Nearly everyone is familiar with the concept of an internship. A variation on this for high school students is called a pre-college program. Students are exposed to various topics and some programs offer college credit. Many college summer programs span between one week and three months. Those aiming for a future in medicine should pursue Harvard Medical School programs for high school students.
These promising students participate in mentoring activities and learn about the medical profession. Harvard Medical School pre-college programs also allow successful applicants to use cutting-edge technology and facilities to prepare and motivate them to start a medical career.
Why High School Students Should Attend a Harvard Medical School Program
Students should attend a program at Harvard Medical School because they offer activities in preparation for a career in medicine. They’ll be exposed to what college feels like and looks like before they attend an undergraduate institution. In addition, they’ll get to meet other people they can learn from and experience the clinical aspects and cultural aspects of pursuing a career in medicine.
A job in the medical field is a strong career goal for most high schoolers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a physician or surgeon is $218,850 and physicians have a job outlook of 3 percent. Building a strong resume to get into med school is the first step toward this career.
High School Student Requirements for Harvard Medical School Program
The main requirement for the internship program is that the student is enrolled in high school. There’s no need for a letter of recommendation, but there is a portion of the application materials that requires an assessment from a teacher.
There is a corresponding fee involved, but that can be considered an excellent investment in career development training, as these programs are full of opportunities for students. Some Harvard Medical School programs prioritize underrepresented students in the medical field.
Can High School Students Attend a Harvard Medical School Program Online?
Yes, foreign and American undergraduates can attend a Harvard Medical School program online since there are options for online activities for non-traditional students. The best option is to participate in the program in person because they’ll be able to interact with other classmates.
Students will participate in extracurricular activities and faculty lectures, which are valuable for their future in medicine and will grow their thinking skills.
How High School Students Can Get Into a Harvard Medical School Program
- Check eligibility. The student must be enrolled in high school to get into the program. The acceptable grade level ranges from grades nine to 12.
- Fill out an online application. Fill out the corresponding application to begin the process. Some Harvard Medical School programs are aimed toward underrepresented minority students or students from select Boston schools, so make sure you meet the criteria.
- Undergo teacher assessment. For the teacher assessment, the student includes the name of a teacher and their email address so Harvard University can make contact. Teachers will receive a form to fill out through their email.
- Pay fees. Each program has its own fees attached. On-time payment is crucial to avoid late fees and/or removal from consideration for the program.
- Remember important dates. Be informed of the different dates, such as when the applications for summer start and the application deadline. Prospective students must know about the enrollment and payment due dates.
Harvard University Academies
Business Academy
Students will learn the foundations and processes involved in launching a business. They’ll learn how to execute and generate an idea, do market research, and create business plans. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain comprehensive education on business fundamentals.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Business Level I Academy @Home
- Business Level II Academy @Home
Pre-Med Academy
This academy allows students to get a picture of what it’s like to have a career in medicine. The academy covers organic chemistry, immunology, genetic inheritance, human health, molecular biology, human biology, and systems biology. These programs also give students an overview of diseases and invasive organisms and provide information about the MCAT process.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Pre-Med Level I Academy @Home
- Pre-Med Level II Academy @Home
Coding Academy
Students who attend this academy will learn about the fundamentals of coding. In addition to practicing programming languages like Python, they’ll also understand more the essential functions of code. Program participants learn about web development and web programming.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Coding Level I Academy @Home
- Coding Level II Academy @Home
Popular Harvard Medical School Programs for High School Students
| Program | Cost | Location | Duration |
| MEDscience teleMED Online Program | $1,800 | Online | 5 days |
| MEDscience@HMS Program | $2,500 | Boston | 5 days |
| MEDscienceLAB Program | $2,500 | Boston | 5 days |
| Pre-College Program | $4,950 | Boston | 2 weeks |
| Secondary School Program | $3,500–$13,200 | Boston/Online | 7 weeks |
The Best Harvard Medical School Pre-College Programs
MEDscience teleMED Online Program
- Discipline: Medicine
- Learning Method: Online learning
This program is for those interested in science, healthcare, and medicine. The students will take the role of primary healthcare provider and partake in realistic medical simulations. Every day, they’ll be given a chance to hone their communication skills in real-life situations and interact with patients with emotional and physical characteristics.
They’ll also be surrounded by talented and like-minded peers. Students will diagnose, evaluate, and treat highly ill patients. The live patients, nurses, and medical consultants will lead motivated undergraduate students through challenging and exciting direct experience. Cost covers a teleMED tool kit that contains scrubs, a stethoscope, and other materials.
MEDscience@HMS Program
- Discipline: Science
- Learning Method: Hands-on active learning, simulated exercises
This summer program is for students who are curious about science, healthcare, and medicine. The students will be immersed in dynamic, realistic, and medical emergencies to learn about clinical skills. The program goal is to inform students about different healthcare careers to help them decide what field they want to specialize in.
In the simulation labs, students will use state-of-the-art equipment and learn to diagnose, assess, and treat lifelike interactive patients. They’ll have the chance to work with Harvard Medical School’s students, physicians, and pre-med students. In addition, They’ll acquire skills like assessing vital signs, inserting IVs, suturing wounds, laparoscopic training, and intubation.
In addition, ideal students will be introduced to a network of Harvard-affiliated clinical medicine professionals. This gives students a chance to engage in informal career development workshops to learn about different career paths and specialties. This will also open them up to learn about other patient cases.
MEDscienceLAB Program
- Discipline: Science
- Learning Method: Hands-on and clinical laboratory setting
This program is best for students fascinated with biology, biotech, or medicine. They will learn alongside research and healthcare professionals who will act as individual mentors to help them explore different careers like public health, research, and biomedical science. Students will also experience real-life emergency room care in Harvard University’s high-tech simulation lab.
Students will get to treat STAN, a lifelike interactive patient. In addition, students can perform experiments with patient samples and learn how lab tests are essential to STAN’s medical care. The students in this trainee program will work in teams of three with other lab researchers to examine, test, treat, and diagnose illnesses.
The students will learn about DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, PCR, and ELISA. These skills are essential for a career in clinical science or clinical skills research. In addition, students will use and access state-of-the-art clinical sites and medical simulation labs.
Pre-College Program
- Discipline: English, psychology, law, business, science, and technology
- Learning Method: Coursework, hands-on experience
This program allows high school students to experience what college life at Harvard College looks like. Qualified students will be immersed in subjects to test their intellects without feeling pressured. This program is excellent for incoming college students during the summer months. This experience includes social and creative activities.
Some of the subjects that students can take are basic science, human biology, chemical biology, and oncology, where they learn about cancer prevention. They will also study scientific literature. Harvard’s summer program has a dynamic research environment. The application process includes a nonrefundable application fee. Prospective students will also need to submit a counselor report.
Secondary School Program
- Discipline: English, psychology, law, business, science, and technology
- Learning Method: Coursework, hands-on experience, online learning
This unique program allows students a taste of college with other high school students and undergraduate students from the college. This is a great opportunity for students to explore a wide variety of future careers in tech, behavioral science, business, and more. Students will experience a healthy mix of extracurricular activities, community activities, coursework, and socializing with peers.
Potential topics covered in this program include computer science and engineering, website development and software applications, justice, ethics, human rights, medical sciences, clinical case studies, behavioral sciences, and ethics. Students will gain hands-on laboratory research experience and learn more about common diseases and infectious diseases in the program in epidemiology.
Additional activities that students might experience are talent shows, music groups, dances, and college visits. Online courses in playwriting and various cultures are offered as well. This program sets up students for advanced careers and introduces them to faculty mentors and alumni from Harvard University.
Tuition for the on-campus program does not include travel costs, but does include meal accommodations. The ideal students should be at least 16 years old and should enter college in 2022, 2023, or 2024. The application for the summer program is ongoing.
Next Steps After Your Harvard Medical School Program for High School Students
After attending the Harvard Medical School’s program for high school students, the next step is to decide whether to pursue medicine in college. High school graduates should first pursue a bachelor’s degree in a pre-med course such as psychology, physics, chemistry, or sociology. When that is finished, it’s time to pursue graduate studies by enrolling in medical school.
Harvard Medical School Programs for High School Students FAQ
Not immediately after, no, because the first requirement is a bachelor’s degree. That being said, you should major in a pre-med focus to build the right foundation to succeed in medical school. Academic performance is key to gaining admission into prestigious institutions such as Harvard, especially for medical school, so minding your academic record is crucial.
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Yes, there are many Harvard Medical School programs for high school students. Research the pre-college and secondary programs if you want to explore areas other than medicine, because the college has a wide array of analytical tools to be used for future planning.
Yes, it can help you get into Harvard because it strengthens your college applications and equips you with knowledge and skills. However, attending Harvard Summer Programs for high school students does not guarantee undergraduate admission.
Right now, there are no free Harvard Summer Programs for high school students that are focused on medicine at Harvard University. All the programs have a tuition fee, but they are great investments in the future and students learn a lot from attending a Harvard pre-college program.
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