The Politic High School Competition

Yale University's undergraduate political journal, The Politic, is hosting its high school writing competition focused on investigative journalism.

Interested in the competition?

Competition Overview

High school students in grades 9–12 (ages 14–19), domestic or international

Eligibility

Varies depending on your submission time

Entry Fee

June 21 – July 8, 2026 ($20)

Early Registration

July 9 – August 14, 2026 ($30)

Regular Registration

August 21, 2026

Submission Deadline

September 11, 2026

Winners Announcement

📌 Note: Aralia is not the organizer of this competition. For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer directly to the competition organizer. Aralia provides listings and information about competitions for student reference. Aralia is an online education platform offering competition preparation classes to students worldwide.

Competition Details

2. Essay Category

Investigative Journalism.

Topic Requirement: Local Community Issue

Students will investigate a specific, real issue affecting their local community (town, city, county, school district, or surrounding region).

Example topics include local election coverage, environmental issues, school district funding, government service cuts, redistricting battles, or business closures and their economic impact.

4. Prizes

First-, second-, and third-place winners will be announced, along with honorable mentions for the top 10 students. Winners are considered for publication on The Politic’s website and in print.

Submission Details

1. Word Limit

800–1,200 words (excluding title, byline, and footnotes).

2. Source

Minimum of three distinct sources, including at least one primary source — such as an interview with a named individual, a government record, or a public meeting transcript. Wikipedia and anonymous or undated sources are not acceptable as primary sources.

3. Required Elements

A clear investigative thesis or central question
Evidence of original research (interview, public record, or firsthand observation)
Multiple perspectives, including affected community members
A factual, objective tone (not an op-ed or personal essay)
A conclusion that synthesizes findings and communicates their significance

AI tools may not be used to draft, rewrite, paraphrase, or structure any part of the essay. Basic grammar and spell-check tools (e.g., Grammarly) are permitted. Violations result in immediate disqualification.