Some skills are hard to convey on your college application. For students who are active in a musical instrument, they have participated in band or orchestra and have often achieved a long list of achievements. Students who are passionate about science or research can find multiple extracurriculars or summer programs that allow them to grow and highlight their skills.
However, those students who love to write might find it more difficult to showcase the time and energy they have spent honing their craft. Having a good grade in English and Literature classes, good AP scores and a well-written personal statement might not be enough to showcase your abilities to the admission officers at your dream school.
Some schools might not have many extracurricular activities for aspiring writers. Instead, students might want to turn to outside sources to get recognition for their writing success. A writing competition is a great way to do so.
Many top writing contests for high school students will offer cash prizes or even a scholarship to a summer writing program. Better yet, many writing contests will grant multiple levels of recognition, so if you don’t win the top prize, you still are acknowledged for your hard work and skillset. Placing this award on your college applications can go a long way towards helping to build a strong candidate profile. Furthermore, participating in a contest is a fun way to hone your writing skills and challenge yourself while you are still in high school.
While winning a writing contest does take time, with all the planning, drafting and editing, it can be an excellent way to showcase how serious you are about the craft. For affected by school closure, participating in a writing contest can be a great way to build up your resume while keeping your writing skills sharp. You can find contests across an extensive variety of genres so that you can choose one that fits your style. Here are some of the top writing contests for high school students.
Young Lions Fiction Award
Established in 2001 by the New York Public Library, the Young Lions Fiction Award was created to acknowledge the next generation of fiction writers. Five finalists are recognized, with one taking home the grand prize of $10,000. To qualify, the author must be 35 or younger and submit a novel or a collection of short stories.
53-Word Story Contest
- Award: Publication in Prime Number Magazine and a free book from Press 33
- Deadline: 21st of each month
Hosted by Prime Number Magazine and Press 53, writers are put to the test and have to respond to a prompt with a 53-word story. The prompt changes each month, and the responses must be 53 words exactly-no more and no less. Only stories-i.e., no poems-are permitted, and only one submission per writer per month is allowed.
The Adroit Prizes For Poetry And Prose
Adroit Prizes is open to all secondary and undergraduate students. Students can include up to six poems (maximum 10 pages) or three works of prose (maximum 3,500 words). You can also submit excerpts from longer pieces of your work.
Even if you aren’t awarded the top prize, your work could still be published in TheAdroit Journal. You can submit both a poetry and prose piece within the same contest period.
The Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest
Any student in their junior year can submit a 10-minute play in the Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest. The play can be at most 10 pages and can be of any topic. The plays will be judged by Princeton University faculty members.
Young Writers Awards
Students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade can enter into the Young Writers Awards hosted by Bennington College.
Students can submit either:
In each category, a first, second and third place winner will be recognized.
The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers is open to young poets in 10th or 11th grade. You can enter in any previously unpublished poem of your choice and compete to win a full scholarship to The Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop and have your work published in The Kenyon Review, a highly-regarded literary magazine.
Signet Essay Contest
If you are a Wuthering Heights fan, then the Signet Essay Contest is the one for you. Five high school juniors or seniors can win an award for their two to three-page essays. You must select one of five prompts based on the events and characters in Wuthering Heights. The essays must be submitted by the high school English teacher or the parent if the student is homeschooled.
Ocean Awareness Contest
The Ocean Awareness Contest aims to recognize writers while raising awareness about the climate crisis. Students can submit visual art, film, music, poetry, prose or interactive and multimedia pieces. You can even submit as a club, class or group if you want. Each category has specific qualifications, so make sure to check the website to ensure that you aren’t accidentally disqualified because you didn’t follow the rules.
Finding The Right Writing Contest For You
Participating in a writing contest is not only a good way to earn some cash for college, but also to be recognized for your talents. There are many different genres and types of contests available, so you can find one that fits your skill set. Even if you enter and do not win, it is still an excellent way to gain experience and continue to improve.
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Originally published at https://www.forbes.com.
