Camp · Academic · Ages 16–17
Directory · United States · California · Stanford
▌ Academic · Ages 16–17

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)

Palo Alto · ★ 4.5 (93 reviews)

A summer research program for high school students at Stony Brook University, where they engage in hands-on research...

▌ Editor's read The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week residential program for high school sophomores and juniors from Northern and Central California. Established in 1988, the program has been operating for 36 years and is designed for low-income and underrepresented minority students interested in health careers. Participants engage in college-level courses, clinical rotations, and research projects at Stanford University. The program is free for all selected students, covering tuition, room, board, and transportation. Google reviews for SMYSP are overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 5.0 stars from 16 reviews, praising its life-changing impact and excellent mentorship. The program is not listed as ACA accredited. The website does not mention specific staff-to-student ratios or background check policies for staff.
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Since 199036+ years operating
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University programRun by an academic institution
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 16–17

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in academic, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
1990 (36 years)
Operator
University program
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Academic
  • Ages: 16–17
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 291 Campus Dr, Stanford, CA 94305
  • Phone: (650) 723-7844
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: The program is free to attend. Students receive a stipend upon completion.

↗ What parents like

  • Free research program
  • Work with university faculty
  • Receive a stipend

↘ Watch for

  • Applications for 2026 are closed
  • Only for rising seniors

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: indoor

Frequently asked about Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)

What ages does Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) accept?
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is open to children ages 16–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) cost?
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. The program is free to attend. Students receive a stipend upon completion. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)'s hours?
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)?
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is operated by a university program, with 36 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) provide lunch?
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) compare to other academic camps in Stanford?
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is one of 54 academic camps in Stanford that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

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