Other writing competitions worth entering
Essay competitions are a strong signal for humanities and business applicants — they show writing skill, argument and intellectual range. If you’re aiming at selective universities, these pair well with the John Locke prize, and we coach for them too.
HIR — Harvard International Review Writing Competition
Founded in 1979, known for an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural approach across history, literature, the arts and philosophy.
HIEEC — Harvard International Economics Essay Competition
Run by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association and the Harvard College Economic Review — economic reasoning meets real-world argument.
Marshall Society Economics Essay Competition
From the Marshall Society (founded 1927) at the University of Cambridge, named after economist Alfred Marshall — a respected target for Oxbridge-bound students.
The New York Times Writing Competitions
A series of prestigious yet accessible contests — from editorials and reviews to personal narrative — open to a wide range of students worldwide.
The Concord Review
The only quarterly journal in the world to publish exemplary history essays by secondary-school students — a highly selective, internationally recognised credential for serious young historians.
How they complement the John Locke prize
Economics applicants
Pair John Locke Economics with HIEEC and the Marshall Society to build a focused, subject-deep portfolio.
Future historians
John Locke History alongside The Concord Review signals serious, long-form research ability.
Broad humanities
HIR and the NYT contests add range and journalistic writing to a philosophy or politics profile.
A coherent set of two or three competitions says more to admissions than scattered entries. We help you choose a combination that fits your strengths and timeline.