What is the harvard crimson GLOBAL ESSAY COMPETITION?
The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC) is a 100% virtual, global writing challenge designed for ambitious high school students. Hosted by The Harvard Crimson, a student organisation at Harvard College, HCGEC helps students refine their writing, gain international recognition, and strengthen their university applications.
This competition encourages students to challenge themselves and explore different writing styles to ultimately strengthen their writing skills.
DEVELOP
writing SKILLS
Hone written communication skills and challenge yourself with university-style guidelines, while in high school.
Add a high-impact achievement to your CV/resume and/or university application.
Have your essays evaluated, and possibly endorsed, by The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition.
Prepare for university-style writing and expand your repertoire.
NO BARRIERS
TO
ENTRY
The entire competition is held online, removing geographical barriers to entry.
Workshops and webinars will guide participants through the competition.
Represent your country and region on the global stage.
Compete and network with highly-motivated and talented students invited from every country around the world.
EXCLUSIVE PRIZES
UP FOR GRABS
Published work on the official HCGEC website.
Free Spot on the Harvard Crimson Summer Journalism course.
Crimson credit with Crimson Education to help reach individual goals.
Generous cash prizes.
HCGEC 2026 Timeline
What makes The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition different from other competitions?
HCGEC is brought to you by The Harvard Crimson and Crimson Education. These two powerhouses provide an experience like no other.
Each participant is invited to attend best-in-class bootcamps, explore careers in writing, and compete for exclusive opportunities and global recognition! Check out the HCGEC 2026 Prizes for more details!
Have you dreamt of careers such as: editor, columnist, reporter, communications specialist, social media manager, or marketing professional? There are so many awesome careers to explore if you enjoy writing.
participant-exclusive bootcamps
HCGEC 2026 provides exclusive and on-demand bootcamps to help participants develop university-level writing competencies and learn about career paths. Learn more here!
