Writing competitions are an extremely important opportunity for students applying to humanities and business programs, effectively showcasing their English proficiency and writing talent to admissions officers. Especially for international students and those applying to US high schools and undergraduate programs, participating in these competitions not only improves English skills but also helps them better express their opinions and creativity.
Recommended New York Times Writing Competitions
1. HIR Harvard International Review Academic Writing
Founded in 1979, the HIR Harvard International Review Academic Writing Competition is renowned for its interdisciplinary and cross-cultural nature, covering multiple fields such as history, literature, art, and philosophy. The topics are flexible and diverse, ranging from in-depth analyses of historical events to creative science fiction writing looking towards the future.
Suitable for:
High school students in grades 9-12
Participation Format:
Individual participation (collaborative submissions are accepted), submitting a short essay of at least 800 words but no more than 1200 words on an international affairs topic (excluding charts, tables, or author statements).
2. HIEEC Harvard International Economics Essay
The Harvard International Economics Essay Competition (HIEEC) is jointly organized by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association (HUEA) and the *Harvard Economic Review* (HCER), aiming to allow students to showcase their writing skills and ability to interpret economic theories.
Suitable for:
Students in Years 9-12
Competition Format:
Participants must choose one of four prescribed essay topics, construct a convincing argument combining economic theory and real-life examples, and submit an essay of no more than 1500 words.
3. Marshall Society Economics Essay
Founded in 1927, the Marshall Society is a renowned economics organization at the University of Cambridge, UK. The competition is named in honor of Alfred Marshall, a prominent figure in economics, author of *Principles of Economics*, and considered the founder of partial equilibrium analysis. Participating in this competition can be considered a "golden ticket" to admission to top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.
Target Audience:
Global High School Students
Competition Theme:
Choose one of six officially released questions to complete an essay. The competition topics are all currently hotly debated in the field of economics.
Word Count Requirement: No more than 1250 words
4. John Locke Essay Competition
The John Locke Essay Competition is organized by the John Locke Institute, an independent educational organization located in Oxford, UK, in collaboration with professors from world-renowned universities such as Oxford, Princeton, and Brown. Named after the famous 17th-century English philosopher John Locke, all judges are from Oxford University, ensuring the professionalism and authority of the judging process. The competition aims to cultivate students' independent thinking and critical thinking skills.
Target Audience:
Any student under 18 years old worldwide interested in academic writing in the UK and US and looking for a challenge is welcome to participate.
Senior Group: 14-18 years old
Junior Prize Group: Under 14 years old
Competition Format:
Individual participation. Each essay can only answer one question in the selected topic category. Multiple essays can be submitted, but must not exceed 2000 words (excluding charts, tables, footnotes, bibliographies, or author statements). (Categories: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Religion, Law)
Word Count: No more than 2000 words
5. THE CONCORD REVIEW
Since its founding in March 1987, The Concord Review has focused on recognizing and publishing outstanding English-language history essays written by high school students. This premier global journal is unique in that it is the only publication dedicated solely to high school history research, profoundly influencing the history learning and exploration of secondary school students worldwide.
As the world's only academic journal for high school students, The Concord Review is considered the highest honor in high school history. Students participating in this competition not only improve their academic skills but also significantly enhance their resumes when applying to top universities such as Harvard.
Target Audience:
High school students in grades 9-12
Competition Format:
Submit a long essay of at least 5,000 to 7,000 words on any historical topic (ancient or modern, domestic or international).
