Simons Summer Research Program vs MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Simons Summer Research Program is a summer program while MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track is a internship.
| Simons Summer Research Program | MLH Fellowship - Software Engineering Track | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Summer Program | Internship |
| Organization | Simons Foundation | Major League Hacking (MLH) |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 11-12% (40 fellows selected from ~350 applicants annually as of 2015) | Highly competitive (exact rate not disclosed); MLH notes 'overwhelming demand from students' and significantly more applicants than available projects |
| Applicants | Approximately 350 per year | Not officially published; described as receiving 'overwhelming demand' suggesting hundreds to thousands annually |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | No / International |
| Grades | High school students (primarily juniors and seniors) | Open to high school students and early-career developers; no specific grade level restriction mentioned, but intermediate to advanced coding proficiency required |
| 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 ... | Strong positive impact on college applications and career prospects: 1) Demonstrates real-world professional experience (not just school projects or tutoring), which top colleges value significantly; ... |