MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track vs Regeneron ISEF Awards
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track is a internship while Regeneron ISEF Awards is a competition.
| MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track | Regeneron ISEF Awards | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Internship | Competition |
| Organization | Major League Hacking (MLH) | Society for Science |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive (exact rate not disclosed); MLH notes 'overwhelming demand from students' and significantly more applicants than available projects | 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 | Not officially published; described as receiving 'overwhelming demand' suggesting hundreds to thousands annually | 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 | — | $7,000,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | Open to high school students and early-career developers; no specific grade level restriction mentioned, but intermediate to advanced coding proficiency required | 9th through 12th grade (high school students) |
| College Impact | Strong positive impact on college applications and career prospects: 1) Demonstrates real-world professional experience (not just school projects or tutoring), which top colleges value significantly; ... | 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... |