High School Essay Contest

An annual legal essay contest run by the Princeton Legal Journal, a Princeton undergraduate publication, for current high school students. Each year has a new theme on the U.S. Constitution (in 2026, religious liberty), and essays run 1,500 to 3,000 words excluding footnotes. There is a $15 submission fee, and the top three essays are published by the journal.

Offered by Princeton Legal Journal. Competition for high school students in USA. Format: Online. Cost: Paid. Grades 9–12. Deadline: rolling or not yet announced.

Fields: Writing, Policy

Key facts

Who can apply: High school students in grades 9 to 12. It runs online.
Cost: Charges tuition or a fee. Check the official page for the amount and whether financial aid is offered.
Dates: No date is posted for the 2026-27 cycle yet. Check the official page for when applications open.

Info checked October 2026.

Questions about High School Essay Contest

When is the High School Essay Contest deadline?

No date is posted for the 2026-27 cycle yet. Check the official page for when applications open.

Is High School Essay Contest free?

No. It charges tuition or a fee. Check the official page for the amount and whether financial aid is offered.

Who can apply to High School Essay Contest?

High school students in grades 9 to 12. It runs online. Age, residency and citizenship rules are on the official page.

Official program page

More academic competitions for high school students