Women’s Health Institute
    In-person Program

    Women’s Health Institute

    by Wake Forest University

    A residential medical immersion where high school students explore women’s healthcare through clinical visits, simulations and practitioner-led learning.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Women’s Health Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; good academic standing

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

    Cost

    $3,500

    Duration

    1 week

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

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

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    Medicine
    Accommodation: Required campus residence
    Meals: All meals provided
    Certificate / Outcome: Wake Forest completion certificate
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Tutors / faculty: OB/GYN academic leader

    Women’s Health Institute summary

    A clinically focused residential program covering obstetrics, gynecology, surgery and the wider professional team involved in women’s healthcare.

    Students visit clinical facilities, practice ultrasound and birthing simulations, join patient-focused simulation labs and hear from women’s health practitioners.

    It suits students who want to test a medical or allied-health interest through practical exposure before choosing a university or career direction.

    What is Women’s Health Institute?

    The Women’s Health Institute is part of Wake Forest University’s Summer Immersion Program. It introduces the breadth of women’s healthcare, including obstetrics, gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, oncology, fertility, midwifery and preventive care.

    Students learn through clinical-site visits, simulations, guest speakers and practitioner panels. The experience also highlights the roles of doctors, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, therapists, midwives, sonographers, doulas, medical students and residents.

    Why Succeed highlights Women’s Health Institute

    • Clinical visits and simulations make this more experiential than a lecture-only medical program.

    • The curriculum shows that women’s healthcare extends beyond one profession or specialty.

    • Students encounter both patient-care topics and realistic career pathways across medicine and allied health.

    • Residential campus life adds structured independence and contact with peers interested in similar fields.

    • An academic leader with active OB/GYN practice and medical-education experience anchors the program.

    Who is Women’s Health Institute for?

    Best for

    High school students seriously exploring medicine, nursing, midwifery, therapy, sonography or another career connected with women’s health.

    Not ideal if

    You want academic credit, a non-residential option or a program centered on independent laboratory research.

    Is Women’s Health Institute worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a student who wants to replace a vague interest in women’s medicine with direct exposure to specialties, clinical environments and healthcare roles. The combination of simulations, facility visits and practitioner contact offers a practical way to test career fit.

    The limitation is that this is a short, non-credit enrichment experience rather than clinical training or a guaranteed admissions advantage. Families should weigh the residential fee and travel costs against how clearly the student wants to explore this specific field.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    Cost and what is included

    $3,500; includes Residential campus accommodation, All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Academic programming and clinical simulations, Evening activities and scheduled free time, Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Accommodation

    Required campus residence

    Meals

    All meals provided

    Supervision or safety information

    Yes. All participants must live in their assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the program week, with staff providing overnight supervision.

    Provider details

    Review the Wake Forest University provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1 week; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Women’s Health Institute need?

    Effort level

    Moderate application and residential preparation.

    Best started

    Four to six weeks before applications open on 1 November.

    Main challenge

    Securing a preferred institute seat under rolling admissions.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft the two application essays around specific interests and experiences.

    • Ask an eligible teacher, counselor or administrator for a recommendation early.

    • Gather the self-reported GPA and application fee before submitting.

    • After acceptance, review residential forms, travel plans, dietary needs and the packing list.

    Useful if

    You can explain a genuine interest in women’s health and clinical careers.

    What do students do on Women’s Health Institute?

    The week moves between academic teaching, clinical exposure, simulations and guided campus activities. A typical institute day includes travel to medical facilities, specialist sessions, practical stations and an end-of-day debrief.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn how obstetrics, gynecology and related specialties support women across the lifespan.

    2. 2

      Visit Labor and Delivery, the NICU or other healthcare facilities when scheduled.

    3. 3

      Practice activities such as ultrasound techniques and birthing simulations.

    4. 4

      Explore cancer care, preventive health, fertility, midwifery and surgical topics.

    5. 5

      Interview patients or take part in women’s health simulation labs.

    6. 6

      Speak with practitioners, medical students and residents about career pathways.

    7. 7

      Return to campus for dinner, supervised activities and residential life.

    Women’s Health Institute 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

    Rolling admissions

    Applications are considered until programs fill.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    7-12 June 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    1 November 2026

    Summer 2027 application cycle.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Current students in grades 9-12

    • Good academic standing

    • No school suspensions or disciplinary issues

    • Fluent enough in English to participate

    • Home-schooled students may apply

    • International students may apply

    • Returning students must submit a new application

    How much does Women’s Health Institute cost?

    Program fee

    $3,500 — Latest verified weekly tuition.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable and due on submission.
    • Enrollment deposit: $550 — Nonrefundable once used to secure a seat.
    • Need-based scholarships: Limited — First-come, first-served provider funding.

    What's included

    Residential campus accommodation, All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Academic programming and clinical simulations, Evening activities and scheduled free time, Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion

    How to apply to Women’s Health Institute

    1. 1

      Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College application portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the online application and two essay responses.

    3. 3

      Enter a self-reported GPA; no transcript or test scores are required.

    4. 4

      Provide contact details for a teacher, counselor or administrator recommendation.

    5. 5

      Pay the nonrefundable $60 application fee when submitting.

    6. 6

      Complete the scholarship section and upload a prior-year W-2 if seeking aid.

    7. 7

      After acceptance, choose an available institute week and pay the $550 deposit.

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    What does Women’s Health Institute cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Obstetrics and birth

    Explore pregnancy care, labor and delivery, midwifery and birthing simulations.

    Gynecology and surgery

    Study gynecology, minimally invasive surgery and clinical approaches across the lifespan.

    Cancer and prevention

    Examine gynecologic oncology, breast health, cancer prevention and preventive care.

    Fertility and life stages

    Consider fertility, contraception, menstrual health and menopause.

    Healthcare careers

    Compare medical, nursing, therapy, midwifery, doula and sonography pathways.

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

    What is a typical day on Women’s Health Institute?

    A typical day during the program.

    Clinical morning

    Breakfast, travel, program introduction, guest speakers and a Labor and Delivery tour.

    Simulation afternoon

    Rotating stations may cover birthing, NICU care, cancer care and ultrasound.

    Campus evening

    Dinner, supervised activities, free time and residence-hall routines.

    Weekly pattern

    Sunday check-in, Monday-Thursday programming and Friday noon checkout.

    Who teaches on Women’s Health Institute?

    The academic leader is Dr. Oona O’Neill, an attending OB/GYN at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist with expertise in obstetrics, gynecology, vaginal and minimally invasive surgery, contraception, menstrual disorders and menopause. Students also engage with practitioners, medical students and residents working in women’s health.

    Academic leaders may be supported by Wake Forest faculty, professionals, teaching assistants and student interns.

    Where do students stay on Women’s Health Institute?

    Residential plan

    • Residence halls: All participants must stay in an assigned Wake Forest residence hall.
    • Full meal provision: All meals are provided through campus dining or catered arrangements.
    • Overnight supervision: Professional and residential staff live alongside students and remain on call.
    • Evening activities: Staff lead activities such as basketball, karaoke, s’mores and volleyball.

    Rooms may be single or double, and roommate requests are not guaranteed.

    What happens after Women’s Health Institute?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Compare women’s health careers before choosing a college pathway.

    Use clinical exposure to identify subjects for deeper study.

    Reflect on patient care across medical and allied-health roles.

    Earn a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Discuss training routes with practitioners, medical students and residents.

    Participation does not award academic credit or preferential Wake Forest admission.

    Where does Women’s Health Institute take place?

    The institute is based at Wake Forest University’s Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The sample schedule includes organized travel between campus, a hospital and the School of Medicine for clinical activities.

    Airport shuttles may be booked separately from designated airports for an additional fee.

    Women’s Health Institute FAQs

    Topics include obstetrics, gynecology, fertility, menopause, breast health, oncology, preventive care, contraception, midwifery, labor and delivery, NICU care and minimally invasive surgery.

    Published examples include Labor and Delivery and NICU visits, ultrasound practice, birthing simulations, patient interviews and simulation labs. Specific activities may change.

    The named academic leader is Dr. Oona O’Neill, an attending OB/GYN who mentors medical students and residents at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

    Yes. All participants must live in their assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the program week, with staff providing overnight supervision.

    Yes. All meals are provided during the on-campus stay through the campus dining hall or catered arrangements for off-site programming.

    No. The institute carries no secondary-school or college credit, but students who complete it receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Applicants submit two essays, one educator recommendation, a self-reported GPA and the application fee. High-school transcripts and test scores are not required.

    Yes. International students may apply and do not need a TOEFL score, but they are not eligible for Wake Forest need-based scholarships.

    Alternatives to Women’s Health Institute

    Compare these related medicine programs if you want a different campus, broader clinical focus or research emphasis.

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    Older teens seeking broad medical exploration

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    Sean Stevens

    Content 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

    • Code of Conduct
    • Wake Forest Pre-College Programs Applications
    • About the Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Wake Forest Pre-College Campus
    • Summer Immersion Program Dates | Wake Forest Pre-College
    • FAQ | Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Apply - Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Wake Forest Women's Health Institute for High School Students

    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)

    • Official institute page checked

    • Application process reviewed

    • Eligibility requirements verified

    • Tuition and fees checked

    • Residential arrangements reviewed

    • Safeguarding details checked

    • Dates assessed by cycle

    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.