My D did a medical NSLC a few years ago and it was very worthwhile. It is indeed a pay-to-participate, but it has a good reputation. It exposed her to many health professions and helped her hone her interest in pre-med. She learned many different aspects of the health sciences fields and did a lot in hospitals, classrooms, cancer research center, etc. Drilled eyeballs in the surgery section. Kids from all over the country and from overseas were in her section (at Univ of Washington). She stays in touch with many of them. It was very worthwhile for her. So if there is a program that is in alignment with your interests, take a look (if you can afford it). Other kids from our high school have done the same program and every single one loved it. This program (medical & health sciences) was a real deal.