Regeneron Science Talent Search vs PROMYS
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Regeneron Science Talent Search is a competition while PROMYS is a summer program.
| Regeneron Science Talent Search | PROMYS | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Summer Program |
| Organization | Society for Science | Boston University |
| 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. | Approximately 15-20% (estimated based on ~80 admitted from several hundred applicants; exact figures not publicly disclosed) |
| Applicants | Approximately 2,000 projects submitted per year; historically 147,000 students have competed since 1942 | Several hundred annually (exact number not publicly available) |
| Deadline | 2026-11-05 | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | $0 |
| US Only | Yes | No / International |
| Grades | High school seniors only | High school students entering grades 9-12 |
| 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, ... | 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... |