High school students interested in medicine have three main types of programs to choose from: combined BS/MD programs that offer a conditional medical school seat at the end of high school, summer pre-med programs that give a short introduction to medicine, and health science or certification courses (such as CNA training) that teach real clinical skills. Each serves a different goal. The best choice depends on how certain you are about medicine, your budget, and how much hands-on experience you want.
Option 1: Combined BS/MD programs
BS/MD (or BA/MD) programs admit students straight from high school into both an undergraduate college and a partner medical school. If you meet the program's conditions in college, such as a minimum GPA and sometimes an MCAT score, you move on to medical school without going through the regular, highly competitive application process.
How they work
- Length: usually seven or eight years total. Some accelerated programs finish in six or seven by shortening college.
- Conditions: most require you to keep a set GPA, complete certain courses, and show professionalism. Some require a minimum MCAT score; others waive the MCAT.
- Structure: you take regular undergraduate classes, often with extra seminars, mentoring, and clinical experiences reserved for program students.
The AAMC publishes an official list of medical schools offering combined baccalaureate-MD programs, organized by state and program length, through its Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) resources. That list is the best starting point. See the AAMC's MSAR page for details.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduced stress about getting into medical school later | Admission is extremely competitive |
| Possible time and money savings in accelerated programs | You commit to medicine at 17 or 18 |
| Early mentoring and clinical exposure | Usually tied to one medical school, which may limit choice |
| Freedom to explore electives without chasing a perfect application | Some programs restrict applying to other medical schools |
What applicants usually need
- Excellent grades in a rigorous course load, especially science and math
- Strong SAT or ACT scores where required
- Evidence of genuine interest in medicine, such as clinical volunteering, shadowing, or research
- Thoughtful essays about why you want to be a doctor
- Interviews, often in multiple rounds
Most BS/MD programs give preference to US citizens or permanent residents, and some favor state residents. International students should check eligibility carefully.
Option 2: Pre-med summer programs
Summer programs give high school students a taste of medicine over one to six weeks. They are run by universities, hospitals, medical schools, and nonprofit organizations.
What they usually include
- Lectures on anatomy, physiology, and disease
- Hands-on activities such as suturing practice, CPR, or simulation labs
- Hospital tours and talks from doctors and medical students
- College admissions and career guidance
- Research projects at some programs
Things to know
- Cost varies a lot. Some programs are free or need-based, especially those aimed at students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. Others charge thousands of dollars.
- Selectivity varies too. Some free programs at medical schools are very competitive. Some expensive programs accept nearly everyone.
- Admissions value is limited. Paying for a prestigious-sounding summer program will not by itself impress colleges or BS/MD committees. What matters is what you learned and what you did with it.
Look for programs run directly by a university, medical school, or teaching hospital, and ask exactly how much patient contact or research is included.
Option 3: Health science courses and certifications
Many high schools and community colleges offer career and technical education in health sciences. These courses teach practical skills, and some lead to certifications you can use to get a paid job.
Common options
| Program | What you learn | Typical age requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Basic patient care: bathing, feeding, vital signs, mobility | Often 16 or older, depending on the state |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | Emergency care and ambulance work | Often 18 to certify, though some states allow younger students to train |
| Phlebotomy technician | Drawing blood and handling samples | Often 18, varies |
| Medical assistant basics | Clinic tasks, vital signs, patient intake | Varies |
| Pharmacy technician | Medication preparation and pharmacy operations | Varies |
| CPR and first aid | Basic life support | Usually no minimum |
| Health science pathway classes | Medical terminology, anatomy, health careers | Offered in high school |
State rules control age limits and testing, so check your state's health department or board of nursing for CNA requirements.
Why these programs are valuable
- Real patient contact. Working as a CNA or EMT gives you direct experience with patients, which medical schools value highly.
- Paid work. You can earn money during high school or college while building clinical hours.
- Career testing. You find out early whether you like caring for patients day to day.
- Credibility. Admissions committees respect students who have done hands-on, unglamorous clinical work.
Other ways to get involved in high school
- Hospital volunteering. Many hospitals have teen volunteer programs, often starting at age 14 to 16.
- Shadowing. Ask family doctors, local physicians, or alumni if you can observe their work.
- HOSA (Future Health Professionals). A student organization with chapters in many high schools that runs competitions and leadership programs.
- Research. Some universities offer high school research internships.
- Science courses. Take biology, chemistry, physics, and math at the highest level your school offers.
How to choose
- Decide how sure you are about medicine. If you are certain and have a top academic record, apply to some BS/MD programs. If you are curious but unsure, start with volunteering or a summer program.
- Look at cost and value. Free and need-based programs can be as good as expensive ones.
- Favor hands-on experience. A CNA job or EMT training often teaches more than a lecture-based camp.
- Plan ahead. Many BS/MD and summer program deadlines fall in the fall or winter of the year before.
- Keep options open. Most doctors did not attend a BS/MD program. A traditional four-year college path works well too.
Thinking beyond the US
Some students will study medicine abroad, where many programs start right after high school and last five or six years. If that interests you, browse our programs directory and read about what courses international medical schools offer. Families planning ahead should also look at the cost of attending an international medical school and how hard it is to get into med school as an international student.
Key takeaways
- BS/MD programs offer a conditional medical school seat from high school but are extremely competitive and require early commitment.
- Summer pre-med programs vary widely in cost and quality; look for ones run by universities or teaching hospitals.
- CNA, EMT, and other health certifications give real patient experience and can lead to paid work.
- Volunteering, shadowing, HOSA, and strong science courses are valuable for any future medical applicant.
- Many medical programs abroad start right after high school, which is another option worth comparing.