Simons Summer Research Program vs Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Simons Summer Research Program is a summer program while Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a competition.
| Simons Summer Research Program | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Summer Program | Competition |
| Organization | Simons Foundation | Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 11-12% (40 fellows selected from ~350 applicants annually as of 2015) | Approximately 8-10% (based on 8 teams selected annually; suggests 80-100+ applications per year, though exact applicant count not publicly available) |
| Applicants | Approximately 350 per year | Estimated 80-100+ schools apply annually (extrapolated from 8 selections) |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | — | $7,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school students (primarily juniors and seniors) | High school students (9-12) |
| 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 ... | 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; ... |