Contests
Launch Your Path
Introduction
Discover
Contests let students express creativity, gain recognition, and build a standout portfolio. Explore top writing and art opportunities with tips and strategies to boost your success.
Explore writing and art contests with current opportunities, tips for entering, and strategies to gain recognition and build your creative portfolio.
Find your Contests
Guide & Learn
Learn how to find the right writing and art contests, meet submission deadlines, and craft strong, original entries. Get tips on storytelling, formatting, and understanding judges’ criteria to improve your chances of winning.
Contests
High school students should understand that when building a strong extracurricular résumé, the quality of creative work matters more than quantity. Selective colleges often value artistic and literary contests that showcase originality, depth, and impact. Admissions officers are especially impressed by students whose work receives recognition in national or well-regarded competitions. The art and writing contests curated by the Project NextGenEd team are all meaningful opportunities that can significantly enhance a student’s application to top-tier universities.