Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) 2026 vs Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Both are competitions for high school students.
| Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) 2026 | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Competition |
| Organization | Stanford University | Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT |
| Acceptance Rate | 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. | Approximately 8-10% (based on 8 teams selected annually; suggests 80-100+ applications per year, though exact applicant count not publicly available) |
| Applicants | Estimated 6,000-8,000 students apply nationally (exact figures not published) | Estimated 80-100+ schools apply annually (extrapolated from 8 selections) |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | — | $7,000 |
| Cost to Apply | $0 | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school students only (grades 9-12) | High school students (9-12) |
| College Impact | 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... | 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; ... |