85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
Write the World Series Writing Contest
Write the World is a renowned global writing community established at Harvard University for young writers worldwide. This monthly competition is developed around a particular idea or genre of writing, such as poetry, fantasy, sports journalism, or flash fiction. Through multiple competitions throughout the year, students are encouraged to develop their voices, refine their editing skills, and publish on an international platform.
Upcoming Competitions:
- May: Environmental Writing Competition (400-1000 words)
- June: Personal Essay Competition (400-1000 words)
- July: Sci-Fi Fantasy Competition (400-1000 words)
- August: Flash Fiction Competition (1-100 words)
Eligibility: Young writers aged 13-18
Bennington College Young Writers Awards
Hosted by Bennington College, the Bennington College Young Writers Awards boast a unique literary heritage, including nine Pulitzer Prize winners, three U.S. Poet Laureates, four MacArthur Geniuses, numerous New York Times bestsellers, and one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. The competition promotes excellence in writing at the high school level and recognizes outstanding writing achievement by high school students.
Categories:
- Poetry: A group of three poems
- Fiction: A short story (1,500 words or fewer) or one-act play (runs no more than 30 minutes)
- Nonfiction: A personal or academic essay (1,500 words or fewer)
Competition Dates: Generally runs from September 1 to November 1 each year
Eligibility: Global students in grades 9-12
New York Times Summer Reading Contest
Since 2010, the New York Times has held a 10-week Summer Reading Contest each summer, with over 90,000 students participating. The New York Times Summer Reading Contest invites students to choose something that has sparked their interest in The Times. At the end of every week, judges from the Times newsroom pick their favorite responses, and the winner’s work will be published in The NY Times.
Competition Dates: June 6, 2025, to August 15, 2025
Eligibility: 13-19-year-old students from all over the world;
- Students aged 13-15 can submit via the form in the link to the weekly article, subject to parent or guardian consent;
- Students aged 16-19 can directly submit their comments in the weekly articles.
New York Times Tiny Memoir 100-Word Narrative Contest
This annual writing competition by the New York Times challenges participants to write a meaningful true story in no more than 100 words. These short memoirs can be on any topic or experience, and should be engaging and reflective.
Competition Dates: TBD (Information for the 2025 contest hasn’t been released)
Eligibility: 13-19-year-old students from all over the world;
- Students aged 13-15 can submit via the form in the link to the weekly article, subject to parent or guardian consent;
- Students aged 16-19 can directly submit their comments in the weekly articles.
New York Times Student Review Contest
The New York Times Student Review Contest allows students to express their thoughts and opinions on various subjects, such as architecture, art, books, cars, comedy, dance, fashion, hotels, movies, music, restaurants, and technology.
Competition Dates: January 15 to February 12, 2025
Eligibility: 13-19-year-old students from all over the world;
- Students aged 13-15 can submit via the form in the link to the weekly article, subject to parent or guardian consent;
- Students aged 16-19 can directly submit their comments in the weekly articles.
Unlock Your Writing Potential: Students in Our Writing Competition Preparation Class Are More Likely to Secure Awards
Foyle Young Poets Competition
The Foyle Young Poets Competition, one of the most prestigious global competitions since 1998, selects 15 winners and 85 commended poets annually. It allows young writers to showcase their work and receive support and guidance from renowned poets.
Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025
Submission Requirements: Poems can be on any theme or style but must not exceed 40 lines. There is no limit on the number of submissions.
Eligibility: Global students aged 11-17
Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest
Hosted by the Harvard International Review, this competition encourages students to focus on and research international issues. Essays are judged by a panel of journal editors and Harvard scholars.
2025 Themes:
- Theme A: Global Commons and Stewardship of Shared Resources
- Theme B: Emerging Powers in a Changing Global Order
- Theme C: Resilient Cities and Urban Futures
Word Count: 800-1200 words (excluding charts, tables, or author statements)
Competition Dates:
Summer 2025:
- Submission Deadline: August 31, 2025
- Final Event: October 5, 2025
Fall 2025/ Winter 2025:
- Submission Deadline: January 2, 2026
- Final Event: February 5, 2026
Eligibility: Global students in grades 9-12
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a prestigious and long-standing competition in the US, seeks creative works from students in grades 7-12. Since 1923, it has recognized young talent and provided a platform for creative teenagers.
The Scholastic Awards offers 28 categories of art and writing.
Art Categories: Architecture & Industrial Design, Ceramics & Glass, Comic Art, Design, Digital Art, Drawing & Illustration, Editorial Cartoon, Expanded Projects Fashion, Film & Animation, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Art Portfolio (graduating seniors)
Writing Categories: Critical Essay, Dramatic Script, Flash Fiction, Journalism, Humor, Novel Writing, Personal Essay & Memoir, Poetry, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Short Story, Writing Portfolio (graduating seniors)
Eligibility: Students must be in grades 7–12, age 13 years or older as of the entry date, and residing in the United States, U.S. territories or military bases, or Canada.
Competition Dates: The competition generally starts in September, with deadlines between December and January, depending on the participant’s region.
Note: All information is sourced from the respective competition websites. Please refer to the official websites for the most up-to-date details.
Participating in these international writing competitions is an excellent way for high school students to enhance their writing skills, gain international recognition, and build a strong portfolio for college applications. Whether you are interested in poetry, short stories, journalism, or critical essays, there is a competition that suits your interests and talents! As you plan your summer activities, consider dedicating time to these writing competitions to develop your skills, challenge yourself creatively, and connect with a global community of young writers.
Join Aralia’s Writing Competition Preparation Classes
Aralia Education offers an online class for students competing in various writing competitions. Aralia has a proven track record of creating successful and award-winning students yearly! We exclusively vet teachers with impressive teaching backgrounds in top-ranking US prep schools and show genuine, detailed care for our student’s academic and personal growth. Contact us for more information about the below classes!
