Thinking Pre-Med? Competitions You Should Know About

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This post is part of our Competitive Academic Series, where we highlight programs, competitions, and experiences that help high school students explore future careers and build real credentials along the way.

#1: HOSA - Future Health Professionals (Competitive Events)

• What it is: HOSA is a huge international organization for students interested in health careers. High school members can compete in events that range from medical terminology and pathophysiology to CPR/first aid, public health, and health education projects.

• Why it’s good for pre-med students:

  • Lets you try on different parts of medicine (clinical skills, knowledge tests, teamwork events).

  • You get real competition experience at regional, state, and even international levels.

  • Great way to meet other students who are also serious about health careers.

#2: USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)

• What it is: A national biology competition that starts with an open online exam and can lead all the way to national camps and international competition. It’s not strictly “pre-med,” but biology is the backbone of almost everything you’ll study later in medicine.

• Why it’s good for pre-med students:

  • Pushes you far beyond school bio, which makes future science classes way less scary.

  • Shows you whether you actually like deep, detailed science learning.

  • Recognized and respected by colleges, especially for STEM and pre-med tracks.

#3: American Academy of Neurology (Student / Neuro Events)

• What it is: The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) offers student-focused opportunities like neuroscience competitions, quizzes, and outreach programs through local chapters and events. These often focus on brain health, neurological disorders, and how neurologists diagnose and treat patients.

• Why it’s good for pre-med students:

  • Direct exposure to neurology, one of the most fascinating and complex specialties.

  • Helps you learn how doctors think about symptoms, diagnostics, and the nervous system.

  • Some programs connect you with real professionals, which can lead to mentorship or shadowing-style experiences.

#4: International Brain Bee (Neuroscience Competition)

• What it is: The Brain Bee is a neuroscience competition for high schoolers where you study brain structure, function, and diseases, then compete at local, national, and international levels.

• Why it’s good for pre-med students:

  • Gives you a focused window into how doctors think about brain health and behavior.

  • Helps you build strong science recall and case-style thinking.

#5: Genes in Space

• What it is: Genes in Space is a national competition where students design a DNA or genetics experiment that could actually be run in space. Yes, like… on the International Space Station.

• Why it’s good for pre-med students:

  • Gets you thinking like a real researcher: forming hypotheses, designing experiments, and connecting biology to real-world problems.

  • Genetics is central to modern medicine (think personalized medicine, cancer, rare diseases), so this gives you a head start.

  • Even if you don’t win, going through the process gives you an amazing project to talk about in future applications.

#6: Harvard Vision Global Health

• What it is: Harvard Vision Global Health focuses on global health issues and public health innovation. High school students can join conferences, challenges, or competitions centered around solving real health problems in communities around the world.

• Why it’s good for pre-med students:

  • Shows you the big picture of health: not just individual patients, but systems, access, and equity.

  • Helps you understand how medicine connects with policy, economics, and social issues.

  • Great for students who are interested in being doctors and advocates, researchers, or public health leaders.

#7: Science & Health Research Fairs (ISEF, JSHS, etc.)

• What they are: Competitions like Regeneron ISEF, JSHS, or local science fairs let you design your own research project in biology, neuroscience, global health, medical tech, or psychology and present it to judges.

• Why they matter:

  • You learn how to read scientific papers, gather data, and explain your findings.

  • You can anchor your project in something pre-med: disease, treatment, public health, biotech, etc.

  • Even if you never win, you walk away with real research experience and story material.

At Eddo, we’re committed to helping students like you stay organized, discover new opportunities, and plan for the future with confidence.

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