Dell Scholars Program vs Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Comparing two highly competitive interdisciplinary opportunities. Both are scholarships for high school students.

Dell Scholars Program Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Prestige Tier Tier 2 — Highly Competitive Tier 1 — Elite
Type Scholarship Scholarship
Organization Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Acceptance Rate Approximately 10-15% estimated (500 scholars selected annually from a likely 3,000-5,000+ applicants, though exact applicant numbers not publicly released) Extremely competitive; estimated 1-3% acceptance rate (specific data not publicly disclosed)
Applicants Not officially published, but highly competitive given 500 winners and national scope; likely 3,000-5,000+ applications annually Hundreds of applicants annually across all categories (exact number not publicly disclosed)
Deadline Rolling
Award $20,000 $100,000
Cost to Apply Free Free
US Only Yes Yes
Grades High school seniors only Must be in high school or younger (any grade level acceptable as long as under 18)
College Impact The Dell Scholars Program is highly regarded in college admissions and demonstrates significant commitment to college completion. Colleges and universities view Dell Scholars selection as meaningful v... Davidson Fellows is viewed with extremely high regard by college admissions officers at top universities. Winning or being named a finalist demonstrates exceptional achievement and intellectual capabi...