8 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Houston, TX
Gaining early exposure to the medical field through summer programs can be a great benefit for high school students. Summer medical programs not only provide hands-on experience in a range of healthcare disciplines but also allow students to explore potential career paths, build valuable skills, and develop professional networks.
Participating in these programs demonstrates initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to learning—qualities that can significantly enhance your college application. For students in Houston, TX, medical summer programs offer a head start in an increasingly competitive field, giving you a glimpse of the challenges and rewards of a healthcare career.
Here is a list of 8 medical summer programs for high school students in Houston, Texas!
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Cost: There is currently no information on the cost. For more information, applicants can email edoutreach@bcm.edu
Program Dates: The program typically runs for a week in the summer
Application Deadline: Application is available with the affiliated schools starting in March
Eligibility: Rising seniors from South Texas affiliated high schools
Each summer, Baylor College of Medicine hosts the DocPrep program, selecting 60 exceptional rising seniors from South Texas high schools and 12 teacher mentors for a week-long academic enrichment experience. Focused on health professions and science, the program takes place at the Texas Medical Center and includes medical lectures, college and medical school counseling, communication courses led by Rice University graduate students, and hands-on simulation lab experiences. You will engage with Baylor medical students, faculty, and staff, with medical students serving as counselors and accompanying you throughout the program.
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost: No cost or stipend
Program Dates: May 27 – August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: Applications will open on December 2, 2024, and close on January 31, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who are currently in their junior or senior year, will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and have a minimum 3.5 GPA
The Summer High School Research Internship at Houston Methodist offers high school juniors and seniors the chance to conduct research alongside college students. This program introduces a select group of academically talented students to the field of translational research, providing hands-on experience through individualized summer projects guided by mentors at Houston Methodist. You will receive instruction on essential laboratory techniques and engage in a scientific poster symposium at the program’s conclusion, presenting your research to faculty and peers. Additionally, the program includes career and professional development opportunities, preparing you for college and future career paths.
Location: University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost / Stipend: There is no cost. Interns receive a $6,800 stipend for their participation in the 10-week program, and $6,120 if participating for nine weeks
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: January 17, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors who will be at least 18 years old at the start of the program
This program offers young Texans interested in Allied Health careers the chance to explore research and gain hands-on experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Each year, up to 10 students are selected for this 10-week program, where they work alongside MD Anderson faculty on biomedical research projects. Emphasis is placed on understanding the foundational principles of scientific investigation. You will spend five days a week in the laboratory, gaining firsthand knowledge of biomedical research and the discipline it requires. You will attend faculty-led seminars and exclusive activities, including competitions and presentations. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll share your experiences during a presentation and a celebration luncheon.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: No cost
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
June 10 – 27, 2024
July 8 – 25, 2024
Application Deadline: April 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are residents of the Houston area
This free 3-week summer program introduces students to the practical applications of engineering in healthcare, focusing on the intersection of digital design and medical treatment. Hosted by Rice University, the program covers topics such as digital circuitry, computer science, physics, and engineering research, emphasizing their use in medicine. You will engage in hands-on simulations and work with medical instruments like pulse oximeters, accelerometers, GPS devices, speakers, and microphones while exploring various college pathways. No prior programming experience is required, but the program is highly selective, admitting only 12 students and with applications needing school representative involvement.
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: No cost
Program Dates: June 3 – July 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who have completed 11th grade
Rising high school seniors with a strong interest in biomedical, bioengineering, and health-related careers can apply for this internship at the University of Houston’s MohanLab. The program starts with 1-2 weeks of foundational training in basic laboratory techniques, followed by eight weeks of hands-on bench research under the mentorship of a scientist or graduate student. You may have the option to extend your research beyond the program, focusing on manuscript writing and data analysis. The internship culminates with you presenting your research, with the possibility of contributing to scientific publications based on your project.
Location: University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of $750 upon successful completion
Program Dates: June 6 – July 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
UT Health Houston offers this internship to introduce high school students to university-level research in STEM fields, with the goal of increasing the number of students pursuing STEM degrees in college. Over the course of six weeks, you will work closely with a mentor, completing 20 hours of science-related work per week. The program concludes with a formal presentation where you’ll showcase your research to faculty, friends, family, and the community. To apply, you have to submit an essay about why you want to attend this program and a letter of recommendation.
Location: University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: 8-10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: January 21, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school seniors who are 18 years or older or graduating
The DACCPM (Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine) Summer Research Program is a selective 10-week program offering high school students hands-on experience in advanced medical research. You will gain valuable skills in laboratory and clinical research, conduct medical literature reviews, and learn data management techniques. Under the mentorship of experienced researchers, you’ll work on assigned projects, which you will present at a poster symposium at the program's conclusion. Each student’s research abstract is featured in the annual CATALYST Summer Program abstract book. Additionally, the program provides academic and professional development opportunities, including guidance on exploring careers in medicine.
Location: Students stay on campus at the University of Houston and venture to and from The Health Museum and the Texas Medical Center
Cost: The cost for the summit is $1,500, with some need-based scholarships offered
Program Dates: July 13 – 18, 2025
Application Deadline: June 7, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 to 18
The Global Teen Medical Summit is a week-long summer program offering students the chance to tackle modern healthcare challenges with experts from the Texas Medical Center. You will engage in simulated surgical procedures, meet leading professionals, explore career pathways, and work on team projects guided by top healthcare mentors. Throughout the program, students attend workshops and talks, gaining fresh perspectives on pressing medical issues and applying theory to real-world problems.
The experience includes visits to the Texas Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Hospital, and a medical school. You will stay on the University of Houston campus, engaging in team-building and networking activities while exploring Houston’s healthcare environment.
Bonus Items!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based scholarship available
Lumiere Individual Research Program: $2,990
Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program: $5,900
Lumiere Research Fellowship: $8,900
Program Dates: The summer program typically runs in June
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and typically close in May for the summer cohort
Eligibility: All high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a distinguished online research opportunity for high-achieving students eager to conduct original research. In this flagship program, students are paired 1-on-1 with PhD mentors to develop independent research projects, providing a unique chance to contribute to cutting-edge scholarship while still in high school. Participants refine their research methodologies, enhance critical thinking, and tackle complex issues under expert guidance. Whether interested in medicine, biology, or biotechnology, you’ll gain valuable skills for college applications and future academic pursuits. You can apply here!
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: The summer program typically runs from June to September
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across various disciplines, including Neurodegenerative Diseases, Protein Biophysics, Neuroscience, Psychology, Gene Editing and CRISPR Technology, Medical Sociology, Bio-Industry, and more. It is one of the few programs that allow students to choose between conducting quantitative or qualitative research. After selecting a subject track and research type, students are paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university who mentors them throughout the process.
The program concludes with the creation of a 20-page research paper, which students may submit to prestigious journals for potential publication. Horizon provides comprehensive feedback and a letter of recommendation, offering students a strong foundation for future academic and research pursuits. You can apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290, need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and typically close in May for the summer cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12. Completion of AI Scholars or a background in coding is required
Veritas AI, run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high schoolers looking to build a foundation in computer science and AI. The AI + Medicine Deep Dive is a 10-week intensive program for students passionate about exploring the intersection of AI and medicine. Participants engage with AI specialists, attend lectures, and work on practical projects applying AI to healthcare. The curriculum covers AI’s role in diagnosing diseases, medical imaging, and applications in genomics, drug development, and neuroscience. You can apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $1,990, with financial aid available
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts in June and runs till August
Application Deadline: Summer applications typically close in April
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5-15 hours per week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships, a selective program founded by Harvard alumni, connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. Participants can choose from a diverse range of industries, including technology, healthcare, medicine, AI, machine learning, finance, environmental science, business, marketing, journalism, and more. As an intern, students work on meaningful projects aligned with the organization’s mission and present their work at the program’s conclusion. The internship includes personalized training in communication, time management, and group sessions. Participants are paired with both a manager and a Ladder coach for mentorship. Students interested in medicine can select healthcare-related internships with startups such as Softenmind, IPMD, and JuneBrain.
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.