Fall 2022 Essay Contest
Who we are
Started in 2006, the Harvard Undergraduate Law Review is a student-run organization at Harvard College dedicated to providing undergraduates with an opportunity to learn about the field of law and the career options it provides. It aims to support students interested in pursuing law after college and to raise awareness about legal studies in the broader Boston community. As the only pre-law publication on the Harvard College campus, it has a wide audience that is eager to participate in world-class discussion of legal issues and to learn from the resources that the publication offers. Our primary goal in creating this competition is to promote youth engagement in the law.
The HULR’s annual contest is among the most prestigious writing competitions for high school students, receiving hundreds of applications from students across four continents.
Our contest seeks to provide recognition for high school students who demonstrate intelligent engagement with the law and its implications for society. We especially seek to recognize writing that is shaped by a variety of perspectives. Therefore, we consider diversity in topics, sources, and authors to be a critical component of excellence.
Rules and Guidelines
Structure of the Competition
We are asking high school students to write a short essay responding to our semesterly theme. The essay should focus on a law, case, aspect of the legal system, or intersection between law and another discipline. We are looking for well-crafted, argumentative pieces that draw on various points of evidence to comment on the way law intersects with our theme. Good examples of the type of work we are looking for can be found under our Issues page, and examples of previous winning articles can be found here.
Essay Theme
The theme for the HULR’s Fall 2022 Essay Contest is “Keeping up with the Times.” In recent decades, governments and the law have been criticized for failing to adapt to a world that is changing much faster than them. How can a relatively static institution like the law keep up with an ever-changing world? You are encouraged to discuss any areas of the law in which you believe legal institutions have not been dynamic enough to provide an adequate structure for the problems they face. To substantiate your claims, you may discuss the legal system(s) of any nation, state, or locality with which you are familiar — not only that of the United States.
Contest Details
Deadline:
Friday, December 16, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET
Expectations
Essay
Word Count: 750-1000 words
Font: Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced
Must include a reference list and in-text citations (MLA, APA, or Chicago style)
Submit as a word document or pdf and title it “Last Name_First Name”
Work must be entirely the applicant’s own and must be original
Applicants may only submit one article
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time school and be in grades 9-12
Prize
All winning pieces will be published on our website and featured on our Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook. In addition, the winners will receive gift cards and an autographed book prize.
Judging Criteria
The HULR masthead will look at the following criteria in judging submissions:
Issue identification: The chosen issue is based on material provided in the prompt and is stated in a concise thesis statement.The problem is clearly identified and the connection between the issue and the prompt is thoroughly explored.
Argument: The author takes a unique and original view on the prompt. The argument does not repeat facts but attempts to advance a well-reasoned, evidence-based perspective.
Structure: The thesis and topic sentences are clear and tie together logically. The structure helps advance the author’s argument. The essay can easily be understood by a non-expert and provides appropriate background knowledge.
Style: Diction is appropriate and is not overly militant or emotionally-charged. The author follows proper grammatical conventions and presents a polished essay.
Citations: Cite any sources and facts you use in a consistent format. Use one of three styles (APA, MLA, Chicago). Make sure to also attach a reference list. Please use reputable academic sources.
Submission
Entry Fee
An entry fee of $10 must accompany each submission. The HULR is dedicated to ensuring our opportunities are accessible to all students. As such, we issue fee waivers upon request. Please contact hulawreview@gmail.com if you require a waiver.
If any entry is submitted to HULR without the appropriate fee or fee waiver, it will be disqualified.
Questions or Concerns
Email us at hulawreview@gmail.com.