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Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Location:
Fully online (virtual), open internationally
Cost:
Free to enter
Contest Date:
Held in three seasonal entry rounds per year — Summer (Mar 11–Jun 14), Fall (Jun 28–Sep 20), Winter (Oct 4–Dec 27)
Application Deadlines:
Specific deadlines vary by season — typically: Summer ends June 14, Fall ends September 20, Winter ends December 27
Eligibility:
Open to all high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students worldwide; entrants must be enrolled in school during the contest period
Participants are invited to submit an original 800–1,600 word essay on one of several prompts related to Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged. Essays are judged on clarity, reasoning, organization, and philosophical insight rather than whether the Institute agrees with the views presented. Seasonal winners receive cash prizes, and first-place winners advance to compete for the annual grand prize of up to $25,000
Please note: This information is compiled from publicly available sources and may change from year to year. Dates, locations, fees, and other details are subject to updates—please verify all information directly on the official competition website before applying.
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