HCGEC 2026
THE COMPLETE GUIDE

This manual covers everything you need to prepare, participate, and submit successfully. Scroll down to find it all, from timelines and prompts to bootcamps and recordings.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
Key Dates
on-demand bootcamps
live webinars
prompts
regional round guidelines
submission guidelines

Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition

A fully virtual writing challenge for motivated middle and high school students around the world.

Many students mistakenly believe that competitions are only for experts. However, the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC) is a global, virtual essay contest designed for both beginners and experts. More than just a competition, it's a comprehensive learning experience. Participants gain free access to pre-recorded webinars that teach essential skills for success.

Now in its 6th year, HCGEC is hosted through a joint collaboration between Crimson Education, Crimson Rise and The Harvard Crimson. Last year, we welcomed over 10,000+ students from 140+ countries, and we're excited for the journey that lies ahead for you!

You can view last year’s winning submissions here.

Introduction

Key DATES

All deadlines are 23:59 (GMT+0) on dates specified below.

Learning Resources

HCGEC 2026 Bootcamps

  • If you're new to Canvas:

    • Click this link

    • Select "I'm a student"

    • Input join code: 6E686F

    • Complete all of the fields.

    • Your username can be your email address
       

  • Already have a Canvas account?

    • Click this link and use the following join code: 6E686F

Bootcamps Topics

Module 1 : What’s an Essay?

LECTURE 1: Explaining Different Writing Styles

LECTURE 2: Components of a Strong Essay

LECTURE 3: The Importance of Topic Selection

Module 2 : Introduction to Creative Writing

LECTURE 4: The Elements of Creative Writing

LECTURE 5: Writing Prompts and Exercises for Creativity Enhancement 

LECTURE 6: Crafting Engaging and Unique Narratives

Module 3 : An Introduction to Argumentative Writing

LECTURE 7: Structure and Components of Argumentative Essays

LECTURE 8: Formulating Strong Arguments and Counter arguments

LECTURE 9: Understanding and Utilizing Persuasive Language in Argumentative Writing

Module 4 : An Introduction to
Journalistic Writing

LECTURE 10: Techniques for Long-form Storytelling

LECTURE 11: Investigative Journalism and In-depth Reporting

LECTURE 12: Ethical Considerations in Narrative Journalism

Module 5 : Final Touches &
Formatting

LECTURE 13: Essay Submission Ready Guidelines
and Techniques

Live Webinars


for College Applications

Essays That Get Accepted : Writing


how to make your application essays shine.

Discover what admissions officers look for and

8th March 2026

9 AM EST | 3 PM CET | 7.30 PM IST

Online

Register Now

Finding Your Personal Voice


Through Writing

Learn secrets by a Harvard Leader to master


essay strategies that win.

17th January 2026

9 AM EST | 3 PM CET | 7.30 PM IST

Online

View Recording

Persuade With Power : Strategies


for Effective Arguments

Master the art of persuasion and write essays


that make an impact.

8th February 2026

9 AM EST | 3 PM CET | 7.30 PM IST

Online

View Recording

Unleashing Imagination : The Art


of Creative Writing


unleash your creative potential.

Learn how to craft compelling stories and

7th February 2026

9 AM EST | 3 PM CET | 7.30 PM IST

Online

View Recording


Journalistic Pieces

Truth in Words : Crafting Impactful

Understand what makes journalistic writing


stand out and how to write with precision.

15th February 2026

9 AM EST | 3 PM CET | 7.30 PM IST

Online

View Recording

ESSAY Prompts

PROMPT SELECTION

Each participant will select one prompt from any one of the categories ( creative, argumentative, or journalistic) below.

The submission form will be shared with all the registered participants once registrations close on 10th February.

CREATIVE

  1. Choose a character from a book, movie, or TV show of your choice. Imagine this character wakes up on a planet not yet discovered by humans. Craft a descriptive story about how the character manages to make it back to Earth. 

  2. A door appears in your home that wasn't there before. It leads to a version of your life where you made a different choice in the past. You can visit, but you cannot stay. What do you find?

  3. Write from the perspective of an object that has witnessed three generations of a family. What has it seen that the family themselves have forgotten or never knew?

ARGUMENTATIVE

  1. Should elite universities prioritise merit or racial equity in admissions decisions? Argue which leads to a fairer society.

  2. Is talent or effort more important in achieving success? Use examples from education, sports, or well-known figures to compare natural ability and perseverance.

  3. Should voting be mandatory in democratic societies? Argue whether compulsory participation strengthens or undermines the integrity of democracy.

JOURNALISTIC

  1. Examine how youth—either today or at earlier moments in history—have reshaped an industry. Explore the challenges the individual/group faced and the lasting impact of their innovative approaches.

  2. Investigate how a public space in your area (a park, library, community center, etc.) has changed over time. What does its evolution reveal about the people who use it and the forces shaping your community?

  3. Examine how a school, workplace, or institution in your community is rethinking mental health support. What's working, what's missing, and who is leading the change?

REGIONAL SUBMISSION

The regional qualifying submission has a maximum length of 500 words. The top 5 creative, top 5 argumentative, and top 5 journalistic
essays from each region will be invited to the Global Final.

View the detailed guidelines here

JUDGING RUBRIC

Click here to view the Judging Rubrics for the HCGEC 2026 here

Regional QUALIFIERS

  1. Submit a 500-word essay in response to your chosen prompt.

  2. Choose from three tracks: creative, argumentative or journalistic.

  3. Submit as a Word Document via the submission link that will be provided to registrants.

  4. All participants will be invited to exclusive bootcamps hosted by top professionals and professors.

  5. Top 30 essays per region (10 per track) will advance to the Global Finals.

SUBMISSION
Guidelines

The following guidelines cover the general rules on submissions, which are relevant to the regional and global rounds. More detailed guidelines will be sent to each participant’s registered email.

View Submission Example Here

GENERAL

  • Open to students aged 10 -18 worldwide

  • Essays must be written in English

  • Each participant may submit one entry only

  • Choose one prompt from one category

  • Must respond to an official prompt from one of three categories:

    • Creative

    • Argumentative

    • Journalistic

  • Max 500 words (excluding citations, title and student name)

  • Submission must be in Word document format (.doc) – Google Docs or Drive links will not be accepted

  • Use Times New Roman size 11 with 1.5 spacing

  • All submissions must be original work – entries will be screened for plagiarism and AI use

FIRST PAGE REQUIREMENTS

The first page of your submission must have the following information:

  • Full name

  • Essay category (creative, argumentative, or journalistic)

  • Chosen prompt

  • The competition region you’re from

    • North America

    • LATAM

    • APAC (includes East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania)

    • Middle East, Africa, Russia

    • Europe and Central Asia

NAMING DIRECTIONS

Please follow these guidelines when naming your submission document:

  • Start with the number of your chosen prompt (1, 2 or 3) as listed in the submission form

  • Add ‘_creative’, ‘_argumentative’ or ‘journalistic’ based on your selected essay category

  • End with your surname

For example, if Jane Doe selects prompt 2 in the creative category, the file name should be: ‘2_Creative_Doe’

View an example here

Submit ESSAY HERE

Kazakhstan participants can submit their essays here