Science Talent Search (STS) vs SMART Scholarship Program
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Science Talent Search (STS) is a competition while SMART Scholarship Program is a scholarship.
| Science Talent Search (STS) | SMART Scholarship Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Scholarship |
| Organization | Society for Science | Department of War (DoW) |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive; specific percentage not available | Unknown - not publicly available |
| Applicants | Thousands of high school students compete through affiliated science fairs nationwide | Unknown - not publicly available |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school seniors only | Appears to be for college-bound students (exact grade level unclear from available information) |
| 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... | Theoretical impact: A full DoD-sponsored SMART Scholarship would demonstrate significant academic achievement and military/government alignment, potentially valuable for certain college applications. ... |