8 Free Online Medical Programs for High School Students in 2024
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 8 free online medical programs for you to check out!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3/4, no prior field knowledge required
Program Dates: Summer cohort (June-August), Fall (September-December), Winter (December-February), Spring (March-June)
Cost: Full financial aid available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a competitive opportunity where high school students work 1-on-1 with PhD mentors to complete an independent research project. With options for various cohorts throughout the year, the program covers a broad range of subjects, including medicine, biology, and neuroscience. At the end of the program, students develop a comprehensive research paper, ideal for bolstering college applications. No prior experience is required, and financial aid makes it accessible to a diverse pool of applicants.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Open to high school students with prior Python experience or who have completed the AI Scholars program
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort
Cost: Financial aid available
Veritas AI offers high school students the chance to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the medical field. In the AI + Medicine program, students will learn to use AI tools and machine learning models for diagnosing diseases and analyzing medical scans. This hands-on experience is valuable for aspiring medical professionals. Financial aid is available for eligible students, ensuring that a wider range of students can access this program.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in January
Program Dates: June 17 – 28, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
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: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Program Dates: December 16, 2024 onwards for the winter cohort
Cost: Financial Aid Available
Ladder Internships connects high school students with medical professionals, offering them the chance to explore the healthcare and medical industries. While the regular internship program places students with a healthcare startup, the research internship focuses on helping students develop a research paper in medicine. Students work remotely, collaborating with mentors and peers.
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, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Duration: July 9 – August 8, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
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, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
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 2025, 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.