BESt Summer Program

The BESt Summer Program from BESt Healthcare Institute is a four-week summer program in St. Louis for high school students from the region who are interested in healthcare careers. It mixes academics, exposure to healthcare settings, and professional development. Classes work on math, science, and ACT/SAT skills, and students meet healthcare professionals through lectures and site visits. The professional development side covers personal branding, character, and leadership. Students are placed by grade: freshmen join BESt I, sophomores BESt II, juniors BESt III, and seniors take part in the Summer Internship program. Students can earn a merit-based stipend of up to $400 in BESt I and II or up to $500 in BESt III and the internship. The 2026 program ran June 22 to July 17, 2026, on WashU's Danforth Campus.

Applicants must be full-time students at a high school in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County in Missouri, or Madison or St. Clair County in Illinois. Eligibility is limited to American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and at least one extracurricular activity are required, and attendance is required for all four weeks. Apply online with an essay, a self-recorded video interview, a high school transcript, and two recommenders (math/science teachers preferred).