 |
FAQs
When is the National Peace Essay Contest deadline?
The deadline changes every year. The next deadline and other details are on our contest page and in the guidebook.
Who is eligible?
- All high school students attending school in the United States regardless of citizenship.
- Foreign exchange and visiting students attending high school in the U.S. may enter.
- Only U.S. citizens if attending high school in countries other than United States.
- Age is not a factor; Grade level is.
What is the Scholarship amount?
How many awards do you give each year?
Potentially 53 Winners in all.
- $10,000 1 National First Place Winner
- $5,000 1 National Second Place Winner
- $2,500 1 National Third Place Winner
- $1,000 1 State Winner in each state plus 1 winner for U.S. territories, 1 winner for the District of Columbia, and 1 winner for American Students abroad.
National award amount includes the state award.
If the quality of the essays from a state or region does not meet our minimum standards, that state or region may not have a winner at all. However, we evaluate the essays with an eye toward choosing a winner, rather than looking for a perfect paper. Note: These are college scholarships that can be applied when the student enters college.
What do I need to do to start on my essay?
The contest has strict guidelines for entries. Make sure you read carefully through all parts of the website or the guidebook. It contains the essay contest question, all the rules, and forms. You can download the guidebook from this Web site or request a printed guidebook from us.
Do I have to send in the forms before I begin writing?
No. The forms must accompany your essay submission.
Should I send recommendation letters?
Please do not include recommendation letters, personal statements, grade point average or a resume. We only look at the essay in our evaluation process.
How can I be sure that my essay got to you in time, or that you have received it at all?
Due to the large quantity of applications, we CANNOT give confirmation of receipt. If you are concerned, use certified mail or other such service so that you can follow up with the delivery service.
Is this an annual contest?
Yes. We have winners every year!
How do I find out if I won or not?
We contact the coordinators first. We send out the announcement by mail in the second or third week of April.
How many students entered the 2003-2004 contest?
Over 1100.
Can I ask a teacher or parent to review my work?
Yes. Every student must have a contest coordinator. Any adult can be a coordinator—a parent, teacher, neighbor, etc—and there is no formal process in becoming a coordinator except filling out the coordinator form and signing the student form. The coordinator is the person who would guide the student in their research and makes sure that the student has followed all the guidelines.
Can one organization or coordinator submit more than one entry?
Definitely. In fact, more than half of the essays we receive are club or classroom projects.
Can a group work together to write one essay?
No. Each essay must have only one author; Each essay must be the work of one student.
+1.202.457.1700 (phone) - +1.202.429.6063 (fax)
www.usip.org
