Application deadline
9 November 2026
Student application and teacher assessment must both be received.
In-person Program
MEDscienceLAB
A hands-on biomedical laboratory and clinical simulation program connecting patient testing, research methods, and medical diagnosis at Harvard Medical School.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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MEDscienceLAB at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; age 16+
Age range / Year group
Ages 16-18
Location / Region
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Cost
$2,250; $2,800
Duration
4 or 5 days
Format
In-person
BiologyMedicineScience
Meals: Lunch and snacks included
Certificate / Outcome: Certificate of Completion
Campus experience: Simulation and research labs
Team model: Laboratory teams of 3
Tutors / faculty: Healthcare and research professionals
MEDscienceLAB summary
MEDscienceLAB connects laboratory research with clinical medicine through patient testing, experiments, and medical simulation.
Students work in teams to interpret tests, investigate disease, and practice DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA.
It best suits students seriously exploring biotechnology, biomedical science, laboratory research, or medicine through practical work.
What is MEDscienceLAB?
MEDscienceLAB is a hands-on HMS MEDscience program connecting biotechnology, biology, and medicine. Students move between medical simulation and research laboratories to understand how patient tests inform diagnosis and treatment.
Participants conduct experiments with patient samples, interpret test results, and collaborate in teams of three. Instruction includes DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA, alongside career conversations with healthcare and research professionals.
Why Succeed highlights MEDscienceLAB
It connects laboratory techniques directly to simulated patient care rather than teaching them in isolation.
Students practice four named clinical research techniques: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA.
Small teams analyze tests and make diagnostic and treatment decisions together.
Healthcare and research professionals add credible career context through teaching and MEDchats.
The Harvard Medical School simulation and research laboratories create an unusually focused practical environment.
Who is MEDscienceLAB for?
Best for
High-school students who want intensive, practical exposure to biomedical laboratory work and its role in patient diagnosis.
Not ideal if
You want a residential experience, academic credit, a transcript, or a program centered mainly on lectures and independent study.
Is MEDscienceLAB worth it?
MEDscienceLAB offers substantial practical value for a student testing whether biomedical research or laboratory medicine feels like the right direction. Named techniques, patient-sample experiments, simulation, and professional contact make the experience more concrete than a general medicine taster.
The main limitation is logistical: it is a short, non-residential experience, and families must arrange travel and supervised accommodation. It is most worthwhile when the student will reflect on the techniques and career insights afterward rather than treating attendance alone as an application credential.
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Founder, Succeed
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,250; $2,800; includes Scrubs, All program materials, Lunch, Snacks.
Meals
Lunch and snacks included
Provider details
Review the Harvard Medical School provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 or 5 days; Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does MEDscienceLAB need?
Effort level
Moderate application; intensive full-day participation.
Best started
Begin four to six weeks before 9 November 2026.
Main challenge
Coordinating the teacher assessment by the same deadline.
Typical preparation
Choose preferred sessions before beginning the application.
Draft and revise the three essay responses early.
Ask an eligible teacher or mentor for the assessment well in advance.
Confirm that both application parts appear as received in Regpack.
Useful if
You enjoy collaborative experiments and medical problem-solving.
What do students do on MEDscienceLAB?
Students follow a medical case from simulated patient care into laboratory investigation, using experimental results to understand diagnosis and treatment.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Meet the interactive patient in the medical simulation laboratory.
- 2
Collect the case information needed to guide laboratory investigation.
- 3
Perform experiments using patient samples.
- 4
Practice DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA.
- 5
Analyze test results in teams of three.
- 6
Use the evidence to diagnose and consider treatment.
- 7
Meet professionals and explore biomedical career pathways through MEDchats.
MEDscienceLAB dates and deadlines
Upcoming
February School Break — 4-day session
16-19 February 2027
March School Break Session 1 — 4-day session
8-11 March 2027
March School Break Session 2 — 5-day session
15-19 March 2027
March School Break Session 3 — 4-day session
22-25 March 2027
April School Break — 4-day session
20-23 April 2027
Applications open
1 October 2026
Opening of the 2027 School Break application.
Admission notification
1 December 2026
Admission decisions are sent by email.
Enrollment payment
10 December 2026
Deadline for accepted students to enroll and pay.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 9 November 2026 | Local | Upcoming | Save deadline |
February School Break — 4-day session | 16-19 February 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
March School Break Session 1 — 4-day session | 8-11 March 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
March School Break Session 2 — 5-day session | 15-19 March 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
March School Break Session 3 — 4-day session | 22-25 March 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
April School Break — 4-day session | 20-23 April 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Applications open | 1 October 2026 | Local | Past | |
Admission notification | 1 December 2026 | Local | Upcoming | |
Enrollment payment | 10 December 2026 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Enrolled in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12
At least age 16 when the session begins
International students may apply
Alumni may only choose an uncompleted program
How much does MEDscienceLAB cost?
Four-day program fee
$2,250 — Includes scrubs, materials, lunch, and snacks.
Funding or discounts
- Five-day program fee: $2,800 — Includes scrubs, materials, lunch, and snacks.
- Scholarships: Partial to full — Limited need-based support for eligible Greater Boston students.
What's included
Scrubs, All program materials, Lunch, Snacks
How to apply to MEDscienceLAB
- 1
Create one account in the official Regpack application system.
- 2
Complete student details, program and session choices, three essays, and parental consents.
- 3
Enter a teacher's name and email so the assessment form is sent automatically.
- 4
Ask the teacher to submit the assessment by the application deadline.
- 5
Check the application status page to confirm both parts were received.
Next step with Succeed
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What does MEDscienceLAB cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Clinical laboratory techniques
Practice DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA.
Patient-sample investigation
Conduct experiments and analyze how laboratory tests support patient care.
Medical simulation
Use an interactive patient scenario to connect testing with diagnosis and treatment.
Biomedical careers
Meet professionals and explore research, public health, and biomedical science pathways.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on MEDscienceLAB?
A typical day during the program.
Standard day
Full-day laboratory and simulation activities.
First day
Students arrive earlier on the opening day.
Final day
The last program day finishes earlier.
Who teaches on MEDscienceLAB?
Students learn alongside healthcare and research professionals and meet experts through MEDchats. The broader School Break program also identifies Harvard Medical School staff and expert healthcare professionals as instructors and contributors.
Professional perspectives include research, public health, and biomedical science.
Where do students stay on MEDscienceLAB?
Non-residential plan
- Program model: Students attend during the day and stay off campus.
- Local supervision: Students must stay with a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.
- Campus learning: Teaching uses Harvard Medical School simulation and research laboratories.
- Daytime meals: Lunch and snacks are included in the program fee.
Families are responsible for housing and travel.
What happens after MEDscienceLAB?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Apply practical laboratory techniques to later biology or medicine study.
Use the experience to evaluate clinical research career interests.
Build evidence of teamwork, communication, and scientific problem-solving.
Receive a Certificate of Completion with full attendance.
Explore research, public health, and biomedical science pathways.
The program is not for credit and does not provide a transcript.
Where does MEDscienceLAB take place?
MEDscienceLAB meets in the Armenise Building at Harvard Medical School, 210 Longwood Avenue in Boston. Students use medical simulation and research laboratory facilities during the program.
The program is non-residential, so families arrange daily travel and local accommodation.
MEDscienceLAB FAQs
Students learn how laboratory research supports clinical medicine. Practical work includes patient-sample experiments, test interpretation, DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA.
No. Families arrange housing and travel, and students staying locally must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.
The usual day runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time. Students arrive at 8:30 AM on the first day, and the final day ends at 2:00 PM.
Yes. The fee includes scrubs, all program materials, lunch, and snacks.
Admission is competitive and considers the student's essays and teacher assessment. Transcripts and a minimum GPA are not required.
Yes. International students may apply, and the school-break programs are short-term and not for credit.
No. The program states that there are no textbooks, homework, or tests.
Students who attend every program day receive a Harvard Medical School MEDscience Program Certificate of Completion. No transcript or academic credit is provided.
Alternatives to MEDscienceLAB
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Online Registration Software for MEDscience School Break Program 2027
- School Break Program Overview — HMS MEDscience
- MEDscienceLAB — HMS MEDscience
- School Break Program FAQs — HMS MEDscience
- Summer Program FAQs — HMS MEDscience
- Application, Fees, Scholarship — HMS MEDscience
- MEDscienceLAB — HMS MEDscience
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Program page checked
Registration dates verified
Session dates cross-checked
Eligibility reviewed
Fees and inclusions checked
Scholarship terms reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
MEDscienceLAB
by Harvard Medical School
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