Regeneron STS: scholar and finalist selection rates | RISE Research

TL;DR

Regeneron STS is one of the most selective science competitions in the United States. Each year, roughly 1,800 students enter. Three hundred are named Scholars. Forty advance to Finalist status and compete in Washington, D.C. Understanding these Regeneron STS scholar and finalist selection rates helps you build a realistic preparation strategy. RISE Research gives students a peer-reviewed publication before they submit, which strengthens every component of the application. Our deadline is closing soon.

Introduction

Regeneron STS scholar and finalist selection rates sit at approximately 17% for Scholar status and 2.2% for Finalist status, making this one of the most competitive research competitions available to high school students in the United States. The Society for Science has run this competition since 1942, and it has produced more Nobel laureates among its alumni than any other pre-college science programme.

The challenge most students face is not finding the competition. It is understanding what a competitive entry actually requires. Judges do not reward a well-written summary of someone else's research. They reward original, independent scientific investigation with a clear methodology, defensible results, and a student who can speak to every decision made in the lab or field.

RISE Research prepares students for exactly this standard. Through 1-on-1 mentorship with PhD-level researchers, RISE scholars produce peer-reviewed published papers before they apply to competitions like Regeneron STS. That published paper is not just an application credential. It is evidence that the research meets an external standard of scientific validity. You can explore how to win Regeneron STS Scholar status in detail on the RISE awards page.

What is Regeneron STS and who is it for?

Regeneron STS is a national science research competition for high school seniors in the United States. It is organised by the Society for Science and sponsored by Regeneron. Students submit original independent research projects across all scientific disciplines. The top 300 are named Scholars; the top 40 are named Finalists and travel to Washington, D.C. to compete for awards totalling over $3.1 million.

The competition is open to U.S. high school seniors only. Students must submit an original research paper, a research report, and a completed application that includes essays, recommendations, and transcripts. The research must be the student's own independent work, conducted under appropriate supervision. Projects span biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, behavioural science, and earth science, among other fields.

Winning or placing at Regeneron STS carries significant weight in college admissions. Finalists and Scholars are regularly admitted to MIT, Harvard, Princeton, and other top-tier universities. The competition is widely recognised by admissions officers as a signal of genuine scientific ability, not just academic performance. You can read more about how Regeneron STS compares to ISEF and JSHS on the RISE blog.

What are the Regeneron STS scholar and finalist selection rates?

Approximately 1,800 students enter Regeneron STS each year. Three hundred are named Scholars, giving a Scholar selection rate of roughly 17%. Forty of those Scholars are then selected as Finalists, giving a Finalist selection rate of approximately 2.2% of all entrants, or about 13% of Scholars. These rates make Regeneron STS significantly more selective than most university admissions processes.

The Scholar cut is competitive but achievable with a strong research project and a well-executed application. The Finalist cut is extremely selective. Judges at the Finalist stage evaluate not just the written submission but the student's ability to defend their methodology and discuss implications in person. Students who reach Finalist status have typically conducted multi-month or multi-year research projects with clear original contributions to their field.

Acceptance rates are not officially published by the Society for Science broken down by discipline, but data from past cohorts suggests that projects in computer science and mathematics have seen strong representation among Finalists in recent years. Biology and biomedical science projects consistently represent the largest share of entries and Scholar selections. This means that a strong biology project competes in a larger pool, while a rigorous mathematics or physics project may face a comparatively smaller field at the top.

Understanding these Regeneron STS scholar and finalist selection rates matters because it shapes how you allocate your preparation time. A project that earns Scholar status is a meaningful achievement and a strong college application signal on its own. Finalist status is exceptional and should be treated as a stretch goal rather than a baseline expectation.

What do judges look for at each stage of Regeneron STS selection?

At the Scholar stage, judges evaluate the written research paper, the research report, and the application essays. The research paper must demonstrate original inquiry, a clear scientific question, a rigorous methodology, and honest analysis of results. Essays must show intellectual depth and genuine engagement with the work. Transcripts and recommendations provide supporting context but do not substitute for research quality.

At the Finalist stage, judges add a live interview component. Students present their research and answer detailed questions from a panel of working scientists. This means a Finalist must understand every decision in their project at a level that holds up under expert scrutiny. Students who relied heavily on a supervisor for experimental design often struggle here. Students who conducted the work independently and can explain every variable, control, and result tend to perform well.

The single most important factor across both stages is the quality and originality of the research itself. A project that asks a genuinely new question, uses an appropriate methodology, and produces defensible results will advance further than a technically polished project on a well-worn topic. Judges are working scientists. They recognise incremental work and they reward genuine curiosity.

RISE Research mentors are PhD-level researchers who guide students through exactly this standard. They help students identify original research questions, design sound methodologies, and produce work that can withstand expert review. The RISE mentor network includes specialists across biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and social sciences, all with publication records in peer-reviewed journals.

How RISE Research prepares students for Regeneron STS

RISE Research is a selective 1-on-1 mentorship programme where high school students produce original, peer-reviewed published research under PhD mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions. The programme runs for 10 weeks, is fully online, and carries a 90% publication success rate across 40 or more academic journals.

For Regeneron STS applicants, the RISE programme provides three specific advantages. First, a published paper demonstrates that the research has passed external peer review, which validates the methodology and results before the STS application is submitted. Second, the 1-on-1 mentorship model means the student owns every decision in the project, which prepares them for the Finalist interview stage. Third, the publication itself is a verifiable credential that appears directly in the Common App Activities section, strengthening the broader college application regardless of STS outcome.

Students who complete RISE Research and then enter Regeneron STS arrive with a research foundation that most peers do not have. They have already defended their methodology to a PhD mentor, revised their work through peer review, and produced a document that meets an external scientific standard. You can review RISE student publications to see the range of topics and journals where scholars have been published.

RISE also supports students entering related competitions. If you are researching the full landscape of science competitions, the RISE guide to winning Regeneron ISEF covers the parallel pathway for students in Grades 9 through 12.

Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

RISE Research is open to high school students targeting Regeneron STS and other selective science competitions. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what research topic and publication timeline is right for you.

How does Regeneron STS help with college admissions?

Scholar status at Regeneron STS is a strong college application signal. Finalist status is exceptional. Both demonstrate to admissions officers that a student has conducted original scientific research at a level recognised by a national panel of working scientists. This is qualitatively different from a course grade, a test score, or even an internship certificate.

Admissions officers at top-tier universities read thousands of applications from students with high GPAs and strong test scores. A Regeneron STS Scholar designation or Finalist placement is a specific, externally validated achievement that stands out in that context. It answers the question admissions officers are always asking: what has this student actually done with their academic ability?

The strongest applications combine a Regeneron STS result with a published research paper. The paper provides a verifiable record of the research itself. The STS result provides external competitive recognition. Together, they form a research narrative that is difficult to replicate through coursework or extracurricular activities alone. RISE scholars who have published research and entered competitions like Regeneron STS have achieved a 3x higher acceptance rate to Top 10 universities compared to the general applicant pool. You can review full RISE admissions results on the programme website.

Frequently asked questions about Regeneron STS scholar and finalist selection rates

How many students enter Regeneron STS each year?

Approximately 1,800 students enter Regeneron STS each year. Of those, 300 are named Scholars and 40 advance to Finalist status. The Scholar selection rate is roughly 17% and the Finalist selection rate is approximately 2.2% of all entrants. These figures are based on publicly reported cohort data from the Society for Science.

Is Regeneron STS only for seniors?

Yes. Regeneron STS is open only to students in their final year of high school (Grade 12) in the United States. Students in earlier grades who want to build toward STS should begin their research projects in Grades 10 or 11. RISE Research is open to students in Grades 9 through 12, making it a strong preparation pathway for students planning ahead.

Does winning Regeneron STS Scholar status guarantee college admission?

No programme or award guarantees college admission. Scholar status is a meaningful credential that strengthens an application, but admissions decisions depend on the full application. That said, Regeneron STS Scholars and Finalists are admitted to top-tier universities at rates well above the general applicant pool, and the designation is explicitly recognised by admissions offices at schools including MIT, Harvard, and Stanford.

What is the difference between Regeneron STS Scholar and Finalist?

Scholar status recognises the top 300 entrants based on written application review. Finalist status recognises the top 40 Scholars, who are then invited to Washington, D.C. for a week of in-person judging, interviews, and award ceremonies. Finalist status is substantially more competitive and carries larger prize awards, but Scholar status alone is a nationally recognised achievement with real admissions value.

What is the best way to improve my chances of reaching Finalist status?

RISE Research is the strongest preparation pathway for students targeting Finalist status. A peer-reviewed published paper demonstrates that the research meets an external scientific standard before the STS application is submitted. Beyond RISE, students should select a genuinely original research question, work with a qualified mentor, and plan a project timeline that allows for multiple rounds of revision. Starting early, typically in Grade 10 or 11, gives the research time to develop the depth that Finalist-level projects require. You can also read the RISE guide on building a rigorous high school profile for broader context on academic preparation.

Conclusion

Regeneron STS scholar and finalist selection rates are demanding. Roughly 17% of entrants reach Scholar status and only 2.2% reach Finalist. These numbers reflect how seriously the Society for Science takes the standard of original scientific research. They also clarify what preparation actually requires: a genuine research project, conducted independently, with a methodology that holds up under expert review.

RISE Research gives students the foundation to meet that standard. A peer-reviewed published paper, produced through 1-on-1 mentorship with a PhD-level researcher, is the most credible research signal a high school student can bring to a Regeneron STS application or a college application. RISE scholars have achieved an 18% Stanford acceptance rate, compared to 8.7% for the general applicant pool, and a 32% UPenn acceptance rate, compared to 3.8% for the general pool. You can see the full range of RISE student research projects to understand what is achievable.

Our deadline is closing soon. If you are a high school student targeting Regeneron STS and want a real research outcome on your application, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable in your timeline.