Regeneron Science Talent Search vs MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track

Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Regeneron Science Talent Search is a competition while MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track is a internship.

Regeneron Science Talent Search MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track
Prestige Tier Tier 1 — Elite Tier 2 — Highly Competitive
Type Competition Internship
Organization Society for Science Major League Hacking (MLH)
Acceptance Rate Approximately 0.2-0.3% (2% of ~2,000 applicants become Top 40 finalists; 15% become Top 300 scholars). Highly selective with ~2,000 projects submitted annually. Highly competitive (exact rate not disclosed); MLH notes 'overwhelming demand from students' and significantly more applicants than available projects
Applicants Approximately 2,000 projects submitted per year; historically 147,000 students have competed since 1942 Not officially published; described as receiving 'overwhelming demand' suggesting hundreds to thousands annually
Deadline 2026-11-05 Rolling
Cost to Apply Free Free
US Only Yes No / International
Grades High school seniors only Open to high school students and early-career developers; no specific grade level restriction mentioned, but intermediate to advanced coding proficiency required
College Impact Regeneron STS is considered one of the most prestigious high school science competitions and carries significant weight in college admissions, particularly for top-tier universities (Ivy League, MIT, ... 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; ...