In-person Program

    Surgery High School Course

    by Summer Springboard

    A hands-on introduction to surgical medicine covering suturing, simulation, operating-room teamwork, technology, specialties, and career pathways.

    Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Surgery High School Course
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    Surgery High School Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closed

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Berkeley; New Haven

    Cost

    $2,498-$5,998

    Duration

    1-2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    MedicineMedicine & Healthcare

    Accommodation: Residential or commuter

    Meals: All meals residential; lunch commuter

    Certificate / Outcome: CPR/AED certification

    Sessions / cadence: 5 x 4-hour or 9 x 3-hour

    Tutors / faculty: Practicing surgeons and residents

    Campus experience: Dorms, excursions and workshops

    Surgery High School Course summary

    This is an introductory surgical-medicine course built around practical exercises, realistic models, medical simulation, and insight into how operating-room teams work.

    Students explore specialties including general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, robotic surgery, and minimally invasive procedures while learning about medical school and residency pathways.

    It suits students testing a serious interest in medicine who want practical exposure and career insight before committing to a longer academic pathway.

    What is Surgery High School Course?

    The Surgery High School Course is a Summer Springboard academic program introducing surgical concepts, specialties, skills, technology, and career pathways. It is delivered on campuses in Berkeley and New Haven through separate one-week and two-week course formats.

    Students practice techniques such as suturing and sterile procedure, use training models for medical simulations, and examine operating-room teamwork and protocols. Mentorship, guest speakers, and course-related excursions connect classroom learning with the work and training of surgical professionals.

    Why Succeed highlights Surgery High School Course

    • The curriculum combines surgical theory with suturing, sterile technique, instrument use, and realistic simulation.

    • Students explore multiple specialties rather than receiving a narrow view of one surgical career.

    • Practicing surgeons, residents, and experienced perioperative educators provide career and training insight.

    • Course schedules preserve substantial academic time while adding excursions, speakers, and campus activities.

    • CPR/AED certification gives students a defined practical outcome alongside career exploration.

    Who is Surgery High School Course for?

    Best for

    Students seriously exploring medicine who want supervised practical exercises, specialty exposure, and a realistic introduction to surgical training.

    Not ideal if

    You want clinical placement, patient contact, formal medical credit, or advanced surgical training rather than an introductory pre-college experience.

    Is Surgery High School Course worth it?

    The course can be worthwhile for students who want to test whether surgery genuinely interests them. Practical skill-building, simulation, professional mentorship, and exposure to training pathways offer more insight than passive career research alone.

    Its value depends on using the experience to reflect and pursue deeper study afterward. The exercises remain introductory and simulated, so the program should not be mistaken for clinical training or a direct admissions advantage.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $2,498-$5,998; includes Academic course and course-specific excursions, Residential lodging and all meals, Commuter lunch and weekday programming, Residential weekend excursions where specified, CPR/AED certification.

    Accommodation

    Residential or commuter

    Meals

    All meals residential; lunch commuter

    Provider details

    Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1-2 weeks; Berkeley; New Haven.

    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 programs

    How much preparation does Surgery High School Course need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high academic intensity.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before applications are expected to close, allowing time for forms, funding, travel, and medical documentation.

    Main challenge

    Absorbing unfamiliar clinical concepts while applying precise techniques safely.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic human anatomy and common surgical specialties before attending.

    • Practice following multi-step instructions carefully and working collaboratively.

    • Prepare questions about medical school, residency, and daily surgical work for instructors and mentors.

    Useful if

    You have a solid biology foundation and are comfortable learning in teams.

    What do students do on Surgery High School Course?

    Students move from introductory surgical concepts to guided practical work, simulation, career exploration, and course-related excursions or speakers.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and minimally invasive specialties.

    2. 2

      Practice suturing, sterile technique, and safe handling of surgical instruments.

    3. 3

      Use realistic training models to simulate procedures and clinical decisions.

    4. 4

      Study operating-room roles, protocols, communication, and teamwork.

    5. 5

      Examine robotic surgery and other surgical technologies.

    6. 6

      Discuss medical school, residency, and career pathways with surgical professionals.

    7. 7

      Join course-specific excursions, guest-speaker sessions, or academic activities.

    Surgery High School Course dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications open

    Fall 2026

    Summer 2027 programs; exact date not announced

    Reference date

    Final admission

    17 May 2026

    General Summer 2026 admission deadline

    Reference date

    Berkeley Session 1

    14-25 June 2026

    Two-week Surgery course

    Reference date

    Yale Session 2

    21-27 June 2026

    One-week Surgery course

    Reference date

    Yale Session 3

    28 June-4 July 2026

    One-week Surgery course

    Reference date

    Yale Session 5

    12-18 July 2026

    One-week Surgery course

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students in Grades 9-12

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent

    • Grade 8 completed before the program starts

    • Starting high-school students may apply

    • Recent high-school graduates may apply

    • English proficiency required for international students

    • Essential Eligibility Criteria must be met

    How much does Surgery High School Course cost?

    Yale tuition

    $2,498-$4,298 — Commuter and residential first-week options

    Funding or discounts

    • Berkeley tuition: $3,298-$5,998 — Commuter and residential options
    • Course supplement: $250 — Mandatory Surgery supplement
    • Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and non-refundable
    • Deposit: $600 — Placed during application
    • Need-based scholarship: Up to 30% or 60% — Residential or commuter tuition respectively
    • Eligible discounts: 5% — Selected family and enrollment categories

    What's included

    Academic course and course-specific excursions, Residential lodging and all meals, Commuter lunch and weekday programming, Residential weekend excursions where specified, CPR/AED certification

    How to apply to Surgery High School Course

    1. 1

      Open the official application portal and enter basic contact information.

    2. 2

      Verify the email address and sign in to the application dashboard.

    3. 3

      Complete the account details and select Create New Application.

    4. 4

      Choose the campus, session, Surgery course, and tuition type.

    5. 5

      Enter the student's contact information with the student present.

    6. 6

      Complete the remaining application and place the required deposit and fee.

    7. 7

      Submit requested supporting documents or English evidence when applicable.

    8. 8

      Wait for the enrollment decision, normally issued within five to seven business days.

    What does Surgery High School Course cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Surgical specialties

    Explore general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and minimally invasive specialties.

    Core surgical skills

    Practice suturing, sterile technique, and safe instrument use.

    Operating-room practice

    Study team roles, protocols, communication, and real-time operations.

    Simulation and technology

    Use training models and examine robotic and minimally invasive surgery.

    Career pathways

    Learn about medical school, residency, and surgical career routes.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Surgery High School Course?

    A typical day during the program.

    Yale classes

    Five four-hour classes run 9am-1pm, Monday-Friday.

    Berkeley classes

    Nine three-hour classes run 9am-12pm across two weeks.

    Academic activities

    Excursions, guest speakers, labs, workshops, or recreational activities follow classes.

    Residential program

    Dinner, clubs or activities, free time, and dorm checks complete the day.

    Who teaches on Surgery High School Course?

    The Berkeley course is designed and coordinated by Dr. Anna Zhao, a general surgery resident at UCSF, with additional teaching from residents in several surgical specialties. The Yale course page identifies perioperative nurse educator Melanie Hamilton, MSN, RN, CNE, CNOR, CRNFA, as its instructor.

    The broader program states that faculty are selected for subject expertise and their ability to challenge and engage students.

    Where do students stay on Surgery High School Course?

    Residential plan

    • University housing: Students share gender-separated dorm areas with roommates and common bathroom facilities.
    • Meals and excursions: Residential tuition includes all meals, lodging, academic excursions, and specified weekend activities.
    • Pastoral support: Staff live in the residences, with round-the-clock support and controlled-access security.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter option: Commuters receive lunch, classes, excursions, and weekday programming until approximately 5pm.

    Room details differ by campus: Yale describes shared traditional rooms with communal bathrooms, while Berkeley describes shared dorm rooms with common bathrooms.

    What happens after Surgery High School Course?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Earn CPR/AED certification.

    Clarify whether a surgical career matches your interests.

    Understand medical school and surgical residency requirements.

    Build foundational suturing, sterile-technique, and teamwork skills.

    Explore specialties for deeper study in medicine and healthcare.

    The course is introductory and does not provide clinical qualification or patient-care authorization.

    Where does Surgery High School Course take place?

    The course has campus variants in Berkeley, California, and New Haven, Connecticut. Students use campus classrooms, dining and residential facilities, while course-specific excursions may connect learning with simulation centers, medical institutions, or professional facilities in the surrounding region.

    Summer Springboard operates independently of the named campus partners unless explicitly stated otherwise.

    Surgery High School Course FAQs

    You will explore surgical specialties, basic operating-room procedures, teamwork, medical simulation, and technologies such as robotic and minimally invasive surgery. The course also introduces medical school and residency pathways.

    Yes. Published activities include suturing, sterile technique, safe instrument use, training-model procedures, and clinical decision-making exercises.

    The documented faculty include a general surgery resident, residents from several specialties, and an experienced perioperative nurse educator. The program also describes mentorship and interaction with practicing surgeons.

    Yes. Commuter tuition options include the academic course, lunch, excursions, and weekday programming. Residential options add lodging, all meals, and specified evening or weekend activities.

    Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, all meals, excursions, and specified weekend programming. Airport pickup and drop-off are optional paid services.

    The course information states that every student earns CPR/AED certification.

    Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent and must have completed Grade 8 before the program begins. International applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency.

    No clinical placement or patient-care role is described. The experience uses guided exercises, simulations, training models, mentorship, and professional-site exposure as an introduction to surgical medicine.

    Alternatives to Surgery High School Course

    Compare these related medicine programs if you want a broader medical, biological, or healthcare experience.

    Alternatives to Surgery High School Course

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    Best for

    Students wanting broad pre-med exploration

    View details

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • 2026 HS 2-week Surgery V5
    • Announcements | Promotions | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Terms & Conditions | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Summer Springboard in Berkeley - Summer Program for High School Students
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Summer Surgery Program for High School Students at Yale
    • Summer Surgery Program for High School Students at Yale
    • Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Surgery | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)

    • Course format checked

    • Campus options verified

    • Tuition reviewed

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Schedules cross-checked

    • Application process checked

    • Policies 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.