Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) 2026 vs PROMYS
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) 2026 is a competition while PROMYS is a summer program.
| Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) 2026 | PROMYS | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Summer Program |
| Organization | Stanford University | Boston University |
| 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 15-20% (estimated based on ~80 admitted from several hundred applicants; exact figures not publicly disclosed) |
| Applicants | Estimated 6,000-8,000 students apply nationally (exact figures not published) | Several hundred annually (exact number not publicly available) |
| Deadline | Rolling | — |
| Cost to Apply | $0 | $0 |
| US Only | Yes | No / International |
| Grades | High school students only (grades 9-12) | High school students entering grades 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... | PROMYS attendance is viewed very favorably by college admissions officers, particularly at selective institutions. It demonstrates: genuine passion for mathematics, intellectual rigor, ability to succ... |