National Achievement® Scholarship Program vs Dell Scholars Program
Comparing two highly competitive interdisciplinary opportunities. Both are scholarships for high school students.
| National Achievement® Scholarship Program | Dell Scholars Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Scholarship | Scholarship |
| Organization | National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) | Michael & Susan Dell Foundation |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 0.74% of participants became Achievement Scholars (34,000 out of 4.6 million) | Approximately 10-15% estimated (500 scholars selected annually from a likely 3,000-5,000+ applicants, though exact applicant numbers not publicly released) |
| Applicants | 4.6 million total participants over 51 years (average ~90,000 per year) | Not officially published, but highly competitive given 500 winners and national scope; likely 3,000-5,000+ applications annually |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Award | — | $20,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | Was grades 10-11 (PSAT/NMSQT testing year) | High school seniors only |
| College Impact | {'how_viewed': 'Major accomplishment showing top academic achievement; comparable to National Merit recognition', 'prestige_level': 'Achievement Scholar title was highly prestigious for college admissions', 'lasting_recognition': 'Title remained on student record and was noted in college applications throughout academic career', 'scholarship_connections': 'Many colleges specifically recruited National Achievement Scholars and offered additional financial aid', 'college_admissions_value': 'Significantly boosted applications to selective colleges; demonstrated exceptional academic merit and potential'} | 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... |