Dell Scholars Program vs Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS) - Get Involved
Comparing two highly competitive interdisciplinary opportunities. Both are scholarships for high school students.
| Dell Scholars Program | Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS) - Get Involved | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Scholarship | Scholarship |
| Organization | Michael & Susan Dell Foundation | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation / Gates Millennium Scholars Program |
| 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) | Approximately 3-5% (extremely competitive) |
| Applicants | Not officially published, but highly competitive given 500 winners and national scope; likely 3,000-5,000+ applications annually | Estimated 50,000-80,000+ applications annually |
| Deadline | Rolling | — |
| Award | $20,000 | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school seniors only | High school seniors and current college freshmen/sophomores (varies by year) |
| 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... | Gates Millennium Scholars is viewed as ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS scholarships by college admissions officers and employers. Being named a GMS Scholar significantly enhances college applications (tho... |