10 Prestigious Essay Competitions for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
Prestigious essay competitions offer middle school students an excellent way to challenge themselves academically without the cost of traditional pre-college programs. These opportunities help you develop advanced writing, critical thinking, and research skills, often mirroring the kind of analytical work expected in college and professional settings. Participants also gain exposure to topics in philosophy, politics, history, and the humanities while learning to craft strong arguments and structure ideas with clarity. Beyond writing itself, these competitions encourage practical skills like time management, independent study, and academic discipline, all of which strengthen a student’s profile. Because they are typically free or low-cost, they’re an accessible way to gain global exposure and stand out on future college applications.
For those drawn to argumentative or analytical writing, essay competitions also act as early pathways into academic discourse, helping you practice persuasive reasoning, form evidence-based opinions, and build intellectual confidence. In this list, we’ve compiled some of the most prestigious essay competitions for middle school students, selected based on their academic rigor, networking opportunities, funding availability, low acceptance rates, and reputation of the host organizations.
Submission deadline: December 14
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 - 8
Cost: Free to enter
Prize: More than $11,000 in cash prizes and scholarships
The Junior Scholars Essay Contest invites students in grades 6 to 8 to wrestle with big questions, challenge common assumptions, and make their case with creativity and evidence.
As a participant, you will choose one of the five prompts and submit an argumentative essay on the chosen question. Submissions should be formal academic essays, in English, featuring a clear central argument, well-organized reasoning, use of relevant sources, and thoughtful analysis of opposing perspectives. Entries are judged on five criteria: originality, analysis, evidence, structure, and presentation. The word limit is 1000 words excluding citations.
Essays are reviewed by a panel of distinguished professors and researchers from Cambridge, Oxford, Columbia, Brown, and Dartmouth. 6 winners (1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 3 Bronze) will share a total of more than $11,000 in cash prizes and scholarships, besides many scholarships for top submissions.
Location: John Locke Institute, Oxford, UK (online submission; awards in London)
Cost: Free entry; late submission option £25 (7-day) or £75 (21-day)
Prizes: US$5,000 (category winner), US$2,000 (second), US$1,000 (third); Grand Prize—Honorary JLI Junior Fellowship with a US$10,000 scholarship
Program Dates: Submissions open June 1; submission deadline June 30; late entry windows July 1–July 7 and July 8–July 21; shortlist announced August 14; academic conference October 3–October 5; awards dinner October 4
Application Deadline: Registration closes May 31; submissions due June 30 (late submission options available through July 7 and July 21)
Eligibility: Open worldwide to students under 19 as of June 30; Junior Prize open to students 14 or younger as of June 30
This global competition invites essays in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law, plus a dedicated Junior category with distinct prompts. Entrants select one question and submit a single-author essay (max 2,000 words) demonstrating independent thinking, quality of argumentation, use of evidence, and clear structure. Submissions are reviewed by senior academics from leading universities under the chairmanship of Prof. Terence Kealey, with plagiarism/AI checks and optional viva-style discussions for verification. Shortlisted students are invited to an academic conference in London, with prize-winners announced at the awards dinner; attendance is optional and not required to win. Rules specify PDF naming conventions, no footnotes (endnotes/bibliography allowed), and a referee email for verification. Certificates are issued to shortlisted contestants, and prizes take the form of scholarships applicable to John Locke Institute programs.
Submission deadline: Typically runs from mid-March to mid-April
Eligibility: Middle or high school students who are 13-19 years old with permission from their parent or guardian
Cost: Free
Prize: Winning entries get published on The Learning Network
The New York Times’ Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest is aimed at students aged 13 to 19 worldwide, inviting you to craft persuasive open letters addressing issues you care about. You address your letter to a specific individual, group, or institution, with the larger aim to influence and persuade anyone who reads it, from the person you are writing for to the broader public.
Submissions must be no more than 500 words with evidence from at least one New York Times article and one external source. You will use a compelling voice to highlight your unique ideas and perspective. Top entries are published on The Learning Network, and you can look at past winning entries as well as detailed guidance about the competition here.
Location: Ayn Rand Institute, Santa Ana, CA (Online)
Cost: Free entry
Prizes: Up to $25,000 in scholarship awards; multiple smaller prizes available across finalists and semi-finalists
Program Dates: Submissions open each season; current deadline October 31 for all contests
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Open worldwide to middle and high school students aged 13 and older; the Anthem and The Fountainhead contests are ideal for grades 8–12.
The Ayn Rand Institute hosts annual essay contests on Rand’s novels Anthem, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged, challenging students to engage deeply with her philosophical themes. Participants analyze key ideas like individualism, freedom, and human purpose while developing skills in literary analysis, critical reasoning, and persuasive writing. Essays are judged on originality of thought, clarity of argument, and depth of understanding rather than agreement with Rand’s philosophy. Winners are selected through multiple judging rounds by academic and literary professionals, with prizes totaling over $130,000 annually. The contests provide a strong academic and college application credential, encouraging students to think critically about ethical and social questions within the context of classic literature.
Location: Write the World, Cambridge, MA (Online)
Cost: Free to enter
Prizes: Cash prizes for winners and runners-up; publication of winning pieces on the Write the World platform
Program Dates: Monthly competitions year-round (e.g., “Rule of Law” competition currently open; Nature Poetry in September; Short Story in November)
Application Deadline: Varies monthly; typically closes at the end of each month
Eligibility: Open worldwide to writers aged 13–19
Write the World hosts monthly international writing competitions designed to help teens refine their craft across multiple genres such as essays, op-eds, personal narratives, fiction, and poetry. Each competition centers on a theme and is judged by renowned authors, journalists, and professors who provide professional-level evaluation and feedback. Participants submit first drafts to receive peer and expert critique before final submission, fostering strong revision habits and critical thinking. Recent themes, such as “Rule of Law” and “Nature Poetry,” encourage students to explore complex social and philosophical ideas while improving argumentation, tone, and creative structure. Winning entries are featured on the platform, and top submissions receive monetary awards, making this one of the most accessible and skill-building essay opportunities for young writers worldwide.
Location: The New York Times Learning Network, New York, NY (Online)
Cost: Free entry
Prizes: Publication of winning pieces on The New York Times Learning Network; recognition from NYT editors and educators
Program Dates: Example – Tiny Memoir Contest: October 22–December 3; multiple contests run throughout the school year
Application Deadline: Varies by contest; Tiny Memoir Contest deadline – December 3
Eligibility: Open internationally to students ages 13–19; ideal for middle and high school writers
Hosted by The New York Times Learning Network, these student contests invite teenagers to write across genres such as personal narrative, opinion essays, and multimedia storytelling. Participants explore authentic, real-world writing forms under prompts like “Write a 100-Word Personal Narrative” or “What Got Your Attention in The Times This Week?” Essays are judged by NYT editors and journalists for voice, clarity, and creativity, offering students rare exposure to professional editorial review. Winning entries are published on The New York Times platform, offering unmatched visibility and credibility for young writers. Contests run year-round, encouraging reflection on current events, social issues, and personal experiences while helping students build concise, impactful writing skills that align with journalistic and academic standards.
Location: Royal Commonwealth Society, London, UK (Online submission; events hosted across Commonwealth countries)
Cost: Free entry
Prizes: Winners and runners-up receive medals, certificates, and a fully funded trip to London for “Winners Week,” which includes educational and cultural events hosted at Commonwealth institutions and a reception with members of the royal family
Program Dates: Annual competition (entries typically open in March and close in June); results announced later in the year
Application Deadline: Entries for the 2025 cycle are now closed; the next round will open in early spring (March–June window)
Eligibility: Open to all citizens and residents of Commonwealth countries aged under 18, divided into two categories — Senior (14–18 years) and Junior (under 14 years)
Established in 1883, the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing contest, organized to encourage youth voices across the 56 Commonwealth nations. Each year, participants respond to a theme reflecting shared global challenges, such as sustainability, equality, or journeys within the Commonwealth. Entries are judged by hundreds of volunteer readers and a final panel of literary experts, with winning essays recognized for originality, empathy, and insight. The program highlights creativity and global citizenship, offering winners the chance to engage with peers, leaders, and educators during the London Winners Week. For middle school students, the Junior Category offers an opportunity to express ideas on cultural identity and community through narrative or reflective essays.
Location: World History Association, Florence, MA (Online Submission)
Cost: Free to enter
Prizes: $500 cash prize and one-year WHA membership for the winning student; winning essays may be published in the World History Bulletin
Program Dates: Entries due May 1; winners announced at the WHA Annual Meeting in June
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open internationally to students in grades K–12 from public, private, and homeschool settings
The World Historian Student Essay Competition invites young writers to connect personal experience with global historical understanding. Participants submit a 1,000-word essay exploring a family story, cultural heritage, or regional event and relate it to world history. Essays are evaluated for thesis clarity, evidence-based reasoning, synthesis, and personal reflection, highlighting how history shapes individual perspectives. Submissions are reviewed for originality and are automatically disqualified if AI-generated responses are detected. Winners receive a cash award, publication consideration, and WHA membership, offering early exposure to professional historical scholarship. For middle schoolers, this competition provides a rigorous platform to practice narrative historical writing while engaging with personal and global perspectives.
Location: Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Copenhagen, Denmark (International; entries submitted via national operators)
Cost: Free entry through national programs
Prizes: International recognition, certificates, and publication opportunities for winning entries; national winners are advanced to the global competition stage
Program Dates: National competitions conclude by March; international jury review and awards follow in mid-year
Application Deadline: Varies by country; typically by March for national entries
Eligibility: Open internationally to students aged 11–25 (middle school, high school, and undergraduate categories); entries can be individual or team submissions
The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) Competition invites students to create impactful journalistic works, such as articles, photos, or videos, on sustainability challenges, including pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Entrants research a local environmental issue, propose a solution, and communicate their findings in a compelling, evidence-based format. Middle and high schoolers (ages 11–18) compete in national-level contests first, with top entries progressing to the international round judged by environmental and media experts. Evaluation focuses on composition, fairness, originality, and journalistic integrity. Winning essays and media pieces gain global recognition through the YRE network and affiliated environmental publications, making this a premier platform for students passionate about writing and the planet.
Location: Bow Seat Creative Action for Conservation, Boston, MA (Online)
Cost: Free entry
Prizes: Scholarships of up to $1,500 per category; special awards like the We All Rise Prize for underrepresented voices; certificates for honorable mentions
Program Dates: Entries open annually; current submission deadline June 8
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Open internationally to students ages 11–18; divided into Junior (11–14) and Senior (15–18) categories
The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest invites young writers and artists to explore the theme “Your Story, Our Ocean: How Our Ocean Sustains, Protects, and Inspires Us.” Students can submit original work across multiple categories, including Creative Writing (essays, short stories, or reflective narratives). Each entry must include a written reflection of 100–300 words describing the creative process and the lessons learned. Judges evaluate entries for originality, research depth, and personal engagement with environmental themes, emphasizing storytelling that connects science, art, and advocacy. Winning entries become part of Bow Seat’s global youth arts collection, and participants join a community of more than 42,000 students worldwide using writing and creativity to inspire ocean conservation.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Director, Dhruva, at dhruva.bhat@lumiere.education, or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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