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Pre-College Healthcare Academy

Innovation in Healthcare

Prepare for a future in healthcare with the world’s No.1 hospital.

The Pre-College Healthcare Academy is a two-week residential program for high school students offering a rare opportunity to step inside the No. 1 hospital in the world to explore what a future in healthcare truly looks like. Set in Rochester, Minnesota—the famed ‘Med City,’ home to Mayo Clinic and a global center for patient care, discovery and education for more than a century—the Academy gives students ages 15-18 access to the same environments where pioneering research, breakthrough care and world‑class medical training take place every day.

Students will go beyond traditional classroom learning to explore real medical challenges, examine core scientific concepts and develop critical thinking skills essential for future careers in medicine and healthcare. They will hear directly from Mayo Clinic physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals, gaining an insider’s perspective on how multidisciplinary teams work together to deliver world-class patient care. By the end of the program, students will have a deeper understanding of healthcare systems, greater confidence in pursuing STEM and pre-med studies and a clear view of the many careers in medicine and healthcare available at Mayo Clinic and beyond.

The inaugural 2026 cohort is limited to 100 seats, reserved for ambitious teens with an interest in STEM and a curiosity about medicine who would like to learn alongside clinicians, scientists and educators at Mayo Clinic.

Dates

July 12-24, 2026

Duration

2 Weeks

Eligibility

Ages 15 to 18
High school students grades 10-12
and graduating seniors
residing in the United States

Tuition and Scholarships

$7,695 includes housing, all meals,
course materials and social activities.
Limited Scholarships available.
Flexible Payment Plans available to all.

Accommodations

University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)
Located in downtown Rochester, MN
one block from Mayo Clinic

Questions

Click here to read the program FAQ or speak with our admissions team: info@healthcare.edconic.com

What Students Gain

By the end of the program, students will:

Experience immersive, small group workshops that connect emerging healthcare concepts to hands on exploration, reflection, and skill development
Understand how healthcare systems function across roles and disciplines
Gain exposure to innovation and emerging careers in healthcare
Develop confidence, curiosity, and professional skills
Clarify educational and career pathways within healthcare
Leave with a tangible project demonstrating their learning and growth
Earn a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science to add to resumes and college applications

Guest Speakers include Mayo Clinic physicians, scientists and professionals such as:

Surgeons and Operating Room support roles
Pharmacists
Audiologists
Administration Fellows
Researchers
Imaging Technologists
Residents and current Mayo Clinic students

Discover the Pre-College Healthcare Academy

Gain real-world exposure to medicine, build lasting friendships and experience what a future in healthcare can truly look like at the Academy. Students live in campus housing at University of Minnesota Rochester, located just steps from classrooms at Mayo Clinic. Days are spent engaging in interactive workshops, applied learning experiences, and guided exploration of healthcare roles, connecting the science and practice of medicine to real world challenges. Evenings offer time to connect with peers, experience campus life and take part in curated social activities. Together, these academic and residential experiences create an immersive introduction to healthcare education and career pathways within the collaborative world of modern healthcare.

Lead Instructor: Wes Price

Wes Price is a Board Certified Medical Illustrator with over 25 years professional experience in science visualization and education. In the 1990’s, Wes Price earned a BFA in Scientific Illustration from the University of Georgia, and then his MS in Medical Illustration from Augusta University.

In 2016, Price moved to Grenada to serve as faculty in the Anatomical Sciences Department at St. George’s University School of Medicine. He helped create the Center for BioMedical Visualization at SGU, which continues to be a dynamic faculty collective within the Department of Anatomical Sciences. In 2022, Price moved back to the United States to become the Senior Director of Biomedical and Scientific Visualization under the Education Shield at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.