Academic competitions for college admissions — For aspiring students targeting top universities, participating in prestigious academic competitions for college admissions offers a significant advantage by enhancing their college applications. Exposure to such an environment demonstrates their intellectual curiosity, highlights their passions and adaptability and offers them stories and experiences to share in their personal essays during college admissions.
Academic Competitions for College Admissions
In today’s times, a strong GPA alone is not enough to get you through your dream college. Additional qualifications like participating in extracurriculars and academic competitions can go a long way and give you the much needed edge over other qualified applicants. We have listed some advantages of participating in academic competitions for college admissions –
Opportunities beyond the Classroom – Academic competitions for college admissions give you opportunities to think out of the box, interact with students with similar interests and learn beyond the confines of classroom teaching.
Highlights your Skills and Achievements – Participating and winning competitions demonstrates that you are a self-starter who takes initiatives, and highlights your special skills and exceptional talents.
Keeps you motivated – When you participate in academic competitions, you are in a positive environment surrounded by inspiring and motivating peers.
Develops Life-Skills – These competitions demand application of knowledge in different scenarios and develop your critical thinking and analytical skills with complex problems under pressure. You develop skills like communication, cooperation, teamwork and leadership.
Fosters Confidence and Resilience – These competitions foster self-confidence, perseverance and ability to handle pressure. At times you may face setbacks, but you will get to learn from them.
Builds Networks – Academic competitions for college admissions offer opportunities to build networks with like-minded people – peers, mentors and experts in the field leading to potential future opportunities.
Helps in getting Scholarships – Academic competitions for college admissions necessitates a strategic approach to maximise scholarship opportunities. These competitions offer scholarships, awards and recognition that can help you get into your dream colleges while easing your financial burdens.
Best Academic Competitions for High School Students
A fantastic way to stand out in college admissions is participating in national academic contests to demonstrate their academic prowess. We have listed some of the national academic competitions for college admissions and many more that impress college admissions officers and categorised them as below –
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM Competitions for College Admissions
Some of the major academic competitions for college admissions in the field of Science and Mathematics have been listed below –
| Name of the Academic Competition | Competition Level | Description | Awards/Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) | National | Original research and presenting their findings | Scholarship |
| Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) | Local, Regional, International | Independent research projects | Awards and Scholarships |
| USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) | National, International | Programming competition | Top performers go to a summer training camp, and top four represent the US in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) |
| USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS) or American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) or American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) or International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) | National, International | Mathematical knowledge and application competition | Global Recognition |
| Science Olympiad | Regional, National, International | Tests diverse STEM fields and in-depth knowledge and application of scientific concepts. | Top winners are recognised globally |
| Chemistry Olympiad (ACS and International), Physics Olympiad & Biology Olympiad | Regional, National, International | Tests theoretical and practical knowledge in Chemistry, Physics and Biology respectively | Top performers represent their countries in International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) and International Biology Olympiad |
| FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)/FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) | Regional, National, International | Designing, building and programming robots | Official FIRST trophy and a bid to the next level of competition FRC |
| National Science Bowl | National | Team-based Science competition sponsored by US Department of Energy | Trophies, individual medals, recognition |
| The Earth Prize | International | Developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges | Financial Awards to help implement their environmental solutions |
| American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Neuroscience Research Prize | National | Investigate problems regarding the brain or nervous system, national level | Monetary Prize and a chance to represent their project in the AAN annual meeting |
| NCF-Envirothon | State, National, International | Environmental education competition | Scholarships |
| Stockholm Junior Water Prize | Regional, State, National, International | A competition to address the current and future water challenges | Certificates (regional), Medals (state), Trophy (national & international) and Scholarships (international) |
| TOPSS Competition | National | Students make a 3 min video to demonstrate their interest and understanding of a topic in Psychology. | Scholarship |
| Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) National Competition | Regional and National | Submitting scientific research papers in categories like Environmental Science, Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Health | Military sponsored undergraduate scholarships |
| Destination Imagination | Regional, State, National, International | Technical, scientific and engineering related Science based challenges | Awards and Recognition |
Other academic competitions for college admissions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) include –
- MIT THINK Scholars Program
- Conrad Challenge
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship
- Breakthrough Junior Challenge
- Biotechnology Institute BioGENEius Challenge
- Genes in Space
- Biomimicry Institute – Youth Design Challenge
- AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest
- DNA Day Essay contest
- Odyssey of the Mind
- ArcGIS Online Competition
- TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science)
- Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest
Humanities and Social Sciences – Competitions that Impress College Admissions
Some of the impactful academic competitions for college admissions in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences have been listed below –
| Name of the Academic Competition | Competition Level | Description | Awards/Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| National History Day (NHD) | Regional, State, National | Historical Research-Based Competition presented in the form of documentaries, papers, exhibits, websites or performances | Monetary Award |
| National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Competitions | National | Debates, Public Speaking, Performances | Scholarships |
| Model United Nations (MUN) | Regional, National | Simulation of UN assembly addressing global issues | Recognition, Certifications |
| Academic Decathlon | Local, Regional, State, National | 10 events, covering all subjects centred around one theme | Medals, Recognition |
| National Mock Trial | Regional, National | Debates based on hypothetical legal cases | Cash awards, certifications |
| Conrad Challenge | International | Designing innovative solutions to global issues | Recognition, Scholarships |
Writing Competitions for College Students
Another aspect of your academic prowess is how well you can express yourself while applying your knowledge. Some of the major academic competitions for college admissions in the field of Writing include –
| Name of the Competition | Type | Prize Money | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose | Poetry and Prose | ＄200 | High School Students and Undergraduate students |
| The New York Times Student Writing Contests | Opinion pieces, personal narratives | Publication on The New York Times Learning Network website | 13 to 19 years old |
| Ayn Rand Anthem Essay Contests | Essays | ＄2000 | All middle and high school students |
| Ayn Rand The Fountainhead Essay Contests | Essays | ＄25,000 | All middle and high school students |
| Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay contest | Essays | ＄25,000 | All high school, undergrad and grad students |
| Ten-Minute Play Contest | Plays | ＄100-500 | For 11th Grade students |
| Leonard L. Milberg ‘53 High School Poetry Prize | Poetry | ＄500 – ＄1500 | For 11th grade students |
| World Historian Student Essay Competition | Essays | ＄500 | For grades K to 12 |
| Bennington College Young Writers Award | Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction | ＄250 – ＄1000 | High School Students |
| Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest | Essays | ＄250 – ＄1000 | All high school, undergrad and grad students |
| John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest | Essays | ＄100 – ＄10000 | High School Students |
| SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest | Essays | ＄300 – ＄1000 | High School Students |
| YoungArts National Writing Competition | Fiction, Non-Fiction, Plays, Scrips, Poetry, Spoken word | ＄250 – ＄10000 | Grades 10 to 12 |
| John Locke Institute Essay Competition | Essays | ＄2000 – ＄10000 | High School Students |
| Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest | Creative Writing and Poetry | ＄100 – ＄1500 | Junior and High School students |
| AFSA National High School Essay Contest | Essays | ＄1200 – ＄2500 | High School Students |
Extracurricular Competitions for College Applications
Aside from the conventional academic competitions for college admissions, here is a list of extracurricular competitions that can boost your profile for college –
Speech Competitions
- National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament
- World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC)
- International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) by English Speaking Union (ESU)
- American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest
- Poetry Out Loud
- Harvard National High School Invitational Forensics Tournament
- Tournament of Champions (TOC)
- Leader in Me Global Student SPeech Contest
- GEMA International Student Speaker Competition
Music & Arts Competitions
- National YoungArts Competition
- International Youth Music Competitions
- National Youth Orchestras
- Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competitions
- Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition
- Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
- Doodle for Google
- Congressional Art Competition
- Sony World Photography Awards – Youth Competition
Business and Entrepreneurship Competitions
- Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) organises district level, state/provincial level and international level events.
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organises business and technology related events that culminates in a National LEadership Conference.
- Wharton Global High School Investment Competition hosted by University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School
- Diamond Challenge by the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship
- Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC)
- SAGE Global Competitions
- Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition
How to get into College with Academic Awards?
Participating in academic competitions for college admissions and securing academic awards from school, national or international competitions are powerful validators that help showcase your intellect, capabilities and dedication. It is a way of showcasing that you are competent to handle more than just the standard curriculum while pursuing other interests and hobbies that excite you. It doesn’t matter where you are from. Explore academic awards that boost college acceptance in your own states, countries and globally. It’s not about gathering a long list of awards. It’s about telling a powerful story of your academic journey and potential to persuade a college that you are a perfect fit!
Ascend Now – The Edge You Need for College Admissions
Ready to transform your college applications? Connect with our experts at Ascend Now. Work with Ivy League Counsellors to plan, prepare and secure admission in your dream university. Build your profile as we help turn your passions into highly impactful projects. We help you recognise your potential, identify academic competitions for college admissions that fit your intellect and help you prepare for them. Start early, as Malcolm X has rightly said, “Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today!”
