Calling ALL Writers!
College admissions are about standing out, and a great way to do so is with tangible accomplishments. This can be anything from receiving an award on your sports team to getting a provisional patent (like Katie, whose story you can read here) or winning a writing contest!
If you're a high school student with a talent for writing, here are a few writing contests you can enter to boost your resume. If that’s not reward enough, many of them offer cash prizes and scholarships as well!
Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest
Grades: 6th grade - 12th grade
The Challenge: Write a letter of either protest or appeal to a specific audience that highlights an issue or problem and prompts reflection or action on it.
Deadline: April 16, 2025
Application Link: Here
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Grades: 7th grade - 12th grade
The Challenge: The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards offers a wide variety of awards for both art and writing categories which are listed here. The challenge differs depending on the selected category, so check it out for your respective interests! This award has something for everyone.
Deadline: As early as December 1, 2024
Application Link: Here
Bill of Rights Institute's My Impact Challenge
Grades: Ages 13-19
The Challenge: Participants must submit a 1,200-word essay as part of a larger project, which includes a completed service project and a 2,000-word report detailing the project’s inspiration, plan, execution, and personal growth in understanding civic virtue. Visual documentation of the project is also required. Judging criteria focus on the project's community impact, knowledge gained, originality, mechanics, and the participant's grasp of civic virtue.
Deadline: May 18, 2025
Application Link: Here
National High School Writing Contest
Grades: 9th - 12th
The Challenge: The prompt of the essay changes each year but it is typically a 1,000-1,500 word essay on topics related to peace building and national security. Winning essays are published on the contest website, providing access to previous topics and research for reference.
Deadline: ~April 1, 2025
Application Link: Here
Jane Austen Society of North America's Essay Contest
Grades: 9th - 12th, Undergraduate students, Graduate Students
The Challenge: If you love Jane Austen, don't miss this contest! Each year, JASNA invites students globally to write a 6-8 page essay on a topic inspired by Jane Austen's works and its relevance to contemporary culture.
Deadline: ~June 1, 2025
Application Link: Here
Profile in Courage Essay Contest by JFK Presidential Library
Grades: 9th - 12th
The Challenge: Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official from 1917 onward, focusing on the obstacles, risks, and consequences involved. Essays should address issues at any level—local, state, national, or international—and originality is key. Students are encouraged to profile lesser-known figures or local leaders rather than well-trodden subjects.
Deadline: January 17, 2025
Application Link: Here
EngineerGirl Writing Contest
Grades: 3rd - 12th (different requirements for each grade range)
The Challenge: The contest is focused on the impact of engineering, with the 2024 theme being "The Secret Life of Everyday Items." Students were invited to explore the lifecycle of everyday items and the various types of engineering involved in their production. This year's prompt will be posted in September.
Deadline: February 1, 2025
Application Link: Here
Young Art's National Arts Competition
Grades: Ages 15-18
The Challenge: The YoungArts Competition invites artists to apply with a portfolio in various disciplines, including visual arts, writing, and music.
Deadline: October 17, 2025
Application Link: Here
These are just a few of the amazing opportunities available for high school students who love writing and the arts. Be sure to explore options that align with your specific interests.
If you need help making your application stand out, schedule a call with us here!
Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas
P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We'll help get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges...and if we don't get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges, you don't pay us a penny. Seriously. College admissions isn't rocket science...but it is a science. And we've cracked the code...year, after year, after year. You can learn more about our world renowned all-inclusive, start-to-finish college coaching here and to see if your family qualifies for an introductory call.
P.P.S - Our most common question is "When should we start?!" The answer is, if you truly care about giving your high schooler the best chance of college planning success, you should start NOW. 9th grade is not too early to start! 10th grade is certainly not too early to start! And 11th grade is far, far too late! (supporting data here to show just how much of an advantage you give your child by starting the process early).
