High school students interested in pre-medicine have a variety of options to explore the healthcare field during the summer. What I generally recommend is that students consider a broader exploratory interest after 9th grade, then apply to those programs in specific healthcare fields after 10th and 11th grades. One of the reasons that I suggest doing it this way is because I want students to realize early on that they do not have to major in a science in order to attend medical school. Yes, you should be comfortable with the sciences, but your major can be as far-ranging as philosophy or music, as long as you meet the course requirements to apply to medical school.
Students must know that these pre-medical summer programs tend to be very selective, with rigorous application processes. The applications are typically due during the winter and often include submitting transcript, test scores, essays, and teacher recommendations. The application process itself is worth the effort, whether or not you’re admitted. It’s good experience.
Here are several programs that high school students with pre-medical interests may want to explore:
Boston University Research Internship in Science and Engineering – students participating in this program get a rare opportunity to conduct research with university professors. Perhaps there is even an opportunity to publish as well.
Drexel Mini-Med Summer Camp – This summer opportunity allows students to observe surgical procedures, shadow physicians during clinical office hours, and participate in medical simulations.
University of Florida Student Science Training Program – The emphasis of this program is on research with a faculty team for students not only interested in healthcare, but also math, computer science, or engineering. This could be a good opportunity to learn about other fields that may inform trends in healthcare.
These are examples which I hope will encourage you to research other programs or, better yet, create a similar program in your own community that would be a good match for next summer! Please let us know what you discover in the comments below.
