Did you know that there is an essay competition for just about anything? Seriously, whetheryou’re interested in writing about philosophy, politics, economics, or even Science Fiction, there’s an essay contest out there for you. The tricky thing is deciding which essay competition is the best for you. For seventh and eighth graders, finding an essay competition shouldn’t be an overwhelming experience. We’re here to streamline the process, help you understand which essay competition would work best for you, and maximize your time and efforts in the process. Although you technically have limitless options, you might quickly find out that some essay competitions have age requirements, meaning that you might not be able to enter them until you’re in ninth grade. You shouldn’t let this stop you, as many prestigious competitions have categories for younger students. As you’re comparing essay contests, you’ll need to keep in mind three key factors: 1) Eligibility, 2) Prestige, and 3) Experience, or “EPE,” as we like to call it. Here are some of our favorites and why we recommend them:The John Locke Essay Competition (https://www.johnlockeinstitute.com/essay-competition) Eligibility: John Locke has a “Junior Prize” for students who are fourteen years old or younger on the competition’s submission deadline.Prestige: John Locke is an internationally renowned essay competition judged by senior academics from leading universities such as Oxford and Princeton. It is recognized as the world’s most prestigious essay contest.Experience: Its Junior Prize essay prompts consist of thought-provoking questions that challenge students to think deeply about issues related to philosophy, psychology, economics, theology, and law. Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (https://www.artandwriting.org) Eligibility: Scholastic encourages Grade 7-12 students studying in the US, Canada, or abroad in US territories to enter creatively driven works from short stories and poetry submissions to plays and critical essays. Students who are thirteen years and older can participatePrestige: The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are known as the “nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.”Experience: Young writers get the chance to practice creative writing techniques, explore their imagination, and gain the opportunity to be recognized by the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. The Ayn Rand Anthem Essay Contest (https://aynrand.org/students/essay-contests/anthem/) Eligibility: Students as young as Grade 8 can enter Ayn Rand’s Anthem Essay Contest and submit a 600 to 1,200-word essay examining the philosophical text.Prestige: The Ayn Rand Essay Contest is hosted by the Ayn Rand Institute, a nationally recognized institute dedicated to educating students about philosophy.Experience: Students can develop essay writing and philosophy skills as they deeply examine Ayn Rand’s Anthem. The Ayn Rand Essay Contest also offers free Ayn Rand books for all entering contestants. Remember, entering an essay competition isn’t just a chance to win an award—it’s an opportunity to deeply expand your creativity and analytical skills while preparing for years of essay writing ahead of you. We’re rooting for you!
