anytime)
Location: Online (via Coursera)
Eligibility: Open to all learners, no prior background required
Program Dates: Available year-round, self-paced (21 hours total)
Cost: Free to audit; paid certificate option available ($49)
This course, offered by the University of Michigan, delves into the science of sleep, exploring the biological mechanisms, medical implications, and societal impact of sleep disorders. While the program is structured around key concepts like circadian rhythms and sleep stages, it also points out the real-world impact of sleep deprivation on health, productivity, and cognitive function. Lectures and quizzes allow you to cement your learning while becoming aware of how sleep quality influences daily life and long-term well-being.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (start anytime)
Location: Online (via Coursera)
Eligibility: Open to all learners
Program Dates: Available year-round, self-paced (12 hours total)
Cost: Free for audit; paid certificate option available ($49)
The Introduction to Breast Cancer course offered by Yale University on Coursera provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of breast cancer risk factors and prevention strategies. In addition to covering scientific causes and treatment advancements, the course examines unique cases like male breast cancer and Paget’s disease. The course tries to incorporate student interests, so if there’s a topic that especially interests you, you can ask the professor to cover it in the next session.
Application Deadline: May 6
Duration: July 9 – August 8
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors in high school and college students
Cost: No information available
The Stanford Summer Neurosciences Program goes beyond traditional learning by immersing students in discussions of neurology through journal clubs, where you will analyze scientific papers with experts. You will also attend neuroscience career talks and gain exposure to new clinical practices via ‘Grand Rounds,’ a series of talks by experts at the forefront of neuroscience research. The program meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Application Deadline: March 1
Duration: 5 weeks for the virtual internship
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented groups in the U.S.
Program Dates: July – August, specific dates TBA
Cost: Free; $500 scholarship for virtual participants
JHIBS is a prestigious neuroscience internship offering hands-on research experience. Selected high school juniors and seniors engage in mentored research projects and professional development. Virtual participants receive mentorship and engage in scientific discussions remotely. You will learn about basic lab techniques and receive college application advice. This unique experience prepares students for future careers in neurological sciences and encourages participation from underrepresented backgrounds. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
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.