ESSAY competition

Evaluation and awards

• Students’ essays will be judged by undergraduate and law professors at Yale University.

• The top 3 essays will receive a certificate of achievement and Yale memorabilia.

• The winning essay will have the chance to be published in a major publication.

Contact information

• For more information, contact us at yalepolicyinstitute@gmail.com

• We can’t wait to see your ideas and solutions. Good luck, and let’s make a difference!

2025 International essay competition winners

First Place

Second Place

Third Place: Emily Fan

Semi Finalists:

Prompt

Choose a country and identify a significant issue it currently faces. This could be a domestic issue (such as economic instability, political polarization, or public health) or a global one (such as international relations, climate change, or migration). Conduct thorough research on the issue and propose a comprehensive policy solution that addresses the problem. Your policy should be practical, consider the country's political, economic, and social context, and account for both domestic and potential international impacts.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Who can enter: Recommended for high school students, though younger applicants are welcome to apply.

• Word count: 800 - 1000 words

• Formatting: Please use Times New Roman, size 12 font, and MLA 8/9 citations.

Submission Details

• Extended Deadline: March 08, 11:59 p.m. ET

• Winners Announced: Late April

• Submission Method: Please submit a link to a pdf of your essay with the submission fee.

• Entry Fee: $10

Honorable Mentions

Isaiah Yip

Li Derong Brianna

Ashley Guevara

Thomas Rossman

Florencia Kirsten

Carys Highum

Celia Overson

Naomi Joseph

Maizah Hassan

Eliana Kibel

Maja Przepiórkowska

Shagun Saxena

Dziugas Ciucelis