New York Times Student Review Contest
The NY Times invites students to play critic and write an original review for their New York Times Student Review Contest. Students can review anything that fits into a category of creative expression that The New York Times covers — from architecture to music.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
Students who are 13-19
Eligibility
Free
Entry fee
November 1 to December 6
Competition Timeline
2 months after the contest has closed
Winners annouced
Competition Details
1. Eligibility
This contest is open to students ages 13 to 19 in middle school or high school worldwide ( high school postgraduate students who haven’t enrolled in a college can apply). Students attending their first year of a two-year CEGEP in Quebec Province can also participate. If students are directly related to New York Times employees or live in the same household as those employees are not eligible to enter this contest.
2. Subject categories
Students have to submit a review of something that debuted in 2023 and fits into one of the following categories of creative expression that The New York Times reviews: architecture, art, books, cars, comedy, dance, fashion, hotels, movies, music, podcasts, restaurants, technology, theater, TV shows, video games
3. Review Limit
450 words or fewer, not including the title. One entry per student
4. Prizes
Having your work published on The Learning Network.
Submission Details
All entries must be submitted by December 6, 2023 at 11:59pm
1. Word Limit
450 words (not counting title).
2. Individual/Group Submission
Students must work alone and submit one entry per student.
3. Submission Requirement
As part of your submission, you must also submit an “artist’s statement” that describes your process. Students are asked to reflect on what they did and why, what was difficult in order for the team to improve their contests and the curriculum to support students.
How Will Your Work Be Judged?
The review should communicate your subjective experience and your reactions (intellectual, emotional, and visceral) in a clear and engaging way.
The review presents relevant and accurate details from the creative work coherently.
The review is written for a broad cross-section of people and takes into account for whom the creative work is intended.
The review has a strong voice and engages the reader. It uses language style and tone-appropriate its purpose and features are correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Submission follows all contest guidelines, including a maximum word count of 450 words and addresses a category of creative work reviewed by Times critics.
