Scholar of Tomorrow (SoT) is a nonprofit academic organization founded and led by college and high school students around the world. Through its annual Essay Competition, SoT invites students to engage with thought-provoking questions in economics and psychology while building critical thinking and research skills. The competition also aims to foster creativity and innovation by creating a global community where young people can share academic ideas and discoveries.
Students can choose to participate in one of two categories: economics or psychology. Each year, SoT announces a new topic for each category, marking the beginning of another competition cycle.
1. SoT Essay Competition Topics
SoT has announced the new topics for this year’s essay competition. The prompts for the economics and psychology categories are listed below:
- Psychology: Living in Perpetual Crisis: How Do Global Events Shape Our Anxiety and Resilience?
- Economics: How do particular political measures result in accelerating or impeding indigenous technological innovation in the targeted nation? Consider sanctions, trade wars, tariffs, domestic industrial policies, etc.
2. Who can participate?
High school students from any country can join as long as they are 18 years old or younger by the submission deadline.
3. Competition Timeline
The competition will run from early July through the beginning of September:
- Submission opens: July 1, 2025
- Submission deadline: September 1, 2025
- Awards announced: October 15, 2025
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4. Fees and Awards
Entry Fee
The entry fee for the competition is $30/person.
Awards
By participating in the competition, students have the chance to win one of the following prizes:
- First Prize: 100 USD / 700 RMB
- Second Prize: 50 USD / 350 RMB
- Third Prize: 30 USD / 200 RMB
- Honorable Mentions
5. Submission Guidelines
Students are required to write an essay of up to 1,500 words on one of the topics listed above. Your submission should:
- Be written in English and completed individually.
- Have a maximum length of 1,500 words (the cover page, abstract, and references are not included in the word count).
- Follow MLA format for in-text citations and the reference list (you can consult Purdue OWL for guidance).
- Be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced.
- Include a cover page with the essay title and author information.
- Contain an abstract between 120 and 250 words.
- Use credible, peer-reviewed sources with proper citations.
- Be submitted only in MS Word format.
- Be free of plagiarism and AI assistance; all essays will be checked using Turnitin and AI detection tools.
How to Prepare for the SoT Essay Competition
1. Understanding the Scoring Rubric
Before you begin writing your essay for the SoT Essay Competition, it is essential to understand how your work will be evaluated. Knowing what the judges are looking for will help you focus your research and structure your writing effectively.
A successful essay for the SoT competition should:
Accurately identify and describe the origin and current situation of the problem.
Begin your essay by clearly explaining the issue you have chosen to address. Describe how this problem originated, what factors have influenced it, and what the current situation looks like. Your goal is to provide a well-researched and thoughtful background to show the judges that you understand the roots of the problems you’re addressing.
Develop a coherent and consistent line of reasoning.
Your essay should present a clear argument that connects your ideas logically from start to finish. Avoid jumping between unrelated points or including information that does not directly support your thesis.
Use at least one specific concept in economics or psychology to support your point.
Depending on the prompt you choose, your essay should incorporate at least one key concept from economics or psychology. For economics, this might include theories related to trade policy, sanctions, or technological innovation. For psychology, you could discuss concepts like resilience, anxiety, or crisis adaptation.
Accurately discuss one way to inform a solution to this problem.
Beyond explaining the problem, your essay should propose a thoughtful approach to addressing it. This does not mean you need to present a complete solution, but you should offer at least one well-supported idea that could contribute to resolving the issue.
By aligning your essay with these expectations, you will be able to craft a clear, insightful, and well-researched piece that stands out in the SoT Essay Competition 2025.
2. Resources for the Psychology Topic
If you plan to submit an essay on the psychology topic of the SoT Essay Competition, here are some steps to get you started:
Explore psychology research on the SoT website.
SoT regularly publishes research articles and resources related to both past and current essay topics. Reviewing these materials can help you become familiar with the subjects featured on the SoT platform.
Build foundational knowledge about psychology.
If you are new to psychology, consider spending time learning about its key concepts and frameworks before diving into your essay.
- Read psychology books: Introductory psychology textbooks and books will help you build a stronger understanding of the prompt. For recommended titles, you can refer to Aralia’s psychology reading guide.
- Research related psychology topics: The 2025 psychology prompt focuses on how global crises shape anxiety and resilience. You should explore academic articles, books, and credible news sources discussing these concepts to gain different perspectives.
- Take a foundational psychology course: If possible, enroll in an introductory psychology course at your school or through an online platform. A structured course can help you understand research methods, key psychological theories, and essential terminology, which will be valuable when writing your essay.
Review past winning essays.
Reading past winning essays from the SoT competition will help you understand what a strong essay looks like. Pay attention to how previous winners structured their arguments, integrated research, and connected their analysis back to the prompt.
3. Resources for the Economics Topic
If you choose to participate in the economics category of the SoT Essay Competition, here are some tips to get you started:
Explore economics research on the SoT website.
SoT provides valuable resources and research materials to help you broaden your economics knowledge. Reviewing these will give you insight and ideas on how to approach the question.
Build foundational knowledge about economics.
Begin by strengthening your understanding of core economic concepts and theories. This will help you analyze the prompt more effectively and apply relevant ideas in your essay.
- Build background knowledge through reputable sources: Explore economics research published by respected organizations such as the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Federal Reserve Board, and the American Economic Association. These sources offer high-quality papers and data that can deepen your understanding of topics like sanctions, trade wars, tariffs, and industrial policies.
- Research the specific topics mentioned in the prompt: Since the 2025 economics prompt focuses on political measures affecting technological innovation, researching key terms such as sanctions, trade wars, tariffs, and domestic industrial policies will provide you with a better understanding of the prompt.
- Stay updated on current economic issues: Read daily economic news from reputable outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The New York Times. Being aware of recent developments will allow you to connect your essay to real-world examples and current debates.
- Take an introductory economics course: Doing so either online or at your school will enable you to build a solid foundation in economics. This will help you better understand and analyze the essay topics and related materials.
Review past winning essays.
To understand what makes an essay successful, read past winning essays to learn how to develop clear reasoning, incorporate supporting evidence, and follow the proper format.
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4. Tips to Craft a Competitive Essay
Here are some key tips to help you craft a competitive essay for the SoT Competition:
Research Thoroughly: Take the time to dive deeply into your chosen prompt. Thorough research will provide you with a solid foundation and help you develop a well-informed argument.
Organize Before Writing: Before you start writing, create a detailed outline. A well-structured outline will ensure your essay flows logically and that your ideas connect smoothly.
Use Evidence in Every Paragraph: Each paragraph should include specific evidence—whether data, quotes from scholarly sources, or real-world examples—that supports your claims. It’s critical not only to present evidence but also to explain how it relates to your thesis and strengthens your argument.
Revise and Edit: Editing is crucial for producing a polished essay. Review your work multiple times to improve clarity, fix any errors, and strengthen your reasoning. Don’t hesitate to ask teachers, mentors, or peers for feedback, as they can offer valuable insights that help you refine your writing before submission.
Looking to Enter the SoT Essay Competition?
With expert guidance from our experienced instructors and professors from leading universities, many Aralia students have proudly earned prizes in the SoT Essay Competition. Our mentors will help you build a deep understanding of essential economics and psychology concepts while helping you develop and refine your essay ideas. You’ll receive personalized feedback tailored to strengthening your critical analysis and writing skills. By the end of the course, you’ll have a polished, competitive essay ready to submit with confidence.
