Summer at Simons vs Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Summer at Simons is a internship while Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a competition.
| Summer at Simons | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Internship | Competition |
| Organization | Simons Foundation | Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT |
| Acceptance Rate | Not publicly disclosed, but estimated at 5-15% given high prestige and limited spots per center (~3-10 positions per center per summer) | Approximately 8-10% (based on 8 teams selected annually; suggests 80-100+ applications per year, though exact applicant count not publicly available) |
| Applicants | Likely 200-500+ total applications across all centers annually, though not confirmed | Estimated 80-100+ schools apply annually (extrapolated from 8 selections) |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | — | $7,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | No / International | Yes |
| Grades | Undergraduate students and graduate/post-doctoral students only - high school students are NOT eligible | High school students (9-12) |
| College Impact | Summer at Simons is viewed VERY POSITIVELY by graduate admissions committees and prestigious employers. Impact includes: 1) STRONG indicator of research capability and commitment to academic career - ... | 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; ... |