Simons Summer Research Program vs USA Physics Team (Physics Olympiad)
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Simons Summer Research Program is a summer program while USA Physics Team (Physics Olympiad) is a olympiad.
| Simons Summer Research Program | USA Physics Team (Physics Olympiad) | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Summer Program | Olympiad |
| Organization | Simons Foundation | American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 11-12% (40 fellows selected from ~350 applicants annually as of 2015) | — |
| Applicants | Approximately 350 per year | — |
| Deadline | Rolling | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | $0 |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school students (primarily juniors and seniors) | — |
| 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 ... | — |