Okay, let's talk writing contests for high school students. Honestly? I wish I'd known half this stuff when I was scrambling to submit my first terrible short story years ago. I thought every contest was basically the lottery – pure luck. Turns out, I was dead wrong. Knowing which contests fit *you*, how to approach them, and what judges *really* look for? Game changer.
Why Bother? The Real Deal Benefits Beyond the Trophy
Yeah, scholarships and prizes are awesome. Who doesn't want cash for college or a shiny new laptop? But honestly? The hidden perks of entering writing contests for high schoolers are often way cooler:
- College App Gold: Winning, or even being a finalist, screams "I'm serious!" to admissions folks. It's concrete proof you've got skills outside of required essays.
- Thick Skin Factory: Rejection stings. Getting a "no" teaches you to separate your worth from your work – a crucial skill for any writer (or human).
- Deadline Bootcamp: Real contests have real deadlines. No extensions. This forces you to plan, draft, revise, and polish – professional discipline 101.
- Feedback (Sometimes!): A few contests offer critiques. Getting an outsider's perspective on your work is pure gold dust, even if it's hard to hear sometimes.
- Finding Your Tribe: Seeing your name on a winners list alongside others? Instant connection. It shows you're not alone in loving words.
My "Aha!" Moment: I entered this tiny regional contest on a whim. Didn't win squat. But reading the winner's piece? It clicked. Their opening line was *so* simple, yet hooked me instantly. I realized I'd been trying too hard to sound "fancy." Lesson learned way better than any win could have taught me.
Navigating the Maze: Types of High School Writing Competitions
Not all writing contests for teens are created equal. Jumping into the wrong one is like wearing flip-flops to a snowball fight. Here’s the breakdown:
By Genre: What Do You Actually Like Writing?
| Genre | What It's Like | Who It's For | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiction (Short Story) | Creating characters and worlds in a condensed format. Word limits are strict! | Storytellers, daydreamers, lovers of plot twists. | Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, YoungArts |
| Poetry | Playing with rhythm, sound, and imagery to pack emotion into few words. Forms vary wildly. | Observers, emotion explorers, fans of concise power. | National Poetry Quarterly Contest, Ocean State Review Contest |
| Essay (Personal/Critical) | Personal: Sharing your unique experience. Critical: Analyzing ideas/texts deeply. | Reflective thinkers, strong opinion-havers, analytical minds. | John Locke Institute Essay Competition, The Concord Review |
| Playwriting/Screenwriting | Crafting dialogue and action for performance. Formatting matters! | Dialogue lovers, visual storytellers, aspiring directors. | VSA Playwright Discovery Program, Write a Play! NYC |
| Journalism | Reporting facts, interviewing, investigating issues. Accuracy is king. | Curious fact-finders, interviewers, news junkies. | Youth Journalism International Contests, Quill and Scroll |
By Scope & Prestige: Finding Your Level
- Hyper-Local: School newspaper contests, town library teen writing challenges. Low pressure, great starting point. Judges might literally be your English teacher!
- Regional/State: Bigger pool, some recognition. Often run by arts councils or state universities. Think "California Young Playwrights Contest".
- National: The big leagues. Fierce competition (thousands of entries!), significant prizes/scholarships, major bragging rights. Scholastic, YoungArts, Bennington College's contests fall here. Prepare your A++ game.
- International: Open to students worldwide. VERY competitive, but looks stellar. The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition is a classic example.
Pro Tip (Learned the Hard Way): Starting local isn't weak; it's smart. Winning a small contest builds confidence for tackling the nationals. I bombed my first national submission because I underestimated the competition level.
The Hit List: Top Writing Contests for High School Students You Should Know
Alright, let's get specific. Here are some of the heavy hitters and hidden gems among writing competitions for high schoolers:
| Contest Name | Genre(s) | Deadlines (Typical) | Entry Fee? | Prize Highlights | Notes / My Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholastic Art & Writing Awards | Fiction, Poetry, Essay, Journalism, Dramatic Script, more | Dec/Jan (Varies by Region) | Small fee per entry (waivers available) | Gold Keys, Silver Keys, National Medals. Scholarships up to $12,500. HUGE prestige. | The granddaddy. Highly respected but VERY competitive. Regional judging first. Worth entering just for the feedback potential. |
| YoungArts Competition | Creative Nonfiction, Novel, Play/Script, Poetry, Short Story, Spoken Word | Early October | $35 | Cash awards ($100-$10,000), mentorship, nomination for U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. | Incredibly prestigious. They look for "artistic merit". Requires work samples + recommendations. Intense but life-changing for winners. |
| The Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose | Poetry, Prose (Fiction/Flash/CNF) | Typically Spring (Apr/May) | $15 | $200 prize, publication in Adroit Journal. Judged by big-name writers. | Run by students, for students. Open internationally. Great reputation in literary circles. Judges are legit pros. |
| John Locke Institute Essay Competition | Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, Law | Late June | Free | Scholarships for summer courses, publication. | Academic powerhouse. Requires deep research and critical thinking on complex prompts. Amazing for humanities buffs. |
| Ocean State Review's Ruth Berrien Fox Awards | Poetry, Fiction | Usually Apr-June | $15 | $500 prize, publication consideration. | A solid, reputable university journal contest. Less volume than Scholastic, but still high quality. |
| VSA Playwright Discovery Program (Kennedy Center) | One-Act Plays (10 min or 20-40 min) | Typically Early January | Free | Professional development, mentorship, staged readings in DC. Awardees participate in workshop. | Specifically for writers with disabilities (broad definition). Fantastic opportunity and support. |
| The Concord Review | History Research Papers | Rolling (But takes time!) | Free to submit | Publication in the most prestigious HS history journal. Emerson Prize ($5k+) for top papers. | THE journal for serious history research. Extremely selective. Publication here is a major accomplishment for aspiring historians. |
| Princeton University Contests (Leonard L. Milberg '53 HS Poetry Prize) | Poetry ONLY | Fall (Nov) | Free | $500 - $1500 prizes. Winners read at Princeton. | Very prestigious poetry-only contest. Limited submission numbers per school sometimes. Check the rules! |
Important Caveat: Deadlines and fees CHANGE. ALWAYS, ALWAYS double-check the official website the year you plan to enter. I missed a deadline once because I relied on an old blog post. Don't be me!
Your Step-by-Step Game Plan: From Choosing to Submitting (and Maybe Winning)
Finding cool writing contests for high school students is one thing. Actually having a shot? That requires a plan.
Phase 1: The Hunt & Filter (Start EARLY)
- Sources:
- Your English teacher or school librarian (seriously, ask them!).
- Writing Centers at local colleges/universities.
- Reliable websites: Winning Writers, Poets & Writers Contests Database (filter by age/student status), Submittable Discover (filter for free/student).
- Local Arts Councils or Writing Organizations.
- Filter Questions:
- Genre: Does it match what I enjoy writing?
- Deadline: Can I realistically produce quality work before then? (Add buffer time!)
- Eligibility: Grade level? Location? Specific themes? (e.g., some are state-specific)
- Cost: Can I afford it? Are fee waivers available? (Many offer waivers based on need - ASK!)
- Judging: Who are the judges? Is it blind judging? (Prevents bias)
- Prize: Is it worth my effort? (Remember, not all value is monetary!)
- Reputation: Is this contest legit? (Google the name + "scam" or "legit". Avoid anything demanding crazy fees with vague promises).
Phase 2: Crafting Your Killer Entry
- Read Winning Work: Find past winners of *that specific contest*. What worked? Voice? Topic? Structure? Don't copy, but analyze.
- Know the Rules Cold: Font size? Margins? File format? Page count? WORD COUNT? Judges DQ entries for rule-breakers instantly. Don't lose on a technicality.
- Originality is Key: Submit only your own, previously unpublished work (unless the contest allows otherwise). Plagiarism detectors exist.
- Revise Ruthlessly: First drafts rarely win. Cut fluff, tighten prose, sharpen imagery. Read it ALOUD. Does it stumble?
- Seek Feedback (Wisely): Ask trusted teachers, writers, or peers who will be HONEST ("It's good" isn't helpful). Ask specific questions: "Was the ending satisfying?" "Was the main character believable?"
- "So What?" Test: Ask yourself: Why should a judge care about this piece? Does it offer a fresh perspective, evoke strong emotion, or make a compelling argument?
My Biggest Revision Mistake: I fell in love with a descriptive paragraph in a short story. It was beautiful... but it slowed the plot to a crawl. My teacher circled it and wrote "Nice, but where's the story going?" Ouch. But she was right. I cut it. The story was tighter and better. Kill your darlings, folks.
Phase 3: Polishing & Submission - Dot Those I's!
- Proofread Like a Hawk: Typos, grammar errors, punctuation slips scream "sloppy." Read backwards sentence-by-sentence to catch errors. Use spellcheck, but don't trust it blindly ("there" vs "their").
- Format Flawlessly: Follow contest specs EXACTLY (double-spacing, title page info, anonymizing if required).
- Cover Letters Matter (If Required): Be brief, professional. Include title, word count, contact info. Sometimes a sentence on inspiration helps if allowed.
- Submit EARLY: Avoid last-minute tech disasters or website crashes. Submit at least 48 hours before deadline.
- Keep Records: Save a copy of your submission, confirmation email, and contest rules. Note the notification date.
Phase 4: The Waiting Game & Beyond
- Patience is Brutal: Judging takes MONTHS sometimes (looking at you, Scholastic!). Resist the urge to email asking for results.
- Keep Writing: Don't stop! Work on new pieces, enter other contests. Don't pin all hopes on one.
- Handle Results Gracefully:
- Win/Finalist? Celebrate! Thank anyone who helped. Read judges' notes if provided.
- Not this time? Feel bummed (totally normal!), then move on. Analyze objectively if possible: Was it the *right* contest for that piece? Could it be stronger? Rejection ≠ Bad Writing. It often just means "not right for *this* contest *this* year." Resubmit polished pieces elsewhere!
Common Questions About Writing Contests for High School Students (Answered Honestly)
Q: Are there any legit FREE writing contests for high school students?
A: Absolutely, yes! While many prestigious ones have fees (to fund prizes/admin), plenty of great free options exist. Look for:
- University-sponsored contests (like Princeton Poetry, John Locke).
- Non-profit literary magazines (like Adroit sometimes offers waivers, others are inherently free).
- Local/Regional contests (library systems, community foundations).
- Some categories within big contests (like specific Scholastic categories might have lower/no fee at regional level sometimes).
- Key: Always check the official rules. "Free" should be clearly stated. Be wary of hidden costs.
Q: How much time does it take to prepare for a writing competition as a busy student?
A: It varies wildly. Revising an existing polished piece? Maybe 5-10 hours over a few weeks. Starting from scratch for a national contest? Could be 20-50+ hours (research, drafting, revisions, polishing). Be realistic. Don't try to write a Nobel-winning novella the night before. Pick 1-2 contests per season you can realistically dedicate quality time to.
Q: I didn't win anything. Was it a waste of time?
A: Heck no. Seriously. Every piece you write and polish makes you a stronger writer. Going through the submission process teaches professionalism. Dealing with rejection builds resilience. Analyzing contest requirements hones your ability to follow complex instructions (hello, college apps!). You learned. That’s never wasted. Plus, you now have a polished piece ready for another venue!
Q: Can I submit the same piece to multiple contests at the same time?
A: Usually... NO. Check the rules of each contest! Most reputable contests require work to be unpublished and not submitted elsewhere simultaneously ("simultaneous submissions"). Violating this can get you disqualified from both. Wait until you hear a definite "no" from one contest before submitting the same piece elsewhere, unless the rules explicitly allow simultaneous submissions (some smaller journals might).
Q: My parents/teacher want to help edit. How much help is too much?
A: Tricky. The core idea, voice, and writing MUST be yours. Help catching typos, suggesting a stronger word here or there, pointing out confusing passages? Generally fine and helpful. Someone rewriting whole paragraphs, changing your core argument, or adding their own ideas? That crosses the line. Contests want to see YOUR talent. If you win based on someone else's heavy edits, it kinda defeats the purpose, right? When in doubt, ask the contest organizer what level of assistance is permissible.
Level Up: Insider Tips to Stand Out in Writing Competitions for Teens
Beyond the basics, here's what can push your entry into the "yes" pile:
- Nail the Opening: First lines are crucial. Hook the judge immediately with intrigue, action, a unique voice, or a stunning image. Make them *want* to keep reading.
- Specificity Beats Generalization: Don't write about "love." Write about the specific way your grandma folds her napkins and what that says about her love. Details are magnets.
- Voice Matters: Let your personality shine through authentically (within the genre/style). Don't try to sound like someone you're not. Judges can smell forced "literary" voice a mile away.
- Show, Don't Tell (Especially Fiction/CNF): Don't say "Sara was sad." Show us her trembling chin, the tear soaking into her homework, the way she couldn't taste her dinner.
- Endings Resonate: Avoid the "And then I woke up" cop-out or overly neat conclusions. Aim for endings that feel satisfying, thought-provoking, or emotionally resonant, even if they aren't happy.
- Follow ALL Formatting Rules: Seriously. It's the easiest way to show professionalism. 11pt Garamond when they asked for 12pt Times New Roman? Instant mark against you.
- Understand the Contest's Niche: Is The Concord Review looking for dense historical analysis? Is YoungArts seeking raw creative potential? Tailor your piece's focus accordingly.
The world of writing contests for high school students is vast and varied. Finding the right fit, putting in the thoughtful work, and learning from the process – win or lose – is invaluable. It's not just about the trophy; it's about becoming a better writer and discovering your voice. Now go find a contest that sparks your interest and give it your best shot!