Harvard Political Review Essay Competition
Organized by the Harvard Political Review (HPR), Harvard Political Review Essay Competition is a student-run journal of politics, policy, and culture founded in 1969, attracting students from over 20 countries across 5 continents. This is a prestigious opportunity for students passionate about social and political issues to showcase their analytical and writing skills.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
Students in grades 6 to 12
Eligibility
$35-$55 per student
Entry fee
Latest March 1, 2025
Registration deadline
Competition Details
1. Eligibility
- Middle School Category: Grades 6-8 (Year 7-9)
High School Category: Grades 9-12 (Year 10-13)
Participants can compete individually or in teams of 2-5 students (all team members must be from the same school).
2. Deadlines and Fees
- Priority Deadline: January 1, 2025 ($35 per student)
- Regular Deadline: February 1, 2025 ($45 per student)
- Late Deadline: March 1, 2025 ($55 per student)
Fee Waiver is available for low-income students (must be requested before the regular deadline via school counselor/principal).
3. Competition Timeline
- Pre-Competition: Exclusive Zoom sessions with HPR for skill-building (date TBA)
- Preliminary Round: March 6, 2025
- Prize Ceremony: Date TBA
4. Prizes and Recognition
All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
- Country and Regional Awards: Champion, 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, Honor, Merit
- Global Awards: Global Champion, 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, Special Prize. The Harvard Political Review will feature the Global Champions, 1st runners-up, and 2nd runner-up’s work on its website.
- Team Awards: Teams are eligible for both individual and team awards (based on top two individual scores)
Submission Details
1. Prompts
- In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s win in the United States presidential election this November, the far-reaching consequences of U.S. politics on the global stage are top of mind for many. From shifts in global economic partnerships to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the world is watching closely for how the change in administration will shape the coming years. Choose an international issue that you believe will be influenced by this election outcome. Write an opinionated article discussing why you anticipate change and the potential challenges or opportunities this change might afford.
- Today, the world is more globalized than ever, with a variety of institutions to support such integration. Write on the international institution of your choice, analyzing how it affects one or more salient international issues today.
- Former House Speaker Tip O’Neill is famous for bringing the phrase “all politics is local” into the public consciousness. Write an article analyzing an issue important to your home community and evaluating potential solutions.
- Whether in voting booths, classrooms, protests, or on social media, youth engagement in politics has taken new forms and importance in recent years. Investigate how the youth are influencing political decisions, either in the U.S. or globally. Highlight specific movements or individuals driving change and explore the potential impact of their efforts on future policies.
Technological advances can quickly shape world events, whether it’s Starlink satellites supporting troops in Ukraine or AI bots spreading election misinformation on X. Write about an emerging technology and its implications for the future of politics.
2. Submission details
- Individual Category: Submit one essay responding to one of the provided prompts.
- Team Category: Each team member selects a distinct prompt (e.g., a team of 3 submits 3 essays on 3 different prompts).
- Essay Format: 800-1,200 words per essay. All essays must use Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced with APA referencing style.
