Science Talent Search (STS) vs Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) 2026
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Both are competitions for high school students.
| Science Talent Search (STS) | Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Competition |
| Organization | Society for Science | Stanford University |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive; specific percentage not available | Approximately 10-13% based on ~800 participants selected from ~6,000-8,000 estimated applicants (extrapolated from tournament size and typical math competition application rates). School teams have higher acceptance rates than individuals. |
| Applicants | Thousands of high school students compete through affiliated science fairs nationwide | Estimated 6,000-8,000 students apply nationally (exact figures not published) |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Cost to Apply | Free | $0 |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school seniors only | High school students only (grades 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... | Math competitions like SMT carry MODERATE TO STRONG college admissions weight, particularly for STEM-focused students. Impact includes: (1) DEMONSTRATES MATHEMATICAL PASSION: Shows genuine interest be... |