A global platform for
THE NEXT GENERATION OF WRITERS

The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC) gives high school students around the world the chance to sharpen their writing while connecting with leading professionals and a community of future thinkers.

Hosted online by The Harvard Crimson and Crimson Education, the competition opens doors to college preparation, creative exploration and the confidence to express ideas with impact.

WHAT IS HCGEC?
PRIZES
TESTIMONIALS
JUDGES
PARTNERS
register now

What IS HCGEC?

The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition is an annual, fully virtual writing challenge open to high school students around the world.

  • Designed for students 13-18

  • Accessible to students in every country with no geographical barriers

  • Backed by two globally respected educational institutions

  • Offers university-level challenges for practical application

Line

How IT WORKS

  1. Register according to the timeline

  2. Wait for the HCGEC prompts to release

  3. Choose your track between creative, argumentative, journalistic, or topical

  4. Write your essay – 500 words max based on your selected prompt

  5. Compete in the regional round – the top 10 essays per category and region are invited to participate in the global finals

  6. Get recognised – global winners are published, endorsed and invited to earn a spot in the Harvard Crimson Summer Journalism Program

register now

Why
IT MATTERS

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Learn to write with structure, originality and impact

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Build experience beyond the traditional classroom

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Stand out in university applications

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Explore future career tracks in writing, journalism, marketing and communication

2026 GLOBAL PRIZES

Gold medal with the number one

1st Place Winners
from 4 Categories


$1000
Cash Prize
+

$1000
Crimson Mentorship Credit

  • Essays published on the Official HCGEC

  • Receive global champion certificates

  • Free participation for the Summer

  • Journalism Course by Harvard Crimson

Silver medal with the number two

2nd Place Winners
from 4 Categories


$750
Cash Prize
+

$750
Crimson Mentorship Credit

  • Essays published on the Official HCGEC

  • Receive global champion certificates

  • Free participation for the Summer

  • Journalism Course by Harvard Crimson

Copper medal with the number three

3rd Place Winners
from 4 Categories


$500
Cash Prize
+

$500
Crimson Mentorship Credit

  • Essays published on the Official HCGEC

  • Receive global champion certificates

  • Free participation for the Summer

  • Journalism Course by Harvard Crimson

JOIN THE COMPETITION

Let’s TAKE ABOUT REAL IMPACT

  • A young boy with dark hair smiling outside with greenery in the background.

    1ST PLACE WINNER 2025 - CREATIVE

    “I really enjoyed the variety of unique prompts that HCGEC offered, and I think that’s what makes the competition so unique. Additionally, the initial 500 word limit forces you to make your writing concise and precise, which I believe is an important skill for any writer to have. Overall, HCGEC was a really awesome experience and I recommend it to all students even slightly passionate about writing.”

    Justin Yu
    United States of America

5 Global REGIONS

World map graphic with labels
SEE THE FULL TIMELINE AND GUIDELINES

JUDGES

Each HCGEC submission is evaluated by a panel of experienced educators, journalists and Harvard Crimson editors who understand what makes a piece of writing stand out.

Judges are selected for their:

  • Proven expertise in writing and education

  • Commitment to fair, transparent assessment

  • Passion for supporting emerging talent

  • A young man with short brown hair, smiling slightly, against a plain gray background.

    CREATIVE

    Justin Yu
    United States of America

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF giants

We’re proudly powered by partners who lead the world in education, innovation and academic success.

  • Red circular emblem logo

    THE HARVARD CRIMSON

    The nation’s oldest continuously published daily college newspaper, the Crimson has shaped some of the most respected journalists of our time – including over 25 Pulitzer Prize winners. Founded in 1873, it remains a symbol
    of truth, inquiry and integrity.

  • CRIMSON logo

    CRIMSON EDUCATION

    Crimson Education is the world’s leading university admissions consultancy, with students 4x more likely to gain acceptance to Ivy League and Oxbridge schools. They support students in reaching their full potential – strategically, academically and personally.

  • C G A logo

    CRIMSON GLOBAL ACADEMY

    Crimson Global Academy (CGA) is
    a fully online, real-time high school offering internationally recognized qualifications. CGA enables ambitious students worldwide to accelerate their education and unlock global opportunities.