Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center High School Student Summer Internship
The Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center's Stanford Summer Internship is designed to educate high school students considering careers in science and medicine in cardiothoracic surgical anatomy and physiology as well as surgical techniques that will be utilized in pre-medical and medical training.
The program is an intensive course that will provide knowledge of and exposure to basic and advanced cardiothoracic surgery and technical skills (e.g., knot tying, dissection, suturing, coronary artery bypass graft, and cardiac valve replacement). Lectures and laboratory sessions are conducted and supervised by Stanford University faculty, surgical residents, and staff.
Throughout this course, the emphasis is placed on interactive learning to achieve the following goals:
- Understand principles of cardiac and thoracic diseases and surgery
- Provide hands-on practice of fundamental surgical skills
- Practice key cardiothoracic surgical techniques
Location(s)
- Remote
Schedule
- Program 1: June 22 - July 3, 2026
- Program 2: July 13 - July 24, 2026
Cost/Compensation
- $95 application fee (non-refundable)
- $4,500 program fee
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be age 16 or older on the first day of the program
- Must be able to attend all sessions in the program
Deadline
- March 31, 2026
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed online application
- A resume
- An official copy of transcript from your most recent high school
- Official results of PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores (if available, not required)
- Short essay: We strongly encourage you to share unique and/or challenging factors in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment or life or work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. Please limit to 500 words.
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation (there are no restrictions as to who can provide a recommendation letter as long as the referee can speak to why the applicant is appropriate for the program)
Notifications of Decisions
- By the end of April
- By the end of April
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
Stanford Medicine is an umbrella for the world-renowned medical enterprise of Stanford University, which includes the top-ranking Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, and Stanford Children's Health. Stanford Medicine's mission is to advance human health through research, education, and patient care. The organization is committed to discovering new medical knowledge, training the next generation of physicians and scientists, and providing world-class care to patients. Stanford Medicine is home to over 1,800 faculty members who conduct groundbreaking research in a wide range of medical specialties, from basic science to clinical practice. The organization is also closely affiliated with several top-ranked hospitals and medical centers, including Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, which provide patients with access to the latest medical treatments and technologies.
