Harvard International Review

HIR Academic Writing Contest

harvard essay competition high school

The Harvard International Review is a quarterly magazine offering insight on international affairs from the perspectives of scholars, leaders, and policymakers. Since our founding in 1979, we've set out to bridge the worlds of academia and policy through outstanding writing and editorial selection.

The quality of our content is unparalleled. Each issue of the Harvard International Review includes exclusive interviews and editorials by leading international figures along with expert staff analysis of critical international issues. We have featured commentary by 43 Presidents and Prime Ministers, 4 Secretaries-General, 4 Nobel Economics Prize laureates, and 7 Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

The Contest

Inspired by our growing high school readership around the world, we created the Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest to encourage and highlight outstanding high school writing on topics related to international affairs.

Contest Format

Participants in the contest submit a short-form article on a topic in international affairs. Each submission will be read and graded by the Harvard International Review .

A number of contestants will be selected as finalists, who are invited to participate in a virtual HIR Defense Day. At the Defense Day, students will have to opportunity to give a 15-minute presentation and oral defense to Harvard International Review judges. Students will also be able to attend other special events related to international affairs.

Submission Guidelines

All submissions must adhere to the following requirements, as outlined in the Submission Guide below.

Theme: Technological Advancement and the World

Content: Articles should address a topic related to international affairs today. Potential categories include (but are not limited to): Agriculture, Business, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, Employment & Immigration, Energy & Environment, Finance & Economy, Public Health, Science & Technology, Space, Trade, and Transportation

Length: Articles should be at least 800 words but not exceed 1,200 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, or authorship declaration)

Writing Style: Submissions should present analytically backed perspective on an under-appreciated global topic.  

Excellent contest submissions will aim to present a topic holistically from a balanced perspective. Evidence and nuance are critical. Submissions should be well-researched, well-informed, and formal in style and prose.

The HIR does not accept op-eds , otherwise known as editorials or opinion pieces for its competition. Articles are expected to have a thesis but should not have agenda. Submissions should also not be merely a collection of facts.

As a journalist organization, we ask that submissions follow AP Style's newest edition . We also ask that submissions are culturally sensitive, fact-checked, and respectful.

Examples of pieces that would be considered excellent submissions are below.

harvard essay competition high school

Citation and Sources : All factual claims must be backed by a citation from a reliable source. All ideas that are not your own must be properly attributed. Citations should be made via hyperlinks. Non-digital sources are welcome but must be cited properly as per AP Style . See the examples above for examples of using hyperlinks for citations.

Submission Guide

Contest dates.

There are three distinct submission cycles for the 2023 Contest.

Please note that contestants are requested to register and pay before becoming eligible to submit their articles prior to the submission deadline.  

Admissions are done on a rolling basis! Capacity is limited.

Spring 2023

Submission Deadline: May 31, 2023

Defense Day: June 26, 2023

Summer 2023

Submission Deadline: August 31, 2023

Defense Day: September 25, 2023

Fall 2023 / Winter 2024

Submission Deadline: January 2, 2024

Defense Day: February 5, 2024

Contest Prizes

All submissions will receive a letter grade from the Harvard International Review . Contestants that receive a passing grade without qualifying for a HIR Defense Day will receive a Commendation. Finalists will be eligible for the following medals based on their preliminary grade and performance in the HIR Defense Day.

Commendation: HIR Certificate

Silver and Bronze Medal: HIR Certificate and name listed on website

Gold Medal: HIR Certificate, name and paper linked on website

All grading and prize decisions are final. The contest will not be able to provide additional detail beyond the grades provided by Harvard graders.

Contest Eligibility:

United States

Students are eligible if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or if they are U.S. citizens/lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

International

Students in countries outside of the United States are also welcome to submit. Submissions are expected to be written in English and with traditional American spelling. For more information on submissions in your country, please contact [email protected]

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COMPETITIONS

Develop your critical thinking and communication skills while having your work recognized by one of the most prominent collegiate newspapers in the world., december 2023 - june 2024, grow your vision.

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About:   Calling all entrepreneurs! We are excited to announce the launch of our newest competition in partnership with Asdan China. This startup-style contest is tailor-made to cultivate the next generation of problem solvers. Participants will engage in two rigorous rounds—a preliminary round (virtual submissions) followed by a thrilling championship round held in-person at The Crimson. Those who qualify for the Championship Round will have an opportunity to be mentored by industry professionals and members of The Harvard Crimson's esteemed business board, offering a platform to test and refine one’s business acumen.

For more information and to submit by the April 6th deadline, explore below:

HARVARD Crimson Business Competition

January - march 2024.

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About:  The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition brings together ambitious high school students from around the world with an interest in writing. This competition is an annual opportunity for students to showcase their talents on a global stage, compete to win exclusive educational opportunities and prizes, and explore different possibilities of a future in writing.

Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition

Coming soon - spring 2024.

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About:  Apply formal frameworks used in consulting and finance to solve real-world problems with a combination of qualitative and quantitative analytical tools

Participants will receive access to The Crimson's robust network of alumni in these fields, while winners will be invited to take an internship on The Crimson's summer 2024 business team.

Harvard Crimson Business Case Competition

Past competitions, spring 2023.

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About:  As the nation's oldest continuously published collegiate newspaper, The Crimson's newsroom has been a transformative experience for generations of young journalists. Through this competition, we hope to inspire high schoolers of all experience levels to develop their research and writing skills in the same way.

Participants will receive access to The Crimson's robust network of alumni in these fields, while winners will be invited to take an internship on The Crimson's summer 2024 content  team.

HARVARD Crimson Journalism Competition

Submissions for Equilibrium are now open! The Semester 2 early deadline is March 3rd, 2024.

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Harvard international economics essay competition, description.

The 2023 Harvard International Economics Essay Contest is sponsored by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association (HUEA) in conjunction with the Harvard College Economics Review (HCER). This essay competition is open to high school students of any year and is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate an accomplished level of writing and understanding of economic theory. Through the contest, student competitors hone their academic and professional skills and exhibit their knowledge to future employers and academic programs.  Competitors must construct a convincing argument using economic theory and real-world examples.  Winning essays will be published in the Harvard Economics Review and will be available for the greater Harvard community to read. Essays should focus on argumentation supported with facts and references, although data-based support is also welcome.

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THE HARVARD CRIMSON GLOBAL ESSAY COMPETITION

THE HARVARD CRIMSON AND CRIMSON EDUCATION

Sponsoring Institution:  The Harvard Crimson and Crimson Education

Type: Essay Contest

Eligibility: 13 -18 year olds (from anywhere) enrolled in a secondary institution

Application Deadline:  Mid February

Highlight:  Are you a current high school student who’s passionate about writing and wants to get their work evaluated by The Harvard Crimson? Then try your hand at participating in The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Contest ! This essay contest encourages high school students (13-18) from all around the globe to compete for various opportunities and prizes that could change their writing career forever. Since this essay contest is completely virtual , there are practically zero barriers stopping you from entering this essay contest. You might be wondering what type of prompts you need to write about in The Harvard Crimson’s essay contest. Well, every year, there are two different prompt tracks following either a creative or persuasive theme. There are typically 10 different prompts for the contestants to write about. The prizes for this essay contest are the same for both creative and persuasive tracks. The first, second, and third place winners receive an internship with The Harvard Crimson, a recommendation letter, and Harvard merchandise. In addition they will receive $1000, $750, and $500 in cash and Crimson Mentorship credit. To qualify for The English Learner prize of $100 and Harvard “merch”, you cannot come from an English speaking family, or have social interactions that are primarily in English, or have completed any period of schooling where English is the primary language. Additional awards include the 50 regional awards distributed across 5 global regions which feature a $25 Amazon gift card and a Regional Finalist Certificate. Just and fyi: you are able to submit previously written essays to this essay contest given that they’re under 500 words long and were written by you. There are multiple webinars and exclusive workshops presented by The Harvard Crimson to help you get started…so, perks galore!!! With all that this global essay contest offers… for free…it’s hard to resist applying to Harvard!

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Showcasing Talent: A Guide to Diverse Competitions for High School Students

Showcasing Talent: A Guide to Diverse Competitions for High School Students

Why Choose Academic Competitions?

What Competitions Are Best?

Popular Academic Competitions

Are you a high school student looking to stand out in your college applications? This blog post explores the dynamic world of academic competitions and offers a comprehensive guide to an array of contests across various fields of study.

Aimed at students eager to enrich their high school experience, this post not only explores why academic competitions can bolster college applications but explains why they offer a unique opportunity to challenge yourself socially and academically, showcase your talents, and dive deeper into subjects you love.

We also survey a wide range of competitions — from science, to visual arts, to business and entrepreneurship — giving you the lowdown on what they involve, how to learn more about each one, and just how varied they are. Whether you're a math whiz, a budding scientist, or a literature enthusiast, there's a competition waiting for you.

Why Not Consider a Fun and Challenging Academic Competition...

Are you involved in sports and clubs, but thinking there's something you're ready to step into — something just a little more challenging?

Why not consider taking advantage of diverse academic competitions?

This is a chance, beyond clubs or sports, to boost and spotlight academic growth and achievement. And, you’ll be surprised just how many competitions you can consider, across virtually every kind of academic field — with organizations just waiting for high school students like you to get onboard.

For many high school students, the decision to join a competition is about boosting their chances for admission to a good college. But there are many other good reasons as well.

Let’s see why academic competitions are something to consider seriously if you’re in high school — whether aspiring to a selective university or college, or because you just want a unique academic challenge you won't forget.

Subsequently, we’ll look at a whole list of intriguing, high-quality academic competitions, breaking the competitions down by academic subjects and making it easy for you to discover what's out there and learn more about the competitions that interest you most.

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Why Are Academic Competitions A Good Choice for High School Students?

We all know that extracurriculars are critical to enhancing a college application, but with the most selective universities and colleges inundated with applications every year, academic competitions might surpass conventional club and sports activities when it comes to making your college applications stand out.

Many academic competitions are synonymous with qualities that admissions officers rank high in evaluating college potential, qualities such as academic curiosity and motivation, or the ability to think on one’s feet, public speaking skills, being a team player, or having an intrinsic interest in academics.

But, academic competitions are also a great opportunity — regardless of your college aspirations — to push yourself to attain new skills and knowledge and elevate your social network too — at a crucial time for intellectual, emotional, and social growth.

Some educators worry that fostering competition sends the wrong message to students, discouraging collaboration or negatively impacting the "losers." Yet we can see that competitive events, from world soccer to the Olympics, and even the Paralympic games, are ways to build unity, collective pride, and camaraderie.

In fact, many educators, psychologists, and behaviorists today are researching competition and discovering more and more ways all learners can benefit from well-designed competitive learning experiences. Here are just a few of the ways researchers at the Institute of Competition Sciences say academic competitions, done right, can benefit young people:

  • Improving Teamwork and Collaboration: When teams strive, with a common goal, to overcome a challenge, all the team members can discover a new level of motivation and become better collaborators
  • Accelerate Social Learning: Competitions can help students understand what it's like to achieve within constraints of very objective rules and processes or how, in team settings, to navigate conflicting opinions and ideas
  • Spotlight Academic Pride: Too often high school "heroes" are those on the gymnastics or football team. Academic competitions and academic "heroes" can encourage other students to pursue and take pride in their own academic commitments, passions, and aspirations.
  • Enhance Self-Esteem and Resilience: By participating in academic competitions, students learn how to lose, learning that losing doesn't devalue the courage and effort it takes to participate, and doesn't diminish one's own individual academic and personal growth. Thus, competitions can help students develop healthy perspectives on basic life experiences, such as the ups and downs we all experience on any road to success and fulfillment!

And, yes, in addition to all these upsides, when it comes to enriching your high school resume — with an eye to college — academic competitions can also be an exceptional way to spotlight your intellectual prowess, your willingness to grow academically, and your readiness to be a productive team player.

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What Kinds of Academic Competitions Are Best?

You may be the best judge for deciding what kind of academic competitions are best for your aptitudes, interests, and goals. In fact, academic competitions cover a full spectrum, with something for virtually all interests and aptitudes:

  • Creative writing
  • Essay writing and journalism
  • Art, photography, and design
  • STEM fields, including math, robotics, general science, and more
  • Business and entrepreneurship
  • Public affairs and activism

Checking in with trusted siblings, parents, high school guidance counselors, or other trusted advisors is also a good way to get some fresh and outside perspectives on your choices.

In terms of your college application planning itself, you may want to target competitions aligned with your areas of academic interest and anticipated college major.

Finally, you might want to think holistically about the kind of academic and extracurricular resume you want to develop.

What kinds of academic competitions will complement that effort in your circumstances?

Not sure?... There ae some important considerations for choosing extracurriculars .

As you consider your options, decide if input from a skilled admissions counselor might be an effective way to get the insights you're looking for.

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Examples of Popular Academic Competitions for High School Students

So, just how many kinds of academic competitions are out there? Well, more than we can list here, but let’s take a look at some great options to consider.

We’ll break them down by academic field as best we can to make it easier to find what you're looking for. (Be sure to read to the end to see the interdisciplinary & multidisciplinary category too!)

And, with a little research of your own, you should find local and regional competitions in your region or home state or country that may be a good fit.

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1. Writing Competitions

Writing competitions tend to be less team oriented, putting individual authors in competition with other individual authors. And, while some essay competitions involve specific areas of academic knowledge, others spotlight different kinds of writing formats and skills:

  • essay formats or research proposals
  • news writing skills
  • creative writing skills, such as poetry or short story

Writing competitions can be a direct avenue to getting published, or help you jump start or elevate your portfolio — the kind that is frequently required for applicants interested in selective journalism or creative writing programs.

Essay Writing

Essay writing competitions are the first category we’ll explore — they provide a great way to test, develop, and exhibit your research prowess and written communication skills.

Beyond your writing acumen, some competitions may emphasize academic content and/or critical thinking skills in relation to fields such as history, political science, or other liberal arts or social science disciplines.

Here are two outstanding examples:

  • The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition boasts low barriers to entry, reaches participants from around the world, and is designed to accelerate learning as well as reward achievement.
  • A second top flier in this category is the John Locke Global Essay Contest which uses stimulating prompts from a range of social science disciplines, such as politics, law, psychology, and more to inspire research, critical thinking, and great written communication.

In addition to  The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition and the  John Locke Global Essay Contest , you may want to consider some additional writing competitions like these:

  • Jane Austen Society Essay Contest
  • John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Competition
  • EngineerGirl Writing Contest
  • Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

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Creative Writing

Participating in a creative writing contest may seem less academic, but keep in mind that creative writing projects can be immensely challenging. Typically, admissions panels at top schools will also recognize that creative writing requires not just imagination, but passion, vision, and mental discipline — qualities that can lead to inspiration and excellence in any college field, not just creative writing.

Also, if you plan to apply to colleges with selective creative writing programs, getting involved in a competition can be a direct way to deepen and demonstrate your motivation and commitment, as well as your talents, while building up your portfolio.

The NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship offers multiple prizes with separate categories for fiction and poetry, making it an excellent example of opportunities for students interested in creative writing competitions.

With a little research you can find many additional opportunities, such as:

  • Princeton University’s Ten-Minute Play Contest
  • Princeton University’s Leonard L. Milberg ‘53 High School Poetry Prize
  • Rachel Carson Intergenerational Essay & Poetry Contest
  • Pulitzer Center’s Fighting Words: Poetry in Response to Current Events workshop and competition
  • YpungArts (multi-genre) National Writing Competition
  • Kennedy Center VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition
  • The Blank Theater Young Playwrights Festival

Journalism competitions can engage a more varied range of writing styles than you imagine. These can include:

  • factual reporting of contemporary news events
  • public affairs commentary
  • feature stories
  • sports and entertainment reporting
  • editorial writing

For students passionate about current affairs and interested in exploring diverse perspectives in public discourse, journalism competitions can be a stimulating way to apply those interests in earnest.

Some of these opportunities involve submitting your piece of writing to judges, but others may offer additional resources to advance your journalism skills and knowledge.

One intriguing example is the Harvard Crimson Journalism Competition sponsored by Harvard University’s newspaper The Crimson , one of the nation’s oldest collegiate newspapers. By participating in the competition you can receive access to the paper's alumni network for support, and winners may be invited to take a summer intern role with The Crimson !

In addition to the Harvard Crimson Journalism Competition , other similar opportunities include:

  • Journalism Essay Contest sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Journalism Education Association (JEA)
  • Pulitzer Center’s Local Letters for Global Change Writing Contest
  • Student Journalism Challenge — audio, video, and print mediums (PBS NewsHour and Student Reporting Labs)
  • Yale International Journalism Competition
  • Youth Journalism International (YJI) Journalism Competition
  • C-Span StudentCam Documentary Competition

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2. STEM/Science Competitions

The opportunities listed below span everything from biology, to chemistry, physics, computer science, robotics, and more.

Some are designed for teams, others may allow you to go solo or compete as part of a group. Some competitions involve building something, while others award prizes for an innovation idea or research proposal.

Depending on the competition, participating in a STEM field contest can also be your chance to experience a real lab, in a research facility or university setting. Vanessa Quinn, Professor of Biology at Purdue Northwest says this is one of the great unexpected benefits for many high school students in the university's Science Olympiad:

The competitors get to see that when you go to college you can continue doing these great events or lab projects because we have the facilities they compete in. They also see that college professors are not scary — they are really available and excited to have them here.

As you consider your options, keep in mind that some competitions are national, others international. Many, not all, also involve lots of educational learning support, such as workshops or mentoring.

One excellent example of an academic competition that includes STEM interests and is international in scope is the High School Academic Research Competition . Participants benefit from immersive academic workshops, get valuable experience writing a formal research proposal, and can choose from a range of STEM and non-STEM topics.

If you’re interested in a STEM field, why not consider stretching yourself by participating in an academic competition alone, with a team, or with some fellow members of a STEM club at your school?

In addition to the High School Academic Research Competition , here are some other competitions across various STEM disciplines:

  • The US National Chemistry Olympiad
  • International Physics Olympiad
  • The USA Computing Olympiad
  • Regeneron Science Talent Search Competition (12th Graders only)
  • Microsoft Imagine Cup
  • MIT THINK Competition for STEM research projects
  • Biotechnology Institute’s BioGENEius Challenge
  • The International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition iGEM (a team-based synthetic biology competition)
  • Envirothon conservation innovation competition
  • International Zero Robotics High School Tournament
  • International World Robot Olympiad (WRO)
  • NASA eClips Spotlite Design Challenge
  • ExploraVision Science Competition , sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association
  • Center for Science Teaching and Learning’s International CleanTech Competition

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3. Business and Entrepreneurship Competitions

Business and Entrepreneurship competitions are fun, educational, and creative. The hands-on business experiences are a great way to build your college profile, get a feel for real-world business challenges, and test your own professional aptitudes well before you actually apply to college and declare a major!

These competitions come in a range of formats, scenarios, and case study designs, frequently emphasizing skills such as:

  • developing business plans or proposals
  • designing socially responsible business ventures
  • investing and risk management
  • applying problem solving skills to real-life business challenges

One intriguing business and entrepreneurship competition that’s open to international high school students is The Case Competition . Using a case study or business scenario format, The Case Competition encourages participants to enter as small teams, and puts participants in the roles of CEOs or business consultants tasked with presenting effective solutions for real-world business challenges.

With its international scope, team dynamics, and real-world, hands-on model, The Case Competition stands out as offering a rigorous learning experience along with some fun competition.

In addition to The Case Competition , here’s some similar opportunities to consider for business and entrepreneurship:

  • Innovate WithIN Pitch Competition (STARTed.UP Foundation)
  • International Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
  • Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
  • Yale DHSRI High School Investment Competition
  • The Conrad Challenge is an international, STEM-oriented, and innovation-focused entrepreneurship competition
  • Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

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4. Math Competitions

Math competitions are a great way to demonstrate an intrinsic passion for mathematics while also stretching yourself beyond the math learning you do in your prescribed sequence of math courses in high school.

In math competitions you’ll also engage in challenges sure to stand out on college applications, including mastering abstract theoretical concepts and terminology or using analysis and problem-solving prowess to tackle real-world problems involving complex variables, conditions, and factors.

A test format is common to the majority of math competitions for high school students.

One prominent example is the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) . This competition will only allow a few top competitors from different countries. To qualify, students around the world participate in more accessible local or regional math competitions every year , which are valuable in their own right.

In the US, for example, math competitions at state levels and nationally are sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) .

Participants compete by preparing for and taking the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) test .

Students in 10th grade and below take the AMC 10 , and students in 11th or 12th grade take the AMC 12 .

Most universities allow international students to apply through their early action and early decision process

Both tests cover a wide range of high school math topics, including advanced geometry, advanced algebra, and trigonometry .

MAA-AMC global partnerships also make the competition accessible to some international participants.

The AMC provides a fun and competitive way to develop a positive, learning mindset toward analytical thinking and mathematics, and provides a stepping stone to qualifying for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME).

From there, participants with top scores can win an invitation to compete in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad ( USAMO ) and United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad ( USAJMO ).

Here are some other competitions with a math focus you may be interested in:

  • Harvard/MIT Mathematics Tournament
  • Caribou International (online) Mathematics Contests
  • American Regions Math League (team-based, in-person)

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5. Art Competitions

Art competitions are a great way to mix your creative passions and individual artistic vision with some interactive networking and socializing.

Running the gamut from painting and drawing, to sculpture, digital design, and photography, art competitions are a great way to showcase your artistic talents, build your art portfolio, and connect with wider audiences.

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“Michigan Summers” by a student at Clinton High School was the winning entry in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition, in Michigan’s 5th Congressional District. (Source: Daily Telegram, USA Today Network, July 23, 2023)

Participating in a high school art competition is also a great way to demonstrate your commitment to a creative major ahead of applying to a top art and design program.

A great visual arts competition for high school students from around the world is the Sony World Photography Awards competition. The competition is touted as emphasizing inclusion, being free to enter, and for providing a platform for diverse artists who use photography to reveal insights into contemporary life.

Here is a list of other prominent art competitions high school students can consider:

  • The YoungArts National Arts Competition (features a wide variety of artistic fields)
  • USA Congressional Arts Competition
  • Artists to Watch Art Competition (variety of visual arts media)
  • The Lumen Prize International Art and Technology Awards
  • Doodle for Google
  • Embracing Our Differences (International) Art Exhibitions

"Serenity" by Isabella Dennison, an 11th-grader at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery, earned third place in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

“Serenity” by a high school student in Alabama earned third place for Alabama’s 7th Congressional District in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. (Source: Tuscaloosa News, May 30 2023)

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6. Liberal Arts, Multidisciplinary, and Interdisciplinary Competitions

From foreign languages, to debate teams, to mock trials, there are myriad competitions that encompass a variety of liberal arts disciplines or are interdisciplinary.

A great example is the High School Academic Research Competition (SARC), which attracts talented students from around the world. Small teams compete by submitting a high-quality research proposal.

What’s exciting about this competition is that teams who enter can create proposals on any topic, so your team can come together around the topic of interest they want to explore, deepen, and spotlight. Along the way, critical thinking, research skills, and an ability to communicate in a lively but rigorous style are all part of the mix.

Another fun example is Questions Unlimited National Academic Championship which is kind of like the popular Jeopardy game show — meaning you test your knowledge across a range of different academic areas!

Here’s a list of more top academic competitions for high school students in the interdisciplinary and liberal arts categories broadly speaking:

  • Academic Decathlon
  • Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (diverse genres and topics)
  • The Davidson Fellows Scholarship (STEM, literature, music, philosophy, and more)
  • National High School Mock Trial Championship
  • Genius Olympiad
  • Questions Unlimited National Academic Championship
  • American Association of Teachers of French National French Contest
  • World Schools Debating Championships

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Final Thoughts

As you can see, high school students have lots of academic competitions to choose from. Some involve teams, some don’t. Some are online, others in person. Many prominent ones we’ve listed are international or in the US. Therefore, we also encourage students around the world to look for local or national competitions in their home countries, which may not be listed above.

Finally, let’s be real about what might hold you back… Signing up for a competition can feel like you’re putting yourself out there — making it a bit more daunting than joining a club or choir… But remember, educators today are more aware than ever of the ways academic competitions deliver positive experiences, not just for “winners” but for all participants.

That’s right, participatin g is where you get most of the benefits, so don’t get too focused on winning or competing as such. And, remember, some of these opportunities include free educational activities and invitations that take you beyond your day-to-day classroom learning experiences.

So don’t let your doubts stop you. Consider participating in areas that align with your academic interests and career aspirations, and contact the proper organizations for more information about the competitions and learning opportunities they offer!

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Do you want to know more about academic competitions or how to navigate other decisions about extracurriculars?

Do you want to learn the best way to build a plan for a more rewarding college journey?

Maybe it’s time to accept the challenge…

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harvard essay competition high school

Join the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition now!

martyna p January 13, 2023 Other

Are you an ambitious student looking for a new challenge? Then the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC 2023) is the perfect opportunity for you. It’s the most powerful global essay writing competition available to high school students from around the world aged 13-18.

Why join HCGEC 2023?

  • Win a Harvard Crimson internship and a letter of recommendation
  • Have your essay published on the official HCGEC website, endorsed by The Harvard Crimson
  • Access exclusive career-driven webinars from top industry experts
  • Compete for prizes of up to US$5,000 in cash and US$5,000 in Crimson mentorship credit

Harvard Crimson – the U.S.’s oldest continuously published daily college newspaper – is pleased to invite you to the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC) 2023!

harvard essay competition high school

Registration is open to all students aged 13-18. Competitors will have to write a 500-word essay after choosing a prompt from the creative, argumentative, or journalistic category. 

Sounds easy? Sign-up here and use the promo code ECLESSAY127 for a USD $5 discount! 

Sign-ups close on Jan 29, and prompts will be released on Feb 10. Submissions are due on Feb 20. 

Registered participants get:

  • ✍️ Exclusive workshops by The Harvard Crimson to level-up your writing skills.
  • 🏅 The opportunity to be recognized as a regional finalist or global winner.  
  • 💼 The chance to win exclusive internships with The Harvard Crimson!

harvard essay competition high school

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Harvard Pre-Collegiate

Economics challenge (hpec).

HPEC challenges students through a series of individual and team rounds on economics knowledge at the Advanced Placement Microeconomics and Macroeconomics levels.

The date for HPEC 2024 has been finalized. Please see below for details. 

Each year, HUEA organizes the Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge (HPEC), a prestigious international competition for high school students passionate a bout economics and its role in the world around us. HPEC challenges students through a series of individual a nd team rounds on economics knowledge at the Advanced Placement Microeconomics and Macroeconomics levels as well as economic news, history, recent research, and applications in a wide variety of fields such as education and the environment. 

In the past, students have found this competition to be fun and helpful preparation for the AP Economics exams. In addition to the Challenge itself, comp etitors and coaches will have the opportunity to build friendships with their peers, hear presentations from and interact with professors, graduate students, and real-world economists, and learn about the wider world of economics beyond the hig h s chool classroom. 

HPEC 2024  is scheduled for April 13, 2024. Teams can choose to compete either virtually from anywhere around the world or in-person on Harvard's campus. See the coaches' manual linked below for details on the c ompetition from last year. A manual with any updates for this year's competition will be uploaded soon, but aside from a few (if any) minor tweaks, the rules and coaches manual will remain the same. Teams will be able register for the competition soon (details and a registration form will be posted below soon) . However, note that the Challenge is subject to space constraints, so space may fill up prior to the above deadline. Thus, it is best for teams to register well in advance to ensure they can reserve space for their team.

Images from  HPEC 2023

Registration Fe e

Each team requires a registration fee of $125. See the registration form for specific payment details and options. Teams based in the US m ust pay via Zelle. There is no option to pay via PayPal due to issues with our PayPal account. Thus, US-based  teams  should  make a rrangements before the  registration deadline (which will be updated here soon) to pay via Zelle. International teams should email HUEA to discuss additional payment options, though Zelle is preferred if at all possible.

All payments are final, as we start making preparations given current understanding of competition attendance; withdrawal for any reason will not be refunded.

Competition Informatio n ​

The HPEC 2023 Coaches Manual  can be fo und here .

The hpec 2024 coaches manual will be uploaded here soon. , compet ition registration ​, the official hpec 2024 r egistration form will be uploaded here soon . once updated, please review the form early as  there  is a lot of information here, includ in g payment d etails..

Imp ortant Forms

The 2024 Photo Consent F orm will be uploaded here.

The 2024 Liability Release  and Contact Form will be uploaded here.

How many people can be on one team?

Teams consist of 1-4 people. Teams of 3 or fewer can still compete, but the quiz bowl rounds will likely be more challenging with fewer team members.​

How many teams can one school bring?

Depending on space availability and with priority registration given to the first team, each school may be able to bring 2-3 teams total. For now, schools can register 1 or 2 teams, and indicate interest in sending a 3rd.

What if my school is unable to bring a teacher as a coach?

We require that a coach be present​ with the team. You are allowed to bring a parent as a coach if your teacher is not able to attend the competition--please reach out to us by email.

What COVID-19 restrictions will HPEC participants be subject to?

At this time, HPEC will not require participants to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test before arrival. However, participants must not come to campus if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have otherwise been instructed to quarantine or isolate. 

Practice Questions & Answers ​

PDFs: 

2011 MC Questions

2011 MC Answers

2012 MC Questions

2012 MC Answers

2013 MC Questions

2013 MC Answers

2014 MC Questions

2014 MC Answers

2015 MC Questions

2015 MC Answers

2016 MC Questions

2016 MC Answers

2019 MC Questions

2019 MC Answers

Quiz Bowl (Questions from 2012)

Quiz Bowl (Sample Questions - General)

harvard essay competition high school

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  • Panhellenic Philosophical Essay Competition and CHS Greece

CHS Greece supports the annual Panhellenic Philosophical Essay Competition for high school students , since its establishment in 2012. This very successful national competition is organized by the Department of Philosophy, University of Patras, under the aegis of the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, and with the support of CHS Greece and the Panhellenic Association of Philologists.

Following the first phase of the competition that takes place in various places around Greece, its final round is organized at the University of Patras. Out of hundreds of participating senior high school students, the best ones–approximately 20 students­–qualify in this final round. The top two students represent Greece in the International Philosophy Olympiad that takes place in late spring, at a different state every year. The annual competition progress has proven a success throughout the years, and the Center’s goal is to continue supporting this initiative. CHS Greece is offering, every year, book prizes to the winners.

In 2022, CHS Greece, in continuation of its longstanding collaboration with the University of Patras, decided to offer the winner of the international leg of the competition one position, accompanied by a full scholarship, for the Center's High School Summer Program held in Nafplio every year.

CHS Greece and the Department of Philosophy, University of Patras worked together to establish the ground rules for the annual competition following the successful International Philosophy Olympiad that the Center and the University of Patras organized in Athens, back in 2010.

After 13 years the important competition returned "home" in 2023. CHS Greece, the University of Patras, the Region of Western Greece, and the Society for the Promotion of Education and Learning (SPEL) joined forces to organize the 31st International Philosophy Olympiad in Olympia, Greece. From May 11 to 14, 2023, more than 200 students and professors from 50 countries traveled to Greece to participate in the 2023 International Philosophy Olympiad.

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Discourse, debate, and analysis

Cambridge re:think essay competition 2024.

Competition Opens: 15th January, 2024

Essay Submission Deadline: 10th May, 2024 Result Announcement: 25th June, 2024 Award Ceremony and Dinner at the University of Cambridge: 30th July, 2024

We welcome talented high school students from diverse educational settings worldwide to contribute their unique perspectives to the competition.

Entry to the competition is free.

About the Competition

The spirit of the Re:think essay competition is to encourage critical thinking and exploration of a wide range of thought-provoking and often controversial topics. The competition covers a diverse array of subjects, from historical and present issues to speculative future scenarios. Participants are invited to engage deeply with these topics, critically analysing their various facets and implications. It promotes intellectual exploration and encourages participants to challenge established norms and beliefs, presenting opportunities to envision alternative futures, consider the consequences of new technologies, and reevaluate longstanding traditions. 

Ultimately, our aim is to create a platform for students and scholars to share their perspectives on pressing issues of the past and future, with the hope of broadening our collective understanding and generating innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. This year’s competition aims to underscore the importance of discourse, debate, and critical analysis in addressing complex societal issues in nine areas, including:

Religion and Politics

Political science and law, linguistics, environment, sociology and philosophy, business and investment, public health and sustainability, biotechonology.

Artificial Intelligence 

Neuroengineering

2024 essay prompts.

This year, the essay prompts are contributed by distinguished professors from Harvard, Brown, UC Berkeley, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT.

Essay Guidelines and Judging Criteria

Review general guidelines, format guidelines, eligibility, judging criteria.

Awards and Award Ceremony

Award winners will be invited to attend the Award Ceremony and Dinner hosted at the King’s College, University of Cambridge. The Dinner is free of charge for select award recipients.

Registration and Submission

Register a participant account today and submit your essay before the deadline.

Advisory Committee and Judging Panel

The Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition is guided by an esteemed Advisory Committee comprising distinguished academics and experts from elite universities worldwide. These committee members, drawn from prestigious institutions, such as Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT, bring diverse expertise in various disciplines.

They play a pivotal role in shaping the competition, contributing their insights to curate the themes and framework. Their collective knowledge and scholarly guidance ensure the competition’s relevance, academic rigour, and intellectual depth, setting the stage for aspiring minds to engage with thought-provoking topics and ideas.

We are honoured to invite the following distinguished professors to contribute to this year’s competition.

The judging panel of the competition comprises leading researchers and professors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, and Oxford, engaging in a strictly double blind review process.

Essay Competition Professors

Why has religion remained a force in a secular world? 

Professor Commentary:

Arguably, the developed world has become more secular in the last century or so. The influence of Christianity, e.g. has diminished and people’s life worlds are less shaped by faith and allegiance to Churches. Conversely, arguments have persisted that hold that we live in a post-secular world. After all, religion – be it in terms of faith, transcendence, or meaning – may be seen as an alternative to a disenchanted world ruled by entirely profane criteria such as economic rationality, progressivism, or science. Is the revival of religion a pale reminder of a by-gone past or does it provide sources of hope for the future?

‘Religion in the Public Sphere’ by Jürgen Habermas (European Journal of Philosophy, 2006)

In this paper, philosopher Jürgen Habermas discusses the limits of church-state separation, emphasizing the significant contribution of religion to public discourse when translated into publicly accessible reasons.

‘Public Religions in the Modern World’ by José Casanova (University Of Chicago Press, 1994)

Sociologist José Casanova explores the global emergence of public religion, analyzing case studies from Catholicism and Protestantism in Spain, Poland, Brazil, and the USA, challenging traditional theories of secularization.

‘The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere’ by Judith Butler, Jürgen Habermas, Charles Taylor, and Cornel West (Edited by Eduardo Mendieta and Jonathan VanAntwerpen, Columbia University Press, 2011)

This collection features dialogues by prominent intellectuals on the role of religion in the public sphere, examining various approaches and their impacts on cultural, social, and political debates.

‘Rethinking Secularism’ by Craig Calhoun, Mark Juergensmeyer, and Jonathan VanAntwerpen (Oxford University Press, 2011)

An interdisciplinary examination of secularism, this book challenges traditional views, highlighting the complex relationship between religion and secularism in contemporary global politics.

‘God is Back: How the Global Rise of Faith is Changing the World’ by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge (Penguin, 2010)

Micklethwait and Wooldridge argue for the coexistence of religion and modernity, suggesting that religious beliefs can contribute to a more open, tolerant, and peaceful modern world.

‘Multiculturalism’ by Tariq Modood (Polity Press, 2013)

Sociologist Tariq Modood emphasizes the importance of multiculturalism in integrating diverse identities, particularly in post-immigration contexts, and its role in shaping democratic citizenship.

‘God’s Agents: Biblical Publicity in Contemporary England’ by Matthew Engelke (University of California Press, 2013)

In this ethnographic study, Matthew Engelke explores how a group in England seeks to expand the role of religion in the public sphere, challenging perceptions of religion in post-secular England.

Ccir Essay Competition Prompt Contributed By Dr Mashail Malik

Gene therapy is a medical approach that treats or prevents disease by correcting the underlying genetic problem. Is gene therapy better than traditional medicines? What are the pros and cons of using gene therapy as a medicine? Is gene therapy justifiable?

Especially after Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, gene therapy is getting more and more interesting approach to cure. That’s why that could be interesting to think about. I believe that students will enjoy and learn a lot while they are investigating this topic.

Ccir Essay Competition Prompt Contributed By Dr Mamiko Yajima

The Hall at King’s College, Cambridge

The Hall was designed by William Wilkins in the 1820s and is considered one of the most magnificent halls of its era. The first High Table dinner in the Hall was held in February 1828, and ever since then, the splendid Hall has been where members of the college eat and where formal dinners have been held for centuries.

The Award Ceremony and Dinner will be held in the Hall in the evening of  30th July, 2024.

2

Stretching out down to the River Cam, the Back Lawn has one of the most iconic backdrop of King’s College Chapel. 

The early evening reception will be hosted on the Back Lawn with the iconic Chapel in the background (weather permitting). 

3

King’s College Chapel

With construction started in 1446 by Henry VI and took over a century to build, King’s College Chapel is one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and is a splendid example of late Gothic architecture. 

Attendees are also granted complimentary access to the King’s College Chapel before and during the event. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I participate in the Re:think essay competition? 

The Re:think Essay competition is meant to serve as fertile ground for honing writing skills, fostering critical thinking, and refining communication abilities. Winning or participating in reputable contests can lead to recognition, awards, scholarships, or even publication opportunities, elevating your academic profile for college applications and future endeavours. Moreover, these competitions facilitate intellectual growth by encouraging exploration of diverse topics, while also providing networking opportunities and exposure to peers, educators, and professionals. Beyond accolades, they instil confidence, prepare for higher education demands, and often allow you to contribute meaningfully to societal conversations or causes, making an impact with your ideas.

Who is eligible to enter the Re:think essay competition?  

As long as you’re currently attending high school, regardless of your location or background, you’re eligible to participate. We welcome students from diverse educational settings worldwide to contribute their unique perspectives to the competition.

Is there any entry fee for the competition? 

There is no entry fee for the competition. Waiving the entry fee for our essay competition demonstrates CCIR’s dedication to equity. CCIR believes everyone should have an equal chance to participate and showcase their talents, regardless of financial circumstances. Removing this barrier ensures a diverse pool of participants and emphasises merit and creativity over economic capacity, fostering a fair and inclusive environment for all contributors.

Subscribe for Competition Updates

If you are interested to receive latest information and updates of this year’s competition, please sign up here.

NBC Washington D.C.

How a Maryland teen's Harvard dream came true after affirmative action was struck down

“Dear Abigail, Congratulations. I am delighted to inform you that the committee on admissions has admitted you to the Harvard Class of 2028.”

Abigail Taylor grinned as she read her Harvard University acceptance letter out loud. The senior at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, was laser-focused on getting into Harvard and was admitted through the school’s early action program.

The 18-year-old is part of the nation’s first high school class to apply to college since the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in the college admissions process .

“I’m ready. I’m so excited to enroll and continue on this journey,” Taylor said.

At the time of the high court’s ruling, Taylor was overseas in a study abroad program in Macedonia. She sought guidance from Shamelle Yemofio. She’s the director of counseling at Bishop McNamara and attended UNC.

Yemofio advised Taylor to share her racial experiences in her Harvard essay.

“When the ruling first was announced, I wanted to make sure that Abby and other students did indeed include their race, because it is their lived experience,” she said. “Race and culture should be celebrated and not silenced, and so that's what I wanted my students to take away from that experience, because it is a part of who she is.”

In her essay, Taylor wrote about her study abroad experience.

“Being a Black woman in Eastern Europe is not a common thing, so, a lot of experiences I had there definitely pointed me toward just a passion for mutual understanding and being able to show something from my community and my culture and learning something back from other communities and cultures,” she said.

Taylor said her maternal grandparents met at Harvard Medical School but she did not use legacy on her application.

‘We worried about our students’

After the Supreme Court ruled that Harvard and the University of North Carolina’s race-conscious admissions policies were unconstitutional, the impact on those campuses will be immediate, Brookings Institution fellow Sara Reber said.

“I think it is pretty clear that racial diversity will decline in the colleges that were part of the litigation. So, that's Harvard and UNC,” she said.

“I definitely don't want to downplay the importance of the decision because there's going to be, I think, some negative consequences of that. But most students go to colleges that weren't considering race in admissions in the first place, so won't really be changing their processes,” Reber added.

Weeks after the court’s ruling, the American Civil Liberties Union reiterated its findings on the benefits of diverse campuses.

“Schools will need to rely more on other means of cultivating a campus where students of all backgrounds can learn together,” the group said.

Yemofio, the school counselor, said the ruling raised concerns.

“I saw a panic among my colleagues – my adult colleagues in the education field – because we reflected on our experience of affirmative action and we were worried about our students,” she said.

She said the ruling only affects about 10% of U.S. colleges and for most students, nothing will change.

Taylor said she has her sights set on her future.

“I hope that after I gain my education, I'll be able to continue a career in foreign policy and diplomacy, perhaps joining the State Department or potentially the United Nations – bringing communities together,” she said.

How a Maryland teen's Harvard dream came true after affirmative action was struck down

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

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Fourth circuit 2024 essay contest now open to students in grades 6-12.

harvard essay competition high school

Seventy years ago, the Supreme Court held in Brown v. Board of Education , 347 U.S. 483 (1954), that racial segregation in public schools violates the United States Constitution. The Court recognized that public education is "the very foundation of good citizenship," and Brown's impact on education and society has been the subject of much discussion and debate in our nation's history.

Has the decision in Brown , viewed through the lens of 2024, achieved its purpose of ensuring equal opportunity in public education?

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 2024 essay contest is now open to all students currently in grades 6 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Students are invited to consider and share their thoughts on the question: "Has the decision in Brown , viewed through the lens of 2024, achieved its purpose of ensuring equal opportunity in public education?"

Grades 9-12: Essays are limited to 500-1,000 words , and students have the opportunity to win one of three cash prizes:  first place, $2,000; second place, $1,500;  and  third place, $1,000.

Grades 6–8: Essays are limited to 250-500 words , and students have the opportunity to win one of three cash prizes: first place, $500; second place, $350;  and  third place, $200. Deadline: Entry form and essay must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 31, 2024 . Winners will be announced in August, and the winning essays will be presented at the Fourth Circuit's Constitution Day Program in September 2024.

For additional information, questions to consider, and instructions on how to submit your essay, visit www.ca4.uscourts.gov/essay-contest .

For questions, contact the Fourth Circuit Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or (804) 916-2715.

Please note: Prior award winners as well as children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and members of the household of a federal judge or federal judiciary employee are excluded from the competition.

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DealBook Newsletter

The Chips Riding on Nvidia

Wall Street is closely watching the semiconductor giant’s earnings report, as questions swirl over its massive stock market valuation on the back of the boom in artificial intelligence.

By Andrew Ross Sorkin ,  Ravi Mattu ,  Bernhard Warner ,  Sarah Kessler ,  Michael J. de la Merced ,  Lauren Hirsch and Ephrat Livni

Jensen Huang, the C.E.O. of Nvidia, speaks at the 2023 DealBook Summit.

Investors brace for “fireworks”

The stock price of the chip giant Nvidia has marched steadily higher over the past year and a half, propelled by investors’ hopes that artificial intelligence is truly transformative technology — and by their hope that the company’s high-end semiconductors will continue to power that technology.

But in recent days, the company became the third most valuable listed company in the U.S., only to slump back to fifth. Its shares will face another big test on Wednesday, when Nvidia announces its latest quarterly earnings, with billions in investor capital on the line.

Brace for a huge move. After seeing the stock more than double since May on the back of huge demand for Nvidia’s chips, investors are wondering if it’s close to peaking. Opinion on Wall Street appears divided: Bloomberg reports that options traders have piled into both put options, whose value rises as a stock’s price falls, and call options. That means that Nvidia’s market capitalization could swing by some $180 billion on Wednesday.

Those bets “suggest that the post-results move is priced to be 10.5 percent in either direction, so stand by for potential fireworks across markets in either direction,” Jim Reid, a strategist at Deutsche Bank, wrote to investors on Wednesday.

That’s after Tuesday’s drop in Nvidia shares wiped out $78 billion in market value. It’s worth remembering that Nvidia has become one of the biggest components of the S&P 500, making it one of the most widely held stocks around. That dip helped pull the index into the red on Tuesday, showing Nvidia’s market-moving power.

What to watch for: Analysts have forecast that Nvidia’s fourth-quarter sales more than tripled year-on-year, and that net earnings for the year grew roughly sevenfold, on the strength of the company’s booming data center business and robust demand for its chips.

Investors will also pay attention to the year ahead outlook, given how Nvidia has been caught up in Washington-Beijing trade tensions . China had been one of the company’s fastest-growing markets, but it’s now banned from selling its highest-end chips there. Chinese rivals are seen as rapidly bridging the gap between their wares and Nvidia’s; so, too, are in-house A.I. chips being built by Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft.

The market is also focused on the minutes from the Fed’s most recent meeting: Traders have pared back their bets on rate cuts after last week’s hotter-than-expected inflation data, and Wednesday’s release could offer new insight into when the central bank might start lowering borrowing costs.

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING

President Biden’s campaign out-raises Donald Trump’s. Biden’s re-election effort had $56 million in its coffers at the end of January, compared with about $30 million for the Trump campaign. That reflects both Democratic donors appearing to unify behind the president and Trump’s growing legal costs . Separately, Attorney General Letitia James of New York said that she would consider seizing Trump’s assets if he’s unable to pay a $354 million judgment in the civil fraud case she pursued against him.

The F.T.C. and states reportedly plan to sue to block Kroger’s takeover of Albertsons. The agency and state attorneys general are preparing to challenge the $24.6 billion supermarket deal as soon as next week, according to Bloomberg. Their expected lawsuit is said to argue that a deal would lower employee wages and increase costs for consumers.

HSBC’s profits plunge after a $3 billion charge in China. Fourth-quarter profits at Europe’s biggest bank fell 80 percent after taking a write-down on its stake in the Bank of Communications and a $2 billion hit on the sale of its French retail operations. HSBC’s shares are down on Wednesday on worries that the slowdown in China, one of HSBC’s biggest markets, could hurt its business.

Harvard tries to contain another antisemitism controversy. The university’s interim president, Alan Garber, condemned a social media post circulated by two student organizations and a faculty organization featuring what he called “vile and hateful antisemitic tropes.” The groups later disavowed the cartoon, but the episode is the latest controversy at Harvard after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

Foes come out strong against Capital One’s big deal

Capital One’s $35.3 billion deal to buy Discover Financial was always going to be a tricky one to get past financial regulators , since it would lead to the creation of a new credit card giant.

Public opposition to the transaction is already proving strong, as consumer advocates worry about combining two major lenders.

The companies’ C.E.O.s acknowledged that regulators could be skeptical. On an analyst call on Tuesday, Richard Fairbank, Capital One’s chief, alluded to becoming a stronger competitor to both larger banks and Visa and Mastercard, the nation’s biggest payment network operators:

“The enhanced scale and reach of our combined franchise will position us to compete more effectively against some of the largest banks and payment companies in the United States.”

“There are only two vertically integrated U.S.-based payments networks, American Express and Discover, and they compete with Visa and Mastercard, who are, of course, much larger.”

Worth noting: A combined Capital One and Discover would surpass JPMorgan Chase as the nation’s biggest credit card issuer, according to one estimate, and the lender is expected to move some of those cards to Discover’s payment network.

Otherwise, Fairbank had little to say about potential snags. He told analysts: “We believe that we are well positioned for approval, but of course, we can’t discuss our conversations with our regulators. We, of course, kept them informed along the way in the process.”

Critics of the deal didn’t seem assuaged by Capital One’s arguments , pointing to data points like a recent report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that showed larger issuers (like Capital One) charging borrowers more than smaller rivals.

“This Wall street deal is dangerous and will harm working people,” Senator Elizabeth Warren , Democrat of Massachusetts, posted on the social network X on Tuesday. “Regulators must block it immediately.”

“Capital One has a pattern of making deals that benefit the bank, but not customers and communities,” Jesse Van Tol , the C.E.O. of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, said in a statement.

The Justice Department hasn’t said anything publicly, and won’t be the primary regulator looking at the Capital One deal (but will get to weigh in). Still, bank watchers have pointed DealBook to a speech last year by Jonathan Kanter , the department’s antitrust chief, calling bank competition “essential” and arguing that reviewing such deals requires acknowledging “modern market realities.”

D.E.I. in the headlights

The fate of corporate diversity efforts had already looked cloudy after the Supreme Court last year rejected affirmative action as a factor in U.S. college admissions. Now, a rare action by an appeals court to rehear a challenge to Nasdaq’s move to increase board diversity raises new questions about whether the exchange’s initiative can survive.

Nasdaq wants more board diversity data than the law requires. In 2020, the exchange asked the S.E.C. to approve a rule that would require thousands of companies listed on its exchange to disclose information about their boards’ makeup , or face delisting. The S.E.C. later approved it.

Two groups challenged the rule in court, losing before a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in October. Among the plaintiffs was a group founded by Edward Blum, a conservative activist also behind another organization that brought the lawsuits that led to the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling.

But the Fifth Circuit on Monday agreed to reconsider the challenge en banc, with all of its judges set to review the matter after a hearing scheduled for May. The court has a reputation for being more willing to entertain, and approve, unusual legal theories .

Nasdaq declined to comment, while an S.E.C. spokeswoman said the agency would continue to defend its actions. Blum didn’t respond to a request for comment.

It’s getting harder for companies to understand the shifting landscape. Republican state attorneys general have threatened companies that adopt diversity initiatives, and businesses have struggled to figure out the legality of their programs.

That wariness is being reflected in sometimes unexpected ways: At a webinar on Tuesday hosted by the Aspen Institute Business and Society Program about the future of such initiatives, speakers insisted on not being named or quoted.

Putting a number on strikes’ impact

The Labor Department on Wednesday will release its first measure of the “year of the strike” on American business, including disruptive work stoppages by large unions like SAG-AFTRA and the U.A.W.

But labor experts say that it will almost certainly undercount the effect, because the data won’t reflect the emerging trend of organizing smaller workplaces.

Smaller walkouts are a big deal, too. The Labor Action Tracker by researchers at Cornell and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign show that there were 470 stoppages and lockouts last year, amounting to nearly 25 million strike days. The hotel and food industry accounted for the largest share of stoppages that the research tracks, but the smallest share of workers who walked out.

But Wednesday’s Labor Department data will most likely underestimate that impact, because it won’t include stoppages involving fewer than 1,000 workers. That disparity has shown up before: The Labor Department counted 23 strikes in 2022, while Labor Action tallied 433.

Unions see a need to get a foothold in smaller workplaces, including at units of larger companies like Starbucks. “Due to the growth in employment in smaller establishments, for unions to be successful in representing workers, they need to be able to organize these smaller workplaces,” Alex Colvin, the dean of Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, told DealBook.

Changing tactics are another focus of labor watchers. One-day walkouts are on the rise, Colvin said. And the U.A.W. introduced a wrinkle when it organized stoppages at select plants rather than an across-the-board walkout, a strategy that kept management guessing and helped the union target the Big Three automakers for longer. That helped it win big in negotiations.

Up next: 5,000 Teamster members have threatened to go on strike at Anheuser-Busch .

THE SPEED READ

The billions that Saudi Arabia is spending on infrastructure megaprojects is forcing the kingdom to borrow money and plan another stock sale for Saudi Aramco. (WSJ)

Thoma Bravo is said to be weighing the sale of consumer data company J.D. Power for $8 billion, including debt. (Bloomberg)

“Bill Ackman Rockets Up Best-Paid Hedge Fund List by Doing Very Little” (Bloomberg)

FuboTV, a streaming company, has sued Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery over the media giants’ plan for a new sports-streaming service. (WSJ)

China is circumventing U.S. trade sanctions by shipping more goods into the country via Mexico. (FT)

Best of the rest

The head of the Major League Baseball players union is the latest to weigh in on an issue bugging some players this spring training: baseball uniforms not to their liking . (Bleacher Report)

“How scared is China of Donald Trump’s return?” (The Economist)

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Michael de la Merced joined The Times as a reporter in 2006, covering Wall Street and finance. Among his main coverage areas are mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and the private equity industry. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Lauren Hirsch joined The Times from CNBC in 2020, covering deals and the biggest stories on Wall Street. More about Lauren Hirsch

Ephrat Livni reports from Washington on the intersection of business and policy for DealBook. Previously, she was a senior reporter at Quartz, covering law and politics, and has practiced law in the public and private sectors.   More about Ephrat Livni

Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Travel and Tourism Industry — The History of Moscow City

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The History of Moscow City

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Published: Feb 12, 2019

Words: 614 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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