See medicine up close, for two weeks.
Clinical shadowing in San Diego for high school students curious about medicine.
HIGH SCHOOL CLINICAL SHADOWING — SAN DIEGO
A safe, structured observational program for high school students curious about medicine. Real neurosurgery clinic exposure, supervised access, and meaningful experience before they commit to pre-med.
$1,500 · 2 weeks · Strictly observational
2 weeks
program length
Neurosurgery
outpatient clinic
Supervised
at all times
Certificate
on completion
For parents
What we want you to know before your child applies.
Strictly observational, fully supervised
No hands-on patient interaction. Your child is accompanied by trained staff throughout every clinical session, with a clear scope of activities.
HIPAA training before they start
We provide HIPAA training that your child completes before their first day, so they understand patient privacy and clinical conduct.
Parent consent required
A parent or guardian signature is required on all program documents. You'll review everything your child will be doing before they start.
Outpatient clinic only
No operating rooms, no inpatient units, no acute settings. Your child observes in calm, well-controlled outpatient clinic environments.
What your child will experience
Observe patient consultations: Sit in on real neurosurgery visits and see how physicians work with patients.
Interact with the medical team: Talk with physicians, PAs, and clinical staff about their careers.
Neurosurgery focus: A focused look at one of medicine's most complex specialties.
A real day in medicine: Understand the day-to-day reality before committing to a pre-med path.
Why this matters for college applications.
Most high school students never see real medicine before applying to pre-med programs. Genuine clinical exposure, the kind that comes from shadowing physicians rather than a volunteer shift, sets your child apart. They'll write more authentic application essays, ask sharper questions in interviews, and start college with a clearer sense of whether medicine is the right path.
What you'll need
Parent or guardian signed consent
Letter of interest (student's own)
Student or school ID
Proof of current high school enrollment
Letter from teacher or school counselor
Vaccination & TB test records
Pricing
High School Clinical Shadowing
$1,500 / 2 weeks
Parents frequently ask
Is my child supervised the entire time?
Yes. Your child is accompanied by trained staff throughout every clinical session, and there is no hands-on patient interaction at any point.
What exactly will my child be doing each day?
Observing real neurosurgery consultations, talking with physicians, PAs, and clinical staff about their careers, and seeing the day-to-day reality of medicine in calm outpatient clinic settings.
How does this help college applications?
Genuine clinical exposure helps your child write more authentic application essays, ask sharper questions in interviews, and begin college with a clearer sense of whether medicine is the right path.
What age range do you accept?
The program is open to current high school students. Proof of current high school enrollment is required to apply.
Our Mentors
SDNeurosurgery is Dr. Kevin Yoo’s practice, with 20+ years of experience in San Diego and a holistic approach to advanced spine and brain care. Dr. Yoo and the SDN team deliver personalized treatment using modern techniques and compassionate support from consultation through recovery.
Kevin Yoo, MD
United States
Dr. White provides expert neurosurgical care for brain, spine, and nervous system conditions. The SBNS team delivers personalized treatment using the latest technology to help patients regain health and improve quality of life.
Daniel White, MD
United States
Dr. Kern Brar provides personalized primary care and wellness services. Lien-based urgent care 24/7 for personal injury cases via telemedicine or in-person visits. Dedicated attending physician services for Skilled Nursing Facility patients.
Kern Brar, MD
United States
Dr. Marsh’s Chiropractic Corporation offers comprehensive, team-based care including chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. Their bilingual team provides personalized treatment plans focused on mobility, pain relief, and long-term wellness.
Paul Marsh, D.C., Q.M.E.
United States
What did our interns say?
A structured, hands-on clinical training experience in active San Diego medical practices, designed to prepare you for medical or PA school with real skills, real mentorship, and a clear path to a paid position.
I’ve had a very positive experience interning at the neurosurgery office. The team has been welcoming, professional, and supportive, and I’ve learned a great deal about patient care, clinical workflow, and the importance of communication in a medical setting. I appreciate the opportunity to observe and contribute in such a collaborative environment, and this experience has further strengthened my interest in the healthcare field.
Alexis Taing
Internship
I began my journey at MSK MSO as an MA Trainee, where I was first introduced to the clinical side of healthcare. Over time, I had the opportunity to cross-train across multiple specialties, including primary care, physical therapy, and neurosurgery, which broadened both my clinical knowledge and perspective on patient care. As I continued to grow through these experiences, I was promoted to Intern and now serve as a Head Intern, allowing me to further develop my leadership and mentorship skills.
Through MSK MSO, I have built meaningful connections with numerous physicians and gained unique hands-on experiences, including the opportunity to work in a cadaver lab. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities, mentorship, and experiences that MSK MSO has provided me throughout my journey.
Ana McKenna
Internship
I started this internship during the fall semester of my senior year of college, and three years later I now serve as a full-time lead at San Diego Neurosurgery. The experience has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, giving me hands-on exposure through placing pedicle screws in a cadaver lab, joining providers for rounding consults, and scrubbing in for surgeries. I've also grown into a leadership role mentoring interns who were once in the same position I started in, while building close relationships with patients through continuity of care.
This internship offers a unique avenue for students during their gap year to mature while preparing for medical school applications, surrounded by peers facing similar challenges like the MCAT, gaining clinical experience, and navigating the application cycle. As I prepare to apply to medical school this cycle, I can confidently say this internship provided the foundation that strengthened my application, and I would highly recommend it to any student seeking meaningful clinical exposure, mentorship, and growth.
Cameron Patton
Internship
I've been with MSK MSO for the past 9 months, starting as an MA trainee at SDN, and working at SDN has been such a great experience overall. The environment is really supportive and I've had the chance to learn so much by rotating through different specialties like neurosurgery, internal medicine, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.
Being exposed to all these areas has helped me build a strong foundation in patient care and understand how different providers work together to treat patients. I've also developed important skills like communicating with patients, assisting in clinical settings, and thinking more critically in real patient situations. Overall, it's been an amazing learning experience that has really helped me grow and prepare for a future in healthcare.
Nadia Wisal
Internship
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