Regeneron ISEF Awards vs PROMYS
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Regeneron ISEF Awards is a competition while PROMYS is a summer program.
| Regeneron ISEF Awards | PROMYS | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Summer Program |
| Organization | Society for Science | Boston University |
| Acceptance Rate | 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) | Approximately 15-20% (estimated based on ~80 admitted from several hundred applicants; exact figures not publicly disclosed) |
| Applicants | 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) | Several hundred annually (exact number not publicly available) |
| Deadline | — | — |
| Award | $7,000,000 | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | $0 |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | 9th through 12th grade (high school students) | High school students entering grades 9-12 |
| College Impact | 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... | PROMYS attendance is viewed very favorably by college admissions officers, particularly at selective institutions. It demonstrates: genuine passion for mathematics, intellectual rigor, ability to succ... |