The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC) brings together from around the world ambitious high school students (aged 13 - 18) with a passion for, or interest in, writing. The two Principal Partners of HCGEC are The Harvard Crimson and Crimson Education.

HCGEC 2022 will run from January through February. The competition features two key rounds, the regional qualifiers held throughout 5 regions, followed by the global finals.

1. Australia & New Zealand

2. Central and South America

3. East, South and Southeast Asia

4. Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Central Asia

5. North America

Top 10 essays from each region (5 argumentative and 5 creative) will be invited to represent their region and qualify for the global finals! The top 8 submissions (4 argumentative and 4 creative) will be recognized in the global final and will win awesome prizes.

Global Prizes (Top 8)

1st Place: US$ 1,000

2nd Place: US$ 750

3rd Place: US$ 500

All winners will receive the same amount Crimson Mentorship Credits, Harvard merch, exclusive Harvard Crimson internship with letter of recommendation and global champion certificates. The winners' essays will be published on the official Harvard Crimson Essay Competition website.

English Language Learner Award

US$ 100 + Harvard merch

Regional Qualifier Prizes (Top 10 in each Region)

US$25 Amazon Gift Card + Regional Finalist Certificate

Each participant selects a prompt at the beginning of the competition and will submit a 500 word (max) essay. Each essay will be marked in accordance with the marking rubric and against other competitors in each region and round.

Click HERE to learn the submission example.

Click HERE to read the past winner’s essays (Argumentative).

Click HERE to read the past winners’ essays (Creative).