Regeneron ISEF Awards vs Summer at Simons
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Regeneron ISEF Awards is a competition while Summer at Simons is a internship.
| Regeneron ISEF Awards | Summer at Simons | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Internship |
| Organization | Society for Science | Simons Foundation |
| 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) | Not publicly disclosed, but estimated at 5-15% given high prestige and limited spots per center (~3-10 positions per center per summer) |
| 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) | Likely 200-500+ total applications across all centers annually, though not confirmed |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Award | $7,000,000 | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | 9th through 12th grade (high school students) | Undergraduate students and graduate/post-doctoral students only - high school students are NOT eligible |
| 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... | 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 - ... |