What are some popular high school writing competitions I should consider entering?

I've always loved writing and I'm thinking of entering some writing competitions to build my skills and resume. I'm a junior in high school and I'm on the lookout for reputable competitions that are open to high school students. Are there any specific contests that are well-regarded or known to be a good stepping stone? Also, would participating in these competitions significantly enhance my college application in the eyes of admissions officers?

Entering writing competitions can undoubtedly provide a valuable proving ground for your skills and could add an interesting angle to your college application. Some of the highly-respected competitions that you might want to consider include:

1. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: This is one of the most prestigious competitions for creative teenagers. It offers recognition and scholarships to students across a wide range of artistic disciplines, including writing.

2. The New York Times Personal Narrative Contest: This competition implores high school students to tell short, impactful stories about meaningful life moments.

3. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo): Though not a conventional contest, participating in a challenge like NaNoWriMo can be impressive in its own right—the goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in one month.

4. The Princeton University Poetry Contest for High School Students: If you lean towards poetry, you should consider this prestigious contest aimed at recognizing outstanding work among high school poets.

Participating in such competitions demonstrates to admissions officers not only your passion for writing, but also your initiative, commitment, and willingness to challenge yourself. Remember that quality is more important than quantity—focusing on a few competitions and dedicating yourself fully to each entry will likely be more beneficial than spreading yourself too thin across many competitions. That said, winning or ranking in these competitions can certainly enhance your college application, especially if you are looking to study in fields related to writing, like journalism or English literature.

Finally, don't forget to consider the writing itself as an end worthwhile—yes, competitions can bolster your applications, but they also provide an avenue for you to explore and deepen your passion for writing. Practice, experience, and feedback can be gained, and, last but not least, they certainly add an element of fun and challenge! Good luck as you venture down this exciting path.