MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track vs Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track is a internship while Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 is a scholarship.
| MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track | Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Internship | Scholarship |
| Organization | Major League Hacking (MLH) | Ron Brown Scholar Program |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive (exact rate not disclosed); MLH notes 'overwhelming demand from students' and significantly more applicants than available projects | Estimated 5-10% acceptance rate based on prestige tier 1 classification and $40,000 award amount (highly competitive, exact rate unavailable) |
| Applicants | Not officially published; described as receiving 'overwhelming demand' suggesting hundreds to thousands annually | Likely 500-2,000+ applicants annually (specific number not available) |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | — | $40,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | No / International | Yes |
| Grades | Open to high school students and early-career developers; no specific grade level restriction mentioned, but intermediate to advanced coding proficiency required | High school seniors (12th grade, graduating class of 2026) |
| 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; ... | The Ron Brown Scholar Program is viewed very favorably by college admissions officers and is recognized as a prestigious national scholarship. Winning this scholarship demonstrates: (1) Academic excel... |