85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
First, Let’s Take a Look at the Contest Schedule
Similar to last year, the 2024-25 contests are still open to middle and high school students worldwide, ages 13-19. Here is the list of all the New York Times competitions in the 2024-25.
| Schedule | Competition |
|---|---|
| September – October | Election 2024 Student Conversation Forum |
| Oct 2 – Nov 4 | Coming of Age in 2024: A Multimedia Contest Image |
| Nov 6 – Dec 4, 2024 | My Tiny Memoir: Our 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest |
| Dec 4 – Jan 15, 2025 | Where We Are: Photo Essays About Community |
| Jan 15 – Feb 12, 2205 | My List: A Different Kind of Review Contest |
| Feb 12 – Mar 12, 2025 | ‘How to …’: An Informational Writing Contest |
| Jan 15 – Feb 12, 2205 | My List: A Different Kind of Review Contest |
| Mar 12 – Apr 16, 2025 | Open Letters: Our Opinion Writing Contest |
| Apr 16 – May 14, 2025 | Audio Stories: Our Podcast Contest |
| Mar 12 – Apr 16, 2025 | Open Letters: Our Opinion Writing Contest |
| June 6 – Aug 15, 2025 | Voice and Choice: Our Summer Reading Contest |
| All School Year | Our Conversation Challenge for Weekly Current Events |
What’s New in the 2024-25 New York Times Student Contest?
The New York Times recently introduced a new competition called “The U.S. Election Student Conversation Forum,” aligning with current U.S. political events. Students from the U.S. and worldwide are invited to engage in thoughtful conversations about their identities, values, beliefs, and more.
Following this, the Coming of Age in 2024: A Multimedia Contest allows participants to express their opinions about the questions in the Election 2024 Student Conversation Forum through writing, video, audio, or visual art.
The My List: A Different Kind of Review Contest is another new addition to the competition series. Students can select 3-5 works of art or culture, combine them in some way, and then explain to the readers why they should (or shouldn’t) check them out.
For example, you might choose 3 novels featuring outstanding teenage characters or 4 sci-fi movies that even non-sci-fi fans will love. Let your imagination and creativity run wild!
New York Times 2024-25 Contest Descriptions
September-October 2024: [NEW] U.S. Election Student Conversation Forum
This discussion forum encourages teenagers to reflect on their political values, beliefs, and identities and share their perspectives on current issues. The key questions for each forum and the dates for open comments are as follows:
- Forum 1 | Identity: Who are you, and how does that identity inform your political beliefs and values? (Opens Sept. 10)
- Forum 2 | Conversations Across Divides: What experiences have you had in talking to those who may not agree with you — whether in school, with friends and family, or online? What has been helpful? What has been hard? Why do these conversations matter? (Opens Sept. 12)
- Forum 3 | The Issues: What issues matter to you most? How do they connect to your life and the lives of those you care about? (Opens Sept. 17)
- Forum 4 | Information and Disinformation: Where do you get your information about current events? How do you think these sources affect your understanding of our world? (Opens Sept. 19)
- Forum 5 | Hope for the Future: What are you optimistic about? What might your generation do better than those that came before it? (Opens Sept. 24)
October 2 – November 4, 2024: [NEW] Coming of Age in 2024: A Multimedia Contest
This contest asks students to respond to one of the questions posed in the U.S. Election Student Conversation Forum in writing/visual art/video/audio, etc. Students can participate individually or in teams.
November 6 – December 4, 2024: 100-Word Personal Narrative Writing Contest
In just 100 words, what story can you tell about your life? The contest invites students to write a personal narrative about a meaningful life experience.
December 4, 2024 – January 15, 2025: Where We Are: Photo Essays About Community
Inspired by The New York Times “Where We Are” series, the contest invites students to work alone or with others to photograph a community they are interested in. You can document any offline community you like, featuring people of any age. Then submit 6 to 8 images with captions and a brief introduction.
January 15 – February 12, 2025: [NEW] My List Student Review Contest
Students can select 3-5 works of art or culture and then explain to the readers why they should (or shouldn’t) check them out. Students can participate individually or in teams. Students can list any form of creative expression reported by The New York Times, such as books, movies, restaurants, albums, plays, video games, dance, TV shows, architecture, or art exhibitions.
February 12 – March 12, 2025: Informational Writing Contest
Inspired by The New York Times magazine’s long-running Tip column, students are invited to write a brief, 400-word description of accomplishing a particular task. As long as your topic is suitable for a newspaper, you can provide instructions on anything, including topics the tips column has covered before. However, students must find, interview, and quote a relevant expert in their article.
March 12 – April 16, 2025: Open Letter Writing Contest (Editorial Contest)
This contest invites students to write a letter of protest or appeal in 460 words or less, addressed to an individual or group who can change an issue you care about. While your letter should be aimed at a specific audience, its real purpose is to be read by the public and have an impact on them.
Unlock Your Writing Potential: Students in Our Writing Competition Preparation Class Are More Likely to Secure Awards
April 16 – May 14, 2025: Podcast Contest
This contest invites students to create an original podcast of 5 minutes or less designed to inform or entertain listeners. You can create a podcast on any topic and in any format, whether it’s an expert interview, an informal conversation with friends, a news investigation, a fictional story, or any other form you can think of.
June 6 – August 15, 2025: Summer Reading and Writing Contest
Throughout the 10-week contest, each week, the contest will pose a question: “What caught your attention in The New York Times this week?” Students can submit a short written response or a video response of no more than 90 seconds.
Please note that before the contest begins, the New York Times may adjust the dates or release updated rules! Aralia recommends checking the official website to stay informed about the latest contest details.
Prepare for New York Times Contest with Aralia
At Aralia Education, we offer online competition preparation classes designed to help students excel in writing competitions, including the prestigious New York Times contests. Our team of experts in high school education provides students with unparalleled access to state-of-the-art resources and dedicated, skillful guidance from experienced teachers vetted from the nation’s top-ranking high schools. Whether you want to prepare for the New York Times Student Editorial Contest, the Tiny Memoir Contest, or other writing competitions, our award-winning teachers are here to help you achieve your goals.
