No one would argue against the importance of writing. Writing expresses who we are as individuals; writing makes our ideas, thoughts, and memories visible. For students, writing is the primary basis upon which one’s learning and development are assessed, whether it is a book review for an English class, a research brief for a STEM class, or the college admissions essays. Writing is undeniably one of the most important skills any student must master.
Becoming a better writer takes time and practice--you have to keep writing, a lot. There are no shortcuts or secret formulas. While some students may be more talented with writing, writing is first and foremost a skill that can be honed, developed, and perfected. “Keep writing” is easier said than done, however. For the majority of students who are not passionate writers, how can you stay motivated and disciplined to keep writing?
Participate in writing contests! There are many writing contests for students from kindergarten to high school, with different types of awards from medals to cash prizes to scholarships. No matter what the award is, participating in writing contests will push you to stay focused and keep improving. Moreover, the prestige of a respected award will certainly boost your college application profile, giving you an edge in a selection process that is fiercely competitive.
Contrary to conventional belief, you don’t have to be a humanities enthusiast to participate in these writing contests. There is a great variety of topics to choose from: history, supernatural, foreign affairs, STEM, business, and even restaurant reviews! The categories range from poetry to play to academic essay. No matter what your academic interest is or where your writing skills shine, there is a writing contest for you. Below is our carefully curated list of the best student writing contests. Find the ones that fit your interest and skill set and start writing!
Contests of Essays and Reviews
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Organization: Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Category: 28 categories, including critical essays, journalism, personal essay, among others
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: $1,000 to $10,000
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up)
Wharton Youth Comment & Win Contest
Organization: U of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business
Category: Review and reflection
Subject/topic: Entrepreneurship, economics, leadership, business, finance and careers
Award Amount: Recognition from Wharton
Deadline: 4 rounds from June to August
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Bennington Young Writers Awards
Organization: Bennington College
Category: 3 categories, including personal or academic essay, poetry, play
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: $125 to $500
Deadline: Usually in November
Eligibility: Grades 10-12
The American Foreign Services Association Essay Contest
Organization: American Foreign Services Association
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: International relations and foreign affairs
Award Amount: $1,250-$2,500
Deadline: Usually April
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest
Organization: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: An act of political courage by a US elected official
Award Amount: $100-$10,000
Deadline: Usually January
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
We the Students Essay Contest
Organization: Bill of Rights Institute
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Government, democracy, civics, public policy, among others
Award Amount: $500-$7,500
Deadline: Usually February
Eligibility: Ages 14-19
Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest
Organization: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Category: Audio essay
Subject/topic: Democracy and patriotism
Award Amount: $1,000-$30,000
Deadline: Usually October
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest
Organization: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: American history, society, and citizenship
Award Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: Usually October
Eligibility: Grades 6-8
John Locke Essay Competition
Organization: John Locke Institute
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology and law
Award Amount: $2,000 to $10,000
Deadline: Usually June
Eligibility: Ages 18 and under
New York Times STEM Writing Contest
Organization: The New York Times
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Science, technology, engineering, math or health
Award Amount: None
Deadline: Usually February
Eligibility: Ages 11-19
New York Times Summer Reading Contest
Organization: The New York Times
Category: Review and reflection
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: None
Deadline: June to August
Eligibility: Ages 11-19
New York Times Student Review Contest
Organization: The New York Times
Category: Review and reflection
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: None
Deadline: Usually January
Eligibility: Ages 11-19
New York Times Personal Narrative Writing Contest
Organization: The New York Times
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: None
Deadline: Usually November
Eligibility: Ages 11-19
New York Times Editorial Writing Contest
Organization: The New York Times
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: None
Deadline: Usually April
Eligibility: Ages 11-19
New York Times Review Contest
Organization: The New York Times
Category: Review
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: None
Deadline: Usually January
Eligibility: Ages 11-19
EngineerGirl Writing Contest
Organization: National Academy of Engineering
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Engineering
Award Amount: $100-$500
Deadline: Usually February
Eligibility: Grades 3-12
SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
Organization: Journalism Education Association
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Journalism
Award Amount: $300-$1,000
Deadline: Usually February
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
YoungArts’ National Arts Competition
Organization: National YoungArts Foundation
Category: Multiple categories, including writing, art, and music
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: Usually October
Eligibility: Grades 10-12 or ages 15-18
NCTE Student Writing Awards
Organization: National Council of Teachers of English
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Varies
Award Amount: None
Deadline: Usually February
Eligibility: Grade 11
NCTE Promising Young Writers Awards
Organization: National Council of Teachers of English
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: None
Deadline: Usually February
Eligibility: Grade 8
World Historian Student Essay Contest
Organization: World History Association
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: History
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: Usually May
Eligibility: Grades K-12
Jane Austen Society Essay Contest
Organization: Jane Austen Society of North America
Category: Essay
Subject/topic: Jane Austen’s works
Award Amount: $250-$1,000
Deadline: Usually June
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Contests of Poetry, Play, and Fiction
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Organization: Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Category: 28 categories, including science fiction, among others
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: $1,000 to $10,000
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up)
Young Lions Fiction Award
Organization: New York Public Library
Category: Fiction
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Usually in September
Eligibility: Ages 35 or under
Bennington Young Writers Awards
Organization: Bennington College
Category: 3 categories, including poetry, play, personal or academic essay,
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: $125 to $500
Deadline: Usually in November
Eligibility: Grades 10-12
Just Poetry!!!
Organization: The National Poetry Quarterly
Category: Poetry
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: $100-$500
Deadline: March, June, September, December
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Creative Communications Poetry Contest
Organization: Creative Communication
Category: Poetry
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Award Amount: $25
Deadline: Usually December
Eligibility: Grades K-9
Leonard L. Milberg ‘53 High School Poetry Prize
Organization: Princeton University