Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences vs Regeneron ISEF Awards
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences is a summer program while Regeneron ISEF Awards is a competition.
| Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences | Regeneron ISEF Awards | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Summer Program | Competition |
| Organization | MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions | Society for Science |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 5-10% based on estimated 60-120 applications for 6 spots (highly competitive but not as selective as top national programs like RSI or TASP) | Approximately 1,600-1,700 finalists compete at ISEF annually out of significantly larger pool competing at 365+ affiliated fairs; roughly 600 finalists receive awards/prizes (37.5% of finalists awarded) |
| Applicants | Estimated 60-120 annually (exact numbers not disclosed by MD Anderson) | Over 1,600 finalists selected annually from 365 Society-affiliated fairs across 60+ countries and territories; total number competing at all affiliated fairs globally is much larger (tens of thousands) |
| Deadline | Rolling | — |
| Award | $7,200 | $7,000,000 |
| Cost to Apply | $0 | Free |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | High school seniors only (current seniors during spring semester before program start) | 9th through 12th grade (high school students) |
| College Impact | This program has SIGNIFICANT positive impact on college admissions, especially for students pursuing health professions. Admissions officers view it as: (1) Evidence of serious commitment to healthcar... | Reaching Regeneron ISEF as a finalist is extremely prestigious in college admissions and carries significant weight. Top colleges (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, etc.) view ISEF participation highly favor... |