Simons Summer Research Program vs Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Both are summer programs for high school students.
| Simons Summer Research Program | Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Summer Program | Summer Program |
| Organization | Simons Foundation | MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 11-12% (40 fellows selected from ~350 applicants annually as of 2015) | Approximately 5-10% based on estimated 60-120 applications for 6 spots (highly competitive but not as selective as top national programs like RSI or TASP) |
| Applicants | Approximately 350 per year | Estimated 60-120 annually (exact numbers not disclosed by MD Anderson) |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | — | $7,200 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | $0 |
| US Only | Yes | No / International |
| Grades | High school students (primarily juniors and seniors) | High school seniors only (current seniors during spring semester before program start) |
| College Impact | Highly positive impact on college admissions. Summer research programs, especially prestigious ones like the Simons program, are viewed very favorably by college admissions officers because: (1) They ... | This program has SIGNIFICANT positive impact on college admissions, especially for students pursuing health professions. Admissions officers view it as: (1) Evidence of serious commitment to healthcar... |