Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams vs Simons Summer Research Program
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a competition while Simons Summer Research Program is a summer program.
| Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams | Simons Summer Research Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Summer Program |
| Organization | Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT | Simons Foundation |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 8-10% (based on 8 teams selected annually; suggests 80-100+ applications per year, though exact applicant count not publicly available) | Approximately 11-12% (40 fellows selected from ~350 applicants annually as of 2015) |
| Applicants | Estimated 80-100+ schools apply annually (extrapolated from 8 selections) | Approximately 350 per year |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | $7,000 | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school students (9-12) | High school students (primarily juniors and seniors) |
| College Impact | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is viewed very favorably in college admissions, particularly for STEM programs. Selection as an InvenTeam demonstrates: (1) exceptional innovation and problem-solving ability; ... | Highly positive impact on college admissions. Summer research programs, especially prestigious ones like the Simons program, are viewed very favorably by college admissions officers because: (1) They ... |