Categories

  • Fiction: Submit one short story or a standalone excerpt from a longer work (limit of 1500 words).
  • Nonfiction: Submit a personal or creative nonfiction essay or a standalone excerpt from a longer work (limit of 1500 words).
  • Poetry: Submit between 1-3 poems, with a combined limit of 1500 words.

Please note that the word count is strict.

Requirements and Submissions

Eligibility and Requirements
  • There is no entry fee.
  • Only one submission per discipline award is allowed per student.
    • Select only one submission category to enter.
  • Open to students in grades 9–12 worldwide.
  • All entries must be original work and will be reviewed for authenticity. AI may not be used in any way.
  • Entries must be reviewed and approved by a sponsoring teacher or mentor.
  • Grade 12 students must submit through the Common Application or Coalition Application process (no application fees required, non-binding, no supplemental essays required). Once the application is complete, we will send a follow-up email with YCA submission instructions. Since so many YCA participants also apply to Bennington, this approach allows students to submit their college and YCA applications through a single process.
  • Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible.