Internships, Research & Co-Curricular Experiences

To gauge your interest in and commitment to a medical career, in addition to your coursework you should seek opportunities to interact with people in hospitals and clinics.

Clinical Programs for Course Credit

The Public Health Department offers two courses in clinical/hospital experiences (PBH 380 Issues in Medicine and PBH 390 Health Care Ethics), each worth one course credit. In them, you will observe multiple medical specialties in Charlotte area hospitals and clinics and participate in classroom discussions related to your observations in the field. Invited speakers from various medical fields supplement the course with lectures.

Shadowing, Internships, Co-Curricular & Employment Opportunities

Shadowing experiences give you a real-world perspective on the benefits and drawbacks to modern medicine today. It allows you to interact with physicians, patients, and other health care professionals by shadowing and working with physicians in clinical or hospital settings. You also can seek advice on medical schools, classes, applications, and internships from working physicians. Shadowing is recommended to currently enrolled second semester first-year students, sophomores, junior and seniors. If you are interested in how to find shadowing opportunities, connect with the Betty and B. Frank Matthews II ’49 Center for Career Development and Handshake.

Davidson has many undergraduate research and scholarship opportunities available for students to complete faculty-guided or independent research.

The Center for Civic Engagement hosts immersive internship and fellowship programs for current Davidson College students each summer. All opportunities are in the Davidson/Charlotte area and include stipends and housing. (Summer internships, post-bac and fellowship opportunities)

The Center for Colon Cancer Research (CCCR) is seeking undergraduate students to participate in research internships in a cancer-related field (e.g., biological sciences, pharmacy, public health) during their Summer Undergraduate Minority Research Program at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. (Summer internship)

The Clinical Research Office at Valley Health/Winchester Medical Center is offering an 8-week clinical research summer internship program to rising junior and rising senior pre-med students. (Summer internship)

The Healthline Stronger Scholarship Program is awarding two graduate students $10,000 each for their commitment to making an impact on the world. Each year the focus is on a different health condition community.

The Duke University School of Medicine Summer Biomedical Sciences Institute is a medical school preparation program providing students instruction in science, medical statistics and medical writing. The program includes workshops in financial planning and health policy as well as individualized health profession advising sessions. 

The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a free (full tuition, housing, and meals included), 6-week academic enrichment program that offers first-year students and sophomores intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation. (Summer internship)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) Postbac IRTA/CRTA program (Cancer Research Training Award, in the National Cancer Institute) provides recent college graduates who are planning to apply to graduate or professional (medical/dental/pharmacy) school an opportunity to spend one or two years performing full-time research at the NIH. (Post-bac, fellowship, and gap year employment opportunities)

The Summer in Biomedical Science (SIBS) Undergraduate Research Program provides an opportunity for young people to learn the techniques of modern biology while becoming integrated members of a vibrant clinical and scientific community at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. (Summer internship)

PARAdiGM is the University of Alabama at Birmingham's NIH/NHLBI-funded summer program for outstanding undergraduates from disadvantaged and underrepresented minority backgrounds who want to explore future careers as physician-scientists (scientific investigators and practicing physicians). (Summer internship)

The Summer Scholars Program at Wake Forest University allows students to become immersed in research projects in faculty labs, receiving appropriate guidance from their faculty mentors and graduate or post-doctoral students in the labs. (Summer internships, post-bac and fellowship opportunities)

The Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program is an opportunity for students interested in an M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree to scrub in for surgeries, work on independent research projects, and receive mentorship from current M.D. and/or Ph.D. students. (Summer internships)

Science Enrichment Preparation (SEP) at UNC Chapel Hill is a program for students to take medical school prerequisite courses, receive standardized test prep, do clinical research shadowing, and network with people in admissions. (Summer internships, post-bac opportunities)

The UNC Chapel Hill Master's Degree Program in Literature, Medicine and Culture is a collaboration between the UNC Health Campus and the Humanities Program. (Post-bac opportunities)

Scientific Program Analyst (NIH) is a science administration position that requires a good understanding of genetics. It is directed towards students interested in applying to graduate or medical school. (Summer internships)

In the Harvard-Amgen Scholars Program, students conduct research in fields of biotechnology under supervision of Harvard faculty members and postdoctoral students. Students also take part in pre-professional development seminars and workshops. 

Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER) is an 8-week residential research, education and mentoring experience at the University of Chicago. (Summer internships, post-bac and fellowship opportunities)

The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) Combined Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity is a non-credit, 10-week, highly structured research experience sponsored by the UMMS Office of School Services. Research opportunities consist of hands-on, laboratory research with an investigator serving as mentor, role model, and adviser. (Summer internships)

The Fred Hutch Summer Undergraduate Biomedical Research Program is a 9-week summer internship designed to provide research experience and mentorship for undergraduate students. (Summer internship)

The Pediatric Oncology Education Program at St. Jude's Children's Hospital Cancer is an opportunity for pre-med students to participate in biomedical and oncology research and participate in clinical conferences and lectures. Prior research experience required. 

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) at UIC College of Pharmacy allow students to work on their own research projects in the labs of faculty mentors. Fellows also attend professional development seminars, visit Hospira R&D campus, tour UIC research facilities, and participate in workshops on advanced scientific techniques. Application is available for sophomores or juniors majoring in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields. 

The Research Assistant Position, National Institute of Mental Health, Emotional Development Branch, Section on Bipolar Spectrum Disorders allows students to conduct research on pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of mental illness using computer statistical analysis programs. Duties include preparing blood samples and working with patients during outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy. Students who apply should have plans to apply to graduate or medical school. For graduating seniors. 

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA/Drew Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free residential summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in health professions. UCLA/Drew SHPEP gives students the opportunity to meet and work with other students whose interests in health professions parallel their own. Students will have the opportunity to work with expert faculty and staff who are eager to mentor students and share knowledge in their individual fields. Eligible applicants are admitted on a rolling basis. Applying early increases your chances of being selected at your preferred program site. 

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Pre-medical/Pre-dental Enrichment Program (UCLA PREP) is a non-residential program designed to provide pre-medical and pre-dental students from disadvantaged backgrounds with a means of strengthening their ability and readiness to study medicine or dentistry. As a result of full participation in UCLA PREP, participants should have enhanced their chances of being accepted to medical or dental school and succeeding once there. 

UCLA Re-Application Program (UCLA RAP) offers a comprehensive, structured re-application program designed to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission to any U.S. medical school. RAP is an 11-month program that is conducted in two sessions. UCLA RAP is a member of the University of California Post-baccalaureate Consortium. 

The Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research is an NIH-sponsored summer pipeline program held on the University of Chicago campus. Students apply from around the country to participate in a rigorous, mentored and highly supportive experience and are provided with on-campus housing as well as a generous stipend. Participants in the program are rising college seniors or students rising into a post baccalaureate program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have Permanent Resident status. The program seeks students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or represent groups that are known to be underrepresented in health-related sciences and medicine. It is necessary to complete the online application to be considered for the program.

The Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program (UCRIP) is a summer program that allows undergraduate students interested in careers in medicine the opportunity to spend 8-10 weeks at Vanderbilt conducting research and observing clinical patient care at an academic medical center. Students may pursue basic science, clinical, or translational research projects. In addition to participating in research, participants benefit from clinical observation opportunities, which allows students to gain an understanding of how academic medicine teams function and start to gain some very foundational knowledge about body systems and disease processes.

Courier Program is an 8-week service learning program focusing on providing exposure to rural and underserved communities in Appalachia. Couriers will work on public health and primary care initiatives.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at University of Massachusetts Medical School is a 10-week, structured research experience consisting of 'hands-on' laboratory research working with a research mentor. You must be 18 years old to apply.

Vanderbilt University Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship is an 8- to 10-week program in which students conduct research and observe clinical patient care. Students must have GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

The Child Health Research Internship at the University of Colorado allows students to work in labs for nine weeks under faculty mentors. Students will participate in research seminars once a week and will be required to write summaries of their research experiences by the end of the summer. Rising seniors in high school, undergraduate students, graduate students, and medical students are eligible.

University of Alabama at Birmingham Summer in Biomedical Sciences offers stipends to students to support them as they conduct laboratory research under faculty mentors and present their results at the Summer Research Expo at the end of the summer. This opportunity is open to sophomores and juniors.

Youth Health Equity Model of Practice Program offers public health fellowships that provide students with hands-on experiences through placements with different organizations focused on health equity and disparities. Students may be placed with government agencies, healthcare delivery organizations, health equity councils and more. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students are eligible to apply.

Summer Internship–Genetics Assistant at Rees Skillern Cancer Institute is an opportunity to be part of the genetic team at the Cancer Institute. Students will be exposed to cancer genetics, pedigree development, multidisciplinary case conferences, and planning medical care. Open to pre-med, biology or genetics majors.

Brody School of Medicine–Summer Biomedical Research Program is an intensive program that provides undergraduates with hands-on research experience. Students will also participate in career building activities including professional school mock interviews and personal statement writing workshops.