<p>That’s true, the Siemens competition and others are conveniently scheduled so that the final results are known before most regular action deadlines. I think the initial judging results (specifically for Siemens, this is) are out a little before the end of October, but even if early applicants could make it it wouldn’t be much to show off.</p>
<p>Still, this wouldn’t apply to more than a few hundred applicants (assuming that the losers don’t talk about their projects), so the competition difference wouldn’t be that significant.</p>