A ONE INSTITUTE
Jan 18, 2025
Introduction: Writing Competitions for 11th Graders
Today, I’m sharing a post about writing competitions that 11th graders can participate in before submitting their Early Decision (ED) applications at the end of the year.
As students in the 11th grade prepare to apply ED/EA later this year, many wonder what extracurricular activities (ECs) they can still pursue. Since there are too many options to cover in one post, this article will focus specifically on writing-related ECs.
1. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
If you are preparing for a writing competition, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a must-try contest. It is one of the most well-known writing competitions and has a low barrier to entry, making it accessible for many students.This competition features a wide variety of categories, and participants have the freedom to choose any category or even submit multiple works across different categories. For example, students can submit up to 10 pieces of writing in one go.
Deadlines and Results: The deadline is typically in October, and results are announced in March. Unfortunately, this year’s deadline has already passed, but if you are currently in 10th grade, this is a competition you should definitely try next year.
Eligibility: Participants must reside in the United States.
2. National YoungArts Foundation Competition
The second competition on the list is the National YoungArts Foundation Competition. This competition is considered more competitive than the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Eligibility: It is open to students between the ages of 15 and 18 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This means international students are not eligible to participate.
Why It’s Important: Winning this competition demonstrates a high level of creative and literary skill, and it’s recognized as a prestigious achievement in the arts.
3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition
The John Locke Institute Essay Competition is an excellent option for international students, as this contest is open to participants from around the world.
Deadlines and Results: The deadline for submissions is in June, and results are announced in July.
Format: This competition offers seven categories, and within each category, there are three essay prompts to choose from. Students must select one question and write an essay based on it.
Difficulty Level: Because the essays require thorough research and analytical skills, this competition is considered more challenging than others like Scholastic or YoungArts.
Why It’s Valuable: It allows students to showcase their academic writing ability and their aptitude for conducting humanities-based research.
4. Bennington Young Writers Awards
Next is the Bennington Young Writers Awards, which is ideal for students interested in exploring their creative writing skills.
Deadlines and Results: The deadline for this competition is November 1, and results are announced in April. Unfortunately, this year’s deadline has passed for current 11th graders, but 10th graders should consider applying next year.
Categories: Students can submit works in poetry, short story, or essay formats.
Why It’s Worth Trying: This competition is well-regarded and provides an excellent platform for young writers to showcase their creativity.
5. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests
The Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests are based on themes from Ayn Rand’s novels. Each year, students can choose from one of the three novels and write an essay responding to a specific theme related to the chosen book.
Anthem: The deadline is in May, and results are announced in August.
The Fountainhead: This book offers three submission opportunities annually:
Submit in June, with results in August.
Submit in September, with results in November.
Submit in December, with results in March.
Atlas Shrugged: Similar to The Fountainhead, this book also provides three submission opportunities:
Submit in June, with results in August.
Submit in September, with results in December.
Submit in December, with results in March.
Eligibility: This competition is open to international students, making it accessible to a wide range of participants.
Why It’s Accessible: The multiple deadlines provide flexibility, making it a great option even for current 11th graders.
6. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose
The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose is perfect for students with a strong interest in literature.
Eligibility: Both high school and college students can participate, and international students are also eligible. While college students often win, high school students also have a strong chance of receiving awards.
Deadlines and Results: The deadline is in May, and results are announced in September.
Why It’s Prestigious: This competition is highly competitive and recognizes exceptional literary talent in poetry and prose.
7. New York Times Student Editorial Contest
The New York Times Student Editorial Contest invites students to select a New York Times article and write a comment or editorial based on it.
Format: Students submit their commentary during specific submission windows.
Deadlines and Results: The contest runs periodically, and results are typically announced eight weeks after the deadline.
Eligibility: International students are welcome to participate.
Why It’s Unique: This competition rewards insightful commentary on current events, encouraging students to engage critically with the world around them.
8. National High School Essay Contest by USIP
Hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), this competition focuses on peace and conflict resolution.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 9–12. Unfortunately, international students cannot participate.
Deadlines and Results: Submissions are due in March, with results announced in June.
Why It’s Valuable: This competition is ideal for students interested in politics, diplomacy, or social sciences.
9. EngineerGirl Writing Contest
The EngineerGirl Writing Contest blends STEM concepts with creative writing.
2025 Topic: Participants are tasked with describing how to turn an ordinary object into a “smart” object.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 3–12, including international students.
Deadlines and Results: The deadline is in February, and results are announced in May.
Why It’s Unique: It is an excellent opportunity for STEM-focused students to enhance their creative writing skills.
10. The Concord Review
The Concord Review is often considered the pinnacle of high school writing competitions, particularly for non-STEM students.
Format: Students submit research essays, which may be published in the journal. The competition runs quarterly, with results announced every three months.
Prestige: Winning or being published in this competition is a significant achievement. Past winners have gone on to attend top-tier universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
Why It’s Important: This competition is ideal for students passionate about history or humanities who want to showcase their research and writing skills.
11. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
The final competition is the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest, which focuses on environmental and ocean-related topics.
Eligibility: Open to international students.
Deadlines and Results: The deadline is in June, and results are announced in November.
Why It’s Valuable: With multiple themes to choose from, this competition encourages creativity and awareness of environmental issues.
Why Writing Competitions Matter
Participating in writing competitions helps eliminate any doubts that colleges might have about a student’s English proficiency, particularly for Asian students. Strong writing competition results demonstrate that the student is not only capable of excelling academically in an English-speaking environment but also able to contribute meaningfully to the university community.
Final Thoughts
The 11 competitions mentioned above are just a starting point—there are many other writing contests worth exploring. Visit the official websites of these competitions to learn more, and consider participating to strengthen your college applications.
If you have additional questions about writing competitions, feel free to contact A-One Institute for guidance. Thank you!