Science Talent Search (STS) vs Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Both are competitions for high school students.
| Science Talent Search (STS) | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Competition |
| Organization | Society for Science | Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive; specific percentage not available | Approximately 8-10% (based on 8 teams selected annually; suggests 80-100+ applications per year, though exact applicant count not publicly available) |
| Applicants | Thousands of high school students compete through affiliated science fairs nationwide | Estimated 80-100+ schools apply annually (extrapolated from 8 selections) |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Award | — | $7,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school seniors only | High school students (9-12) |
| College Impact | The Regeneron Science Talent Search is among the most prestigious science competitions and significantly impacts college admissions. Finalists are nationally recognized and receive considerable presti... | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is viewed very favorably in college admissions, particularly for STEM programs. Selection as an InvenTeam demonstrates: (1) exceptional innovation and problem-solving ability; ... |