If you’re interested in pursuing a career in medicine, starting early is critical for developing your medical knowledge and gaining hands-on experience in the field. The medical profession is broad, highly varied, and incredibly competitive, so students should refine their particular niche by developing a compelling hook—the anchoring point of their applicant profile that showcases their passion and commitment to the medical field—through clubs, research and individualized passion projects. But sourcing opportunities to explore your interest can prove challenging: particularly as a high school student, it can be difficult to participate in patient care due to HIPAA and other regulations. Despite these challenges, there are a number of ways you can develop your hook and demonstrate your interest in medicine to top colleges and universities when it comes time to apply. Below, you’ll find Command Education’s expert advice on sourcing opportunities and making the most of your high school career to develop skills you will use in your future medical career!
Join Clubs
Joining school clubs is one of the best ways to explore your interests in medicine outside of the classroom while also developing valuable leadership skills, connecting with like-minded peers, and making a tangible impact in your community. Many high schools offer student-led organizations specifically designed for aspiring medical professionals. If you’re interested in medicine, consider joining clubs such as a Premed Society or Medicine Club, Nutrition Club, or Neuroscience Club. Whether you attend a small private school or large public high school, the club you’re interested in might not exist yet. If that is the case, take the initiative and establish your own! Doing so can be a great way to develop and showcase your leadership skills, explore your interests in a more focused environment, and build a network of students with similar interests!
Some clubs operate in partnership with national organizations and charities, giving students the chance to get involved in real-world healthcare initiatives. These clubs emphasize community service, fundraising, and public health advocacy, and you can often reach out to them to found a chapter at your own school if one does not yet exist!
Red Cross Club / Red Cross Youth
The Red Cross Club provides opportunities for students to learn life-saving skills, respond to local emergencies, and engage in humanitarian service projects. Activities might include organizing blood drives, conducting CPR training, or raising awareness about disaster preparedness.
American Cancer Society
Founding or participating in a high school American Cancer Society chapter allows students to fight cancer and contribute to ongoing cancer research through fundraising events, educational campaigns, and survivor support initiatives.
Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA)
HOSA is a national organization that supports students interested in careers in healthcare. Members participate in leadership training, medical competitions, career exploration, and networking opportunities with healthcare professionals and fellow students across the country.
Relay for Life
Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. The organization raises funds and awareness for cancer research and patient care, and students can form teams, plan events, and take on leadership roles to organize local Relay for Life events.
While attending club meetings for a series of clubs is a great way to find your footing during freshman year, you should aim to take up leadership roles in one or two clubs during your junior year. This will allow you to hone in on your specific interests, develop specific skills, and demonstrate your ability to take initiative and make an impact in your community.
Intern in Your Field
Interning is an excellent way to explore a field of interest and gain valuable real-world experience. Whether you’re interested in clinical medicine, medical research, public health, or healthcare administration, seeking out hands-on experiences early can give you a competitive edge in the college admissions process and help you confirm your passion for medicine.
However, due to HIPAA regulations and age restrictions, finding a high school internship in a clinical setting can be challenging. Many hospitals and medical centers have strict policies about patient confidentiality, which may limit the type of work students can engage in. That said, there are still plenty of opportunities available if you know where to look and how to approach your search.
Shadowing
One of the easiest ways to explore different areas of medicine is through shadowing. Shadowing allows students to follow a medical professional throughout their workday, observing patient interactions, medical procedures, and daily responsibilities. This experience can provide valuable insight into what it’s really like to work in medicine. However, because shadowing is largely an observational role, students may not have the opportunity to actively contribute or make a direct impact.
To find shadowing opportunities, start by reaching out to doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals in your network. If you don’t have personal connections, consider asking your primary care physician, local hospitals, or university medical centers if they offer formal shadowing programs. Many professionals are open to mentoring students, so don’t be afraid to email or call and inquire. If a doctor you contact isn’t able to accommodate you, ask if they can put you in touch with a colleague who might be willing to help.
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“First and foremost, it’s important to start early. Even if you aren’t yet eligible for an internship at your local hospital due to age restrictions, reach out and inquire about volunteering, shadowing, or other relevant experiences that will provide any level of exposure to the medical field. By demonstrating interest and making valuable connections early in your high school career, you’ll be in a better position to secure a more advanced internship later on.”
Students should also do their research and know which questions to ask. There are two main types of high school medical internships: administrative internships and practical internships. While administrative roles—such as working at a hospital front desk or in the gift shop—can familiarize you with a medical setting, they don’t provide much direct exposure to healthcare. If your goal is to explore medicine in depth, look for patient-facing roles that allow for more hands-on involvement.
When reaching out to hospitals or clinics, ask about opportunities that involve:
- Patient interaction, such as delivering books to patients, assisting with recreational activities, or supporting hospital staff in non-clinical tasks
- Medical support, such as restocking medical supplies, organizing materials for nurses and physicians, or assisting with basic lab work
- Public health initiatives, such as volunteering at vaccination clinics, participating in health education programs, or working on community outreach projects.
Many areas of medicine do not involve direct patient care, so discovering whether you enjoy interacting with patients early on can help you determine the best career path in the long run.
Research
If clinical internships are difficult to find, consider gaining experience in medical research. Many universities, hospitals, and biotech companies offer summer research internships for high school students interested in medicine and science. Programs such as the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) and Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT allow students to learn in a hands-on environment from experienced researchers in their particular subfield. Aside from these programs, you can also pursue independent research with a medical expert by leveraging your network or reaching out online to a professor or medical researcher whose work aligns with your interests!
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“I encourage students to identify professors whose interests overlap with their own, and then reach out to post docs or graduate students to inquire about the projects they are currently working on or propose a project of their own. When it comes to pitching to potential research collaborators, it is best to be specific about one’s interests while remaining open and adaptive enough to dive into whatever project the professor may be working on. Students should have a clear and defined understanding of their area of interest and a strong ability to communicate it to others in the field.”
Check out our Q&A with Steph and other Senior Mentors to learn more about sourcing extracurricular opportunities in STEM fields!
Start a Blog or Podcast
Creating content for a blog or podcast is an excellent way for aspiring medical professionals to dive deeper into their interests, stay informed on the latest developments in healthcare, and connect with professionals in their field. Whether you focus on medical research, patient stories, healthcare policy, or innovations in medicine, producing content requires you to hone your research, writing, and communication skills—key competencies for any future doctor, researcher, or healthcare leader.
Before launching your own content, it’s helpful to research established medical blogs and podcasts. These resources can provide inspiration, introduce you to different subfields within medicine, and help you refine your own content ideas.
Top Medical Podcasts:
TED Talks Science and Medicine
Featuring talks from leading scientists, doctors, and medical innovators, this podcast covers groundbreaking discoveries, ethical dilemmas, and the future of medicine in an accessible and engaging format.
2 Docs Talk
A short-form podcast that breaks down complex medical and healthcare policy topics into digestible 15-minute discussions. The podcast is ideal for students interested in public health, healthcare reform, and medical ethics.
Intention to Treat
This podcast from The New England Journal of Medicine covers some of the most pressing, baffling, and fascinating medical issues and discoveries in the field today. The content will be beneficial for students who want to understand current trends in clinical research and medical discourse.
This Podcast Will Kill You
Hosted by epidemiologists, this podcast explores infectious diseases, their history, pathology, and societal impact in an engaging way. Students interested in microbiology, virology, and public health will find the content both entertaining and insightful.
The Undifferentiated Medical Student
Aimed at students who are unsure of which medical specialty to pursue, this podcast features in-depth interviews with practicing physicians from various specialties. It provides valuable insights into different medical careers, the day-to-day life of doctors, and the challenges of each specialty.
Top Medical Blogs:
KevinMD
One of the most widely-read medical blogs, KevinMD features articles written by physicians, nurses, and medical students discussing everything from patient care to healthcare policy. It’s an excellent resource for gaining insight into the experiences of medical professionals.
Aspiring Docs Diaries
Run by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), this blog shares personal stories and advice from medical students and aspiring doctors. It’s a great place to find motivation and practical guidance on the journey to medical school.
MedPage Today
A go-to resource for breaking medical news, MedPage Today provides daily updates on clinical research, healthcare policy, and trends in medicine. It’s particularly useful for students who want to stay informed about the latest medical advancements.
Medicine is such a broad field, and the possibilities for the type of content you can produce are endless. As you research and listen to podcasts, think about the particular niche you would most be interested in exploring, and how you might bring your own unique perspective to the content. You’ll want to find a niche that meets a demand, so as you research, ask yourself questions like: “What kind of content do I wish I could read but doesn’t exist?”
Take STEM Classes
High School Classes
While you might not be offered medicine-related courses at your school, you should take as many STEM courses as possible. The pre-med track requires the completion of courses across many STEM disciplines, including calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry. Enrolling in advanced STEM courses will therefore not only strengthen your college applications but also set you up for success in the demanding pre-med curriculum. If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, consider taking:
- AP/IB Biology
- AP/IB Chemistry
- AP/IB Calculus
- AP/IB Statistics
- Anatomy and Physiology
The MCAT also requires that students study the behavioral and social sciences, so taking the AP/IB Psychology or IB Social and Cultural Anthropology will also help you lay a basic foundation for further study during your undergraduate studies. If your school does not offer AP or IB coursework, take the most advanced courses available in these or related disciplines.
If your high school doesn’t offer certain advanced STEM courses or if you want to advance beyond the level offered at your school, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) provide an excellent opportunity to supplement your learning with college-level coursework. Platforms such as Coursera, edX, and MOOC.org offer free or low-cost courses from top universities. Keep in mind that some of the courses found on MOOCs are particularly advanced, and offered to graduate students, medical students, or even medical professionals, so be mindful of the level of course you choose to take! Alternatively, you can pursue college-level coursework through your local community college or state university through dual-enrollment programs.
Outside of pre-med courses, you should choose your classes based on your multidisciplinary passions and academic interests. For example, if you’re leading a health-focused club, organizing fundraisers for global health initiatives, or volunteering at a hospital, supplementing these experiences with academic coursework can strengthen both your knowledge and create a cohesive narrative in your application materials. You can also take courses that will help you explore the particular field of medicine you think you might be interested in pursuing, like dermatology or cardiology. This will expose you to content you wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to learn about in high school.
MOOCs
Outside of courses typically offered at your high school, you should take advantage of the plethora of courses offered on MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses. You can find moocs on sites like mooc.org and coursera.org.
You might want to take a STEM course at a higher level than offered at your high school, like organic chemistry or a higher level calculus or statistics course. This will also help you to prepare for rigorous pre-med classes you will need to take in college.
Outside of pre-med courses, you should choose your classes based on your passions and academic interests. For example, if you are working to found a health oriented club or raising money to donate to an organization seeking to end food insecurity, you may want to consider taking a nutrition course so you can learn more about the very basis of your passion project.
You can also take a course that may help you explore the field of medicine you think you might be interested in pursuing, like dermatology or cardiology. This will expose you to content you wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to learn about in high school. Some of the courses found on MOOCs are particularly advanced, and offered to graduate students, medical students, or even medical professionals, so be mindful of the level of course you choose to take!
KEY TIP:
Particularly as you advance in your coursework, orienting your course selection around the particular programs that you aspire to attend can provide a strategic direction for your academic pursuits. If you’re trying to find the right pre med program for you, check out our comprehensive guide to preparing for and selecting a pre-med program!
Participate in a Summer Program
Participating in a summer medical program is one of the best ways to gain hands-on experience, develop critical thinking skills, and build connections with medical professionals before college. Whether you’re conducting cancer research at a top hospital, studying genetics in a cutting-edge lab, or participating in clinical training, these experiences will help you solidify your interest in medicine and strengthen your college applications. For example, the Emory Summer Scholars Research Program enables students to join oncology research for six weeks during the summer months. Whether or not you want to pursue a career in oncology, gaining exposure to the cycle of translational research is crucial to understanding how medical treatments are created, from origin to development to trial, all the way through to the phase during which they reach the market and are sold to patients.
Other great summer programs for students interested in medicine include CEE’s Research Science Institute (RSI), where high school juniors complete intensive research at MIT over the summer, the Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Science Program, where students spend the summer in Bar Harbor, Maine conducting biomedical research, and Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, during which students “conduct independent research projects and attend enriching training sessions and tours designed to support their interest in the clinical side of translational research.”
If you’re passionate about medicine, start researching programs early, apply to multiple opportunities, and don’t be afraid to reach out to local universities and hospitals to see what experiences they offer. The earlier you gain exposure to the field, the better prepared you’ll be to excel in the admissions process and in a top pre-med program!
Enter a Contest or Competition
STEM and medical competitions offer opportunities to demonstrate your expertise, research skills, and dedication to the field. These competitions allow students to engage in cutting-edge scientific research, develop problem-solving skills, and even earn scholarships and national recognition, and find mentors. Further, top colleges look favorably on any prestigious awards or competitions, as they demonstrate that third-party experts in your field have evaluated and rewarded your work.
While national and international competitions can be highly competitive, don’t overlook regional and state-level competitions in your area. These local contests are great starting points and can help you build a strong foundation before competing at higher levels.
Top Medical Competitions for High School Students:
AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
If you’re fascinated by the human brain, the AAN Neuroscience Research Prize, sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), is a prestigious opportunity to showcase your research in neuroscience. Students who submit independent laboratory or clinical research projects related to brain science have the chance to win scholarships, attend the AAN Annual Meeting, and network with leading neurologists and researchers.
International BioGENEius Challenge
The International BioGENEius Challenge is a premier global competition for students passionate about biotechnology. Participants submit innovative research in fields such as biomedical science, environmental sustainability, and molecular biology. Finalists present their projects at the BIO International Convention, where they compete for cash prizes and network with biotech leaders.
Regeneron Science Talent Search
The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) recognizes students who conduct original scientific research in STEM fields, including biomedical sciences and medicine. The top 40 finalists receive a trip to Washington, D.C., where they present their research to experts in the field. Winners can earn up to $250,000 in scholarships.
Devon’s Success Story
Raised in a family of doctors, Devon* grew up surrounded by conversations about medicine, patient care, and cutting-edge research. Inspired by the impact her family members had on their community, she knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. While she had a strong academic background in advanced mathematics, she struggled to take her interests to the next level.
During her sophomore year, Devon began working with Command Education Senior Mentor Charlotte Kunesh. Charlotte encouraged her to pursue the IB Diploma, and she chose IB Physics, IB Mathematics and IB Psychology as her Higher Level courses. Outside of school, Devon worked with Charlotte to identify and secure internships for the summer after sophomore year, eventually working with her local dermatologist and at the local hospital. The following summer, Devon completed a research internship at a nearby medical school and paired her internship with an Intro to Neuroscience course online.
At school, Devon joined her school’s chapters of the National Honor Society and Science Olympiads, which she eventually became the president of her senior year. Charlotte encouraged Devon to not only pursue formal opportunities offered through her school, but to also take the initiative and execute her own independent initiatives. With Charlotte’s support, Devon founded a club whose main aim was to raise funds to donate to Alzheimer’s research, published a fact book about Alzheimer’s disease targeted towards other teens whose loved ones also received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and hosted two fun-runs, raising $10,000 dollars over the course of her high school career. By senior year, her hard work had paid off: Devon was admitted to Johns Hopkins University, where she studied neuroscience and completed the pre-med track.
“The representations made are compilations of real-life stories and experiences. Names, identifying information, stories, and experiences have been changed to protect privacy. We cannot guarantee a specific outcome, and your results may vary.”
