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The Harvard Political Review is a student-run journal of politics, policy, and culture. The HPR is written and published entirely by Harvard undergraduates and is housed at the Institute of Politics.
The HPR was founded in 1969 by a group of Harvard College undergraduates. The founders envisioned a publication that allowed students to research, write, and edit incisive reportage and commentary in a thoughtful, non-partisan forum. To this day, the HPR does not take publication-wide editorial positions. While individual articles have distinct viewpoints, the publication as a whole does not represent any ideology or party.
Over the past generation, the HPR has incubated some of the best political minds in America. Among the magazine’s alumni are Al Gore, Jr. (former United States Vice President and Nobel Laureate), E.J. Dionne, Jr. (Washington Post columnist), Jonathan Alter (former Newsweek Senior Editor and columnist), and Jeffrey Sachs (Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University).
The Harvard Political Review Essay Competition challenges you to engage with critical social and political issues that define our world today.
This isn’t just an essay competition—it’s an opportunity to explore global political dynamics, the influence of international institutions, local community challenges, the power of youth activism, and the role of technology in shaping politics. Dive into these thought-provoking topics, sharpen your analytical skills, and contribute your insights to the ongoing conversation about our shared future.
Whether you’re passionate about global change, local impact, or the intersection of technology and politics, this is your chance to make your voice heard and inspire meaningful dialogue. Don’t miss this opportunity to amplify your ideas and leave your mark as a young thought leader!
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Distinguish yourself from your peers by participating in a renowned competition that showcases your analytical and writing skills—boosting your profile for university applications and future endeavors
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Collaborate with peers who are passionate about politics, society, and change, and establish yourself as an emerging voice in vital global dialogues.
The HPR will feature the work of global champions, 1st runners-up, and 2nd runners-up on its website, providing a platform to share your insights with the global audience
Each participant will submit an essay in response to 1 of the prompts.
Middle School Category
Grade: 6-8 (Year 7-9)
High School Category
Grade: 9-12 (Year 10-13)
Each team member select a distinct prompt. The number of prompts a team will tackle corresponds to its size.
For example, a team with 2 members will choose 2 different prompts, a team with 3 members will choose 3 different prompts, and so on, up to teams with 5 members selecting 5 distinct prompts.
Middle School Category
Grade: 6-8 (Year 7-9)
High School Category
Grade: 9-12 (Year 10-13)
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Participants will engage in exclusive training led by members of the Harvard Political Review, centered on the theme: "What Makes a Story Powerful and Responsible?". Moving beyond standard writing techniques, these workshops are designed to help students balance persuasion with integrity, refine their arguments, and construct compelling submissions. Participants will gain direct insights from experienced editors, enhancing their storytelling craft, analytical thinking, and public speaking abilities.
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This competition is more than just a challenge—it’s your pathway to making an impact on the social and political issues that matter most to you.
Register now to embark on a journey of critical thinking, writing and presentation. Delve into the topics you’re passionate about, refine your research and analytical skills, and present your insights. This is your chance to contribute your voice and ideas like the next generation of leaders.
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AlgoEd is a platform that hosts curated, prestigious competitions for middle and high school students.
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