Opportunity category
Competitions for High School Students
Competitions give students a concrete goal to work toward and a stage to prove themselves. Whether it is a science olympiad, a hackathon, or an essay contest, placing well becomes a standout line on any application.
DC Summer STEM Academy Competition
Washington Academy of Sciences
High‑school teams from DC, Maryland, and Virginia develop a prototype solution to an environmental challenge (e.g., water quality monitoring). Teams use Arduino, sensors, and data visualization tools, presenting their project to a panel of scientists for awards.
National Merit Scholarship Competition
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Students participate in a competition, taking the PSAT/NMSQT and competing for scholarships.
Science Fair Competition
The Franklin Institute
Students participate in a science fair competition, presenting their research projects and experiments to a panel of judges. They develop their scientific skills, learn from feedback, and compete for awards and recognition.
The Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
High school students participate in a science competition, where they compete in events such as biology, chemistry, and physics. The competition takes place at various locations nationwide.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Scholastic
Students submit original artwork or writing, and compete for recognition and scholarships. They learn about self-expression, creativity, and career opportunities in the arts.
Regeneron Science Talent Search
Society for Science & the Public
Students submit original research projects in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and compete for scholarships and recognition. They learn about research design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
Frequently asked questions
What competitions can high school students enter?
Options include science olympiads, math contests, hackathons, debate, essay contests, business case competitions, and science fairs. This page lists ones open to high schoolers across subjects.
Do competitions help with college admissions?
Placing well in a recognized competition is a strong, concrete signal of skill. Even participating shows initiative—colleges value sustained involvement more than a single trophy.
Are competitions free to enter?
Many are free; some charge a registration or team fee. Each listing notes cost where known, but confirm on the official site before registering.
When do high school competitions happen?
Timing varies widely—some run in the fall, others in spring, with registration often weeks or months ahead. Check each competition’s deadline and plan around your school year.