MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track vs Summer at Simons
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Both are internships for high school students.
| MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track | Summer at Simons | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Internship | Internship |
| Organization | Major League Hacking (MLH) | Simons Foundation |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive (exact rate not disclosed); MLH notes 'overwhelming demand from students' and significantly more applicants than available projects | Not publicly disclosed, but estimated at 5-15% given high prestige and limited spots per center (~3-10 positions per center per summer) |
| Applicants | Not officially published; described as receiving 'overwhelming demand' suggesting hundreds to thousands annually | Likely 200-500+ total applications across all centers annually, though not confirmed |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| 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 | Undergraduate students and graduate/post-doctoral students only - high school students are NOT eligible |
| 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; ... | Summer at Simons is viewed VERY POSITIVELY by graduate admissions committees and prestigious employers. Impact includes: 1) STRONG indicator of research capability and commitment to academic career - ... |