Penn Medicine Summer Program - Cecilia's Version

PENN MEDICINE
SUMMER PROGRAM

A medical field immersion

UNLIKE ANY OTHER HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER

The Penn Medicine Summer Program is a unique immersion opportunity for Juniors and Seniors with keen interest in the medical field to learn and interact with peers and medical professionals at a world-class facility.

See what our participants have to say:

STAY INFORMED

PENN MEDICINE Summer Program
for High School Students

Spend four weeks at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine intensive summer program designed for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in the medical field. Modeled after actual first year Penn Med classes, you’ll gain exposure to the basics of medical training including practical experiences, simulations and live demonstrations. Plus, you’ll live the life of a college student on Penn’s campus, located in University City in Philadelphia, PA. Experience dorm life, campus living, attend incredible hands-on sessions, lectures and classes, and make life-long friends!

The high-tech, jaw-dropping learning spaces at Penn Medicine are every medical student’s dream. You’ll learn from highly accredited doctors and faculty at Penn Medicine who are involved throughout the program. Students may even get to observe a live surgery. This is a highlight, but cannot be guaranteed. If the live surgery is not possible, a doctor will walk the students through a recorded surgery step by step, explaining exactly what is being done at every interval. As the doctors share their stories, the paths they took to settle into their field, and highlight the many diverse opportunities in medicine, this program will certainly highlight just how rewarding it is when you chase your dream, follow after your passion, and do what you love.

Jonathan Szeto’s Experience

“The program is a really good opportunity to get exposure to a field that is somewhat difficult to access, especially for someone who is younger…”

Jonathan attended BOLD’S PennMed program during the summer of 2017 and spoke about his experience and perspective on what it is like to be younger…

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (Summer 2025)

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY:
You must be entering Grade 11 or 12 in September 2025.
You must have completed a High School Level Biology class prior to start date.

THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE POSTED DEADLINE IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED:

Extracurricular Activities Honors and Awards Essay Question

School Information Academic Transcripts Recommendation Letters

The Admissions process follows a fixed timeline.

Application opens: Late November

Application closes: Late February
(email info@boldsummers.com if you have any questions)

Decisions announced by email on or before early April

Experience Your Summer
at THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

At the Penn Med Program, you may:

Learn CPR techniques, first aid and emergency care
Learn to suture & tie surgical knots
Learn to identify lung and heart sounds
Learn to perform skin biopsies
Learn to draw blood, start an IV, and perform a spinal tap
Learn minimally invasive surgical techniques
Attend labs in gross anatomy, pathology, microbiology and urine analysis
Watch either a live or simulated surgery
Learn from over 20 doctors and clinicians in multiple specialties

Typical Day at the PENN Medicine Summer Program

Typical Schedule

7:45 AM – Rise and Shine
8:15 AM – Breakfast
9:30 AM – Morning Sessions

12:00 PM – Lunch

1:30 – Afternoon Sessions

5:30 PM – Announcements
6:15 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Evening Activities

Campus Life at PENN Medicine

The Penn Med Hospital, Doctors, and Faculty

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania was the nation’s first medical school! The high-tech, jaw-dropping learning spaces at Penn Medicine are every student’s dream.

You’ll learn from the highly accredited Penn Medicine doctors and faculty, who are involved throughout the program. Current medical students support small groups during the practical learning sessions to ensure correct techniques with one-on-one assistance.

The Penn Summer Program was everything I could have imagined. From captivating lectures and awe-inspiring labs, to forging friendships that will remain forever.

JORDI P.

Student

PENN MEDICINE
SUMMER PROGRAM

A medical field immersion

STAY INFORMED FOR SUMMER 2025

“These 4 weeks at Penn Medicine Summer Program has been an inspiring and captivating experience; not only do we have access to the Penn Medicine and Medical School resources, but also we get to hear lectures given by Penn Medicine professors and doctors, who are all passionate about their works and willing to provide guidance and mentorship. Even our TAs - who are all current medical students - envy us as we have the opportunity to gain exposure to knowledge and skills they haven't even encountered yet.”

“This experience for my son is hard to put into words - he texted me during the program and said “Mom- I am so grateful to you. This is the best thing I have ever done.” Between the relationships he made with other students from this country and others, the hands-on lab work and the lectures with accomplished professors, this program has solidified any doubt he had about becoming a physician.”

“The program is very fantastic because it provides a great exposure to all the career fields in medicine. It does a great job in teaching students theoretical knowledge as well as gives practical experience. We had a good balance between play and work, allowing students to have the best of both worlds.”

“My son absolutely loved every moment of this program. The hands on experience and getting to meet doctors from different fields made him even more sure he wanted to go into medicine. He made so many friends and had a great time every weekend on the excursions. Highly recommend this to any high schooler. Wonderful experience.”

“I would definitely recommend this experience to other students as it gives students the opportunity to be open to different specialities in medicine. You would be able to interact with medical students and doctors that work around UPenn. This program also allows you to be interactive with other students who are international and engage in fun activities during the evening, and take trips on the weekend as well. 10/10 summer program!!!”

“The staff was amazing! From the application process, all the way through leaving for home after 4 weeks, everyone was super helpful! I was scared to let my daughter go away for so long away from home, but the staff was amazing and very comforting. The frequent dilates and pictures were a blessing!”