Complete Guide to Premed Extracurricular Activities in Chicago

Discover top premed extracurricular opportunities in Chicago, including clinical volunteering, research programs, and patient-care experiences

Part 1: Introduction to extracurricular activities for premeds in Chicago

Part 2: Chicago fast facts

Part 3: Premed extracurriculars in Chicago

Part 4: Frequently asked questions about extracurricular activities in Chicago

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Part 1: Introduction to extracurricular activities for premeds in Chicago

Pursuing a career in medicine is a journey shaped by hands-on experiences, meaningful connections, and a deep understanding of the communities you hope to serve. While this is true in any city, it’s especially true in Chicago, a vibrant city with world-class hospitals, diverse neighborhoods, and countless opportunities for aspiring physicians to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. Whether you’re eager to volunteer, shadow healthcare professionals, dive into medical research, or engage in public health initiatives, Chicago offers an extraordinary array of extracurricular activities that can ignite your passion for medicine and set you apart on your premed journey.

In this guide, our goal is not just to list activities, but to help you discover the ones that will challenge, inspire, and prepare you for a future in medicine. From hands-on clinical roles to public health outreach and cutting-edge research, you’ll find actionable, insider advice on how to make the most of every opportunity Chicago has to offer. Let’s explore how you can build a compelling, meaningful premed portfolio in the Windy City.

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Part 2: Chicago fast facts

If you’ve got your sights set on Chicago, it can help to take a quick look at what sets this city apart from other cities. Being home to over 30 major hospitals, Chicago also hosts one of the largest free health clinics in the U.S. (CommunityHealth Chicago, which we’ve included below). 

Interestingly, Chicago played a role in the performance of one of the first heart bypass surgeries and the first successful human kidney transplant, both performed in Chicago hospitals. The city also has one of the largest and most sophisticated emergency medical services systems in the nation, where premeds can often find unique shadowing and ride-along opportunities.

State: Illinois

Population: Over 2.7 million people

Medical schools: 

• Northwestern (Feinberg)

• University of Chicago (Pritzker)

• University of Illinois College of Medicine (UIC)

• Rush Medical College

• Rosalind Franklin University (Chicago Medical School)

• Loyola University Chicago (Stritch)

We’ve also put together a comprehensive guide covering all medical schools in Illinois that may interest you! 

Learn everything you need to know to get into medical school.

Get our free 102-page guide: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat

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Part 3: Premed extracurriculars in Chicago 

If you're a premed in the Chicago area or thinking of becoming one, there are an abundance of extracurricular activities to help you achieve your medical school goals! Below, we’ve listed some thoroughly researched options to get you started. These options were carefully selected because each provides premeds with an opportunity to volunteer in a healthcare setting. We also included a selection of options, some for high school students and others for all ages. Other options are specifically for students at specific colleges. The key indicates who the opportunities are for and will help you sort out which may be the best fit for you. 

Program	UChicago Medicine
Location	Chicago, IL (Hyde Park)
Eligibility Requirements	Must be at least 16 years old Must commit to at least 6 months of service, completing 100 volunteer hours within one year (about 3 to 4 hours of service each week). B-1, B-2, H1-B, and H-4 visa holders are not eligible.
Description	This opportunity encompasses a variety of options, from offering refreshments to patients in the Cancer Center to cuddling newborns in the NICU (for volunteers 18+)! Some options—such as NICU Infant Cuddlers—provide additional training, while others are limited by time/schedule constraints (meaning volunteers can only volunteer during a set timeframe). Areas for consideration include: Comprehensive Cancer Center HELP (Hospital Elder Life Program) Hospital Welcome and Wayfinding Team NICU Infant Cuddlers HELP (Hospital Elder Life Program) Pediatric Outpatient Waiting Area Phlebotomy Volunteer Guide Playroom Recreational Volunteer Programs Surgery Waiting Room Tender Loving Care Program (TLC) Adult Inpatient Visitors

Program	MEDLIFE
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	Open to all high school and university students.
Description	MEDLIFE is a nonprofit organization that partners with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa. Student volunteers have the opportunity to create on-campus Chapters, volunteer in Service Learning Trips, and support the Moving Mountains giving program. Additionally, the organization hires and trains its volunteers to deliver high-quality patient care and support community development projects and educational workshops. Volunteering through MEDLIFE is a great way to bolster your credentials with underserved populations and can help you stand out as a compassionate applicant.

Program	UIC AHS EXITO Program (University of Illinois, Applied Health Sciences EXITO Program - Enhancing Cross-disciplinary Innovation and Training Opportunities)
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	Open to UIC undergraduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds
Description	The EXITO program offers several integrated opportunities to participants: Hands-on (paid) research training in a faculty-mentored environment in a Research Learning Community. For these opportunities, the focus is often on health disparities and inequalities. Mentorship from peer mentors, faculty mentors, EXITO Fellow sponsors, and an Urban Health Program (UHP) advisor Weekly enrichment sessions and research presentation opportunities Conference attendance to present research findings and build professional networks (EXITO fellows receive dedicated funding for conference attendance) Med school (or other health-related graduate profession) application assistance

Program	American Medical Student Association (AMSA) - Chicago chapter
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	Must be a university undergraduate student in a premed program. To join, register at AMSA’s website and select the level of membership that applies to you.
Description	AMSA is a global and student-run organization that emphasizes diversity and inclusion while providing varying membership level options and benefits for premeds, med students, and physicians. Members have the opportunity to advocate for equitable healthcare, engage in leadership training, participate in community service, and receive support for their medical education and training.

Program	Endeavor Health Volunteering
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	Age requirements vary by role, but most roles are for ages 16+ (or age 14+ at Edward and Elmhurst Hospitals) Must agree to a health screening and immunizations Background check (ages 18+) Orientation session and role-specific training
Description	Endeavor Health provides opportunities for volunteers to enhance the patient experience from the moment patients enter its facilities. While opportunities vary by location, some of the options include: Greeting patients Working alongside a therapy dog to assist patients Providing the gift of music to patients Helping patients navigate the ER and serving as a bridge between patients and care teams (e.g., nurses, doctors, and other staff members) Serving as a reassuring and calming presence in the surgical waiting room

Program	Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	You must be at least 16 years of age (18 years of age at Northwestern Memorial Hospital).
Description	Volunteers may assist with patient transport, comfort rounds, and provide administrative support in various hospital departments. Opportunities vary by location, with various options available at each facility.

Program	Rush University Medical Center
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	Must be at least 17 years of age Must be able to commit to four hours a week, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a minimum of six months, served consecutively
Description	Volunteers have the opportunity to provide supportive patient care, greet visitors, and help with hospital events and administrative tasks. All volunteers begin as Special Services volunteers. After six months of service with Special Services, you can explore department-specific volunteer opportunities. Special Services volunteers work as greeters, provide wheelchair transportation assistance, deliver flowers and crafts, conduct tours for school (and other) groups, and much more. Upon completion of time as a Special Services volunteer, you can then request to work in specific areas of the hospital.

Program	Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	(Hospital) All volunteers must be 18 years or older (unless applying to summer-only programs). (Hospital) All hospital volunteers must commit to volunteering weekly. (Summer-only program) Must be at least 16 years old by July 1 of the current year.
Description	Hospital volunteers are incorporated throughout the hospital, serving in various roles, including greeting patients and performing other outpatient responsibilities, as well as serving in play-based roles for patients and their siblings.

Program	CommunityHealth Chicago
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	Requirements, prerequisites, and schedules or commitments vary by opportunity. That said, for most opportunities, volunteers must be at least 18.
Description	CommunityHealth offers various opportunities for volunteers, both licensed and unlicensed. Unlicensed individuals can work in Health Education or Patient Care. Health Education would be for a more specialized group of people, particularly those who are bilingual and who can teach a group exercise such as yoga. Patient Care volunteers include opportunities to work as a greeter in the clinic, a lab tech, a pharmacy tech, a dental assistant, an interpreter (Polish or Spanish), or in triage. If you're a licensed volunteer, you'll have some kind of qualification like an EMT certification, perhaps your a nurse, or already a physician assistant.

Program	AmeriCorps at Erie Family Health Centers
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	Must be at least 17 years of age Must have (or be working on) a high school diploma or GED Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident
Description	AmeriCorps provides student volunteers with a $30,000/year stipend (along with deferred student loan payments) to empower communities with health knowledge. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to connect patients to resources to support their health and help them as you plan and participate in service learning events. You’ll have the chance to teach health education curriculum to students and host health promotion activities at school events. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to facilitate other projects by collaborating with Erie staff to reduce barriers to students' access to health information and services.

Program	ScribeAmerica
Location	Chicago, IL
Eligibility Requirements	In general, you must be at least 18. However, for some roles there are additional eligibility requirements, such as being bilingual. You also must take (and do well on) a typing test.
Description	ScribeAmerica offers full- and part-time positions in both bilingual and single language roles. Upon passing the required tests and onboarding requirements, you’ll be positioned to work with a Virtual Talent Assistant to begin scribing.

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Part 4: Frequently asked questions about premed extracurricular activities in Chicago

What are some of the best hospitals in Chicago for premed students to volunteer at?

Some top hospitals with established volunteer programs for premed students include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago Medicine, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. These programs allow students to interact with patients, support hospital staff, and gain exposure to a medical environment.

Can high school students in Chicago participate in medical research or shadowing?

Yes! While opportunities are more common for college students, some programs—like the Chicago Public Schools Science Fair and Chicago Botanic Garden Science Career Continuum—offer research experiences to high schoolers. Shadowing is more limited for minors, but students aged 16+ may find opportunities at certain hospitals or through networking with physicians.

Are there any public health or community health volunteer opportunities in Chicago for premeds?

Organizations such as CommunityHealth Chicago, NAMI Illinois, and the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois offer volunteer roles in public health education, mental health support, and community outreach.

Are there summer programs or internships specifically for underrepresented students in medicine?

The UIC Urban Health Program, Chicago Area Health and Medical Careers Program (CAHMCP), and Rosalind Franklin University Pipeline Programs offer mentorship, enrichment, and hands-on experiences for underrepresented minorities interested in health careers.

Are there opportunities for premed students to participate in global health or medical mission work in Chicago?

Many university chapters in Chicago, such as Global Medical Brigades at UIC and GlobeMed at Northwestern, organize international service trips and global health projects. These programs often combine fundraising, education, and hands-on health work both locally and abroad.