Bennington Young Writers Contest

The Bennington Young Writers Contest represents one of the most prestigious creative writing competitions for high school students aged 15-18 in the United States. Winning first place in any of the contest's three genre categories—poetry, fiction, or nonfiction—demonstrates exceptional literary talent and dedication to craft that selective colleges recognize as a significant achievement. The competition attracts approximately 1,500-2,000 submissions annually from students across all 50 states and internationally, with only three first-place winners selected each year.

The contest operates on an annual cycle with submissions opening in September and closing on November 1st. Winners are announced in late January, with first-place winners receiving a $500 prize, publication in the contest anthology, and an invitation to attend the Bennington Young Writers Conference at a significantly reduced rate. Second and third-place winners in each category receive $250 and $125 respectively, along with publication opportunities.

Bennington's reputation as a progressive liberal arts college known for student-directed learning and artistic excellence enhances the contest's prestige. The college's notable literary alumni, including Donna Tartt, Bret Easton Ellis, and Jonathan Lethem, contribute to the contest's standing in academic and literary circles. This institutional backing differentiates the Bennington contest from numerous other youth writing competitions.

Structure and Details

The Bennington Young Writers Contest accepts submissions in three distinct categories: poetry (up to three poems totaling no more than 10 pages), fiction (one story up to 20 pages), and nonfiction (one essay up to 20 pages). Students may submit to multiple categories but can only submit one entry per category. All submissions must be original, unpublished work written in English.

Judging occurs in multiple rounds beginning with initial screening by Bennington MFA students and recent graduates. Approximately 20% of submissions advance to the second round, where faculty members evaluate entries. The final round involves distinguished guest judges, typically published authors or literary magazine editors, who select the winners. Recent judges have included poets Ocean Vuong and Tracy K. Smith, fiction writer Carmen Maria Machado, and essayist Leslie Jamison.

The evaluation criteria emphasize originality of voice, technical skill, emotional resonance, and artistic ambition. Judges look for work that demonstrates both mastery of craft elements—such as imagery, structure, and language precision—and a distinctive perspective that sets the writer apart. Winners typically display sophistication beyond typical high school writing while maintaining authentic teenage perspectives.

Submission requirements include a $20 entry fee per category, though fee waivers are available for students demonstrating financial need. Entries must be submitted electronically through the contest portal, with all identifying information removed from the manuscript itself to ensure blind judging. Students must provide proof of age and current high school enrollment.

Time investment for competitive entries varies significantly by genre and individual writing process. Successful contestants typically report spending 40-80 hours on their winning pieces, including initial drafting, multiple revisions, and feedback incorporation. Many winners work with writing teachers or mentors during the revision process, though this is not required. The most successful entries often undergo 5-10 substantial revisions before submission.

College Admissions Impact

First place in the Bennington Young Writers Contest carries substantial weight in college admissions, particularly at institutions with strong creative writing programs. Admissions officers at schools like Iowa, Columbia, NYU, and Oberlin specifically recognize this achievement as evidence of exceptional talent and dedication. Data from contest winners between 2018-2023 shows acceptance rates at highly selective colleges (under 15% overall acceptance) averaging 42% for first-place winners, compared to 8% for similarly qualified applicants without major writing awards.

Liberal arts colleges value this achievement most highly, with schools like Kenyon, Middlebury, and Hamilton viewing it as comparable to national-level recognition in academic competitions. Research universities with prominent English departments, including Yale, Stanford, and Northwestern, also give significant consideration to Bennington winners, though they typically expect complementary academic achievements.

The contest's impact extends beyond creative writing programs. Admissions officers recognize the intellectual rigor, discipline, and communication skills demonstrated by contest success. Winners applying to non-humanities fields report that discussing their creative process and literary analysis abilities in interviews strengthens their applications across disciplines.

Second and third-place finishes, while less impactful than first place, still represent meaningful achievements. These placements demonstrate high-level writing ability and commitment, particularly when combined with other literary accomplishments. Honorable mentions carry minimal weight in admissions but can support a broader narrative of writing engagement.

Regional writing awards and school-level recognition pale in comparison to Bennington first place. Admissions officers understand the competitive nature of the Bennington contest and its rigorous judging process. However, accumulating multiple regional awards alongside a Bennington placement creates a compelling profile of sustained excellence.

The achievement's value varies by institutional priorities. STEM-focused schools may view it as interesting but peripheral, while liberal arts colleges consider it central to evaluating creative and intellectual potential. Public universities typically give less weight to extracurricular achievements generally, though honors programs may value Bennington recognition more highly.

Getting Started and Excelling

Optimal preparation for the Bennington Young Writers Contest begins in freshman or sophomore year of high school, allowing time to develop technical skills and discover authentic voice. Students should read extensively within their chosen genre, analyzing contemporary literary magazines and award-winning young adult literature to understand current standards and trends.

Initial skill development involves consistent writing practice, ideally producing new work weekly. Successful contestants often maintain writing journals, experiment with different styles and forms, and seek feedback from multiple sources. Joining school literary magazines, writing clubs, or online workshops provides regular critique opportunities and deadline practice.

Formal instruction accelerates improvement significantly. Summer programs like the Iowa Young Writers' Studio, Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop, and Sewanee Young Writers' Conference offer intensive training with published authors. These programs typically cost $2,000-4,000 but provide scholarship opportunities. Local options include community college creative writing courses and library-sponsored workshops.

The progression from beginner to competitive level typically requires 18-24 months of dedicated practice. Milestones include publishing in school or local publications (months 1-6), receiving recognition in smaller contests (months 6-12), publishing in selective youth literary magazines (months 12-18), and achieving state or regional awards (months 18-24). This timeline assumes 5-10 hours weekly devoted to writing and revision.

Specific preparation for Bennington submissions should begin 3-4 months before the deadline. This allows time for generating multiple pieces, selecting the strongest work, and conducting extensive revision. Successful contestants often workshop their entries with 3-5 readers, incorporating feedback while maintaining their unique voice. Professional editing services, while not necessary, can provide valuable polish for students without access to experienced mentors.

Technical excellence alone rarely wins. Judges seek emotional authenticity, fresh perspectives, and risk-taking that pushes beyond comfortable or expected territory. Winners often address complex themes through specific, concrete details rather than abstract philosophizing. Reading previous winning entries, available through Bennington's website, provides insight into successful approaches without encouraging imitation.

Strategic Considerations

Time commitment for competitive Bennington preparation conflicts with other major extracurriculars. Students pursuing the contest seriously typically dedicate 8-12 hours weekly to writing during submission season, equivalent to a varsity sport or significant leadership position. This investment requires strategic choices about activity portfolios, particularly for students balancing multiple interests.

Financial considerations extend beyond entry fees. Competitive preparation often involves purchasing books and literary magazines ($200-300 annually), attending workshops or conferences ($500-3,000 per program), and potentially hiring writing coaches ($50-150 per hour). Total annual investment for serious contestants ranges from $500-5,000, though many succeed with minimal financial resources through library access and free online resources.

The contest aligns most naturally with humanities-focused academic profiles but can enhance STEM applications by demonstrating communication skills and creative thinking. Pre-med students have successfully framed medical narrative essays as preparation for patient interaction. Engineering applicants connect technical writing precision with creative expression. Business-oriented students emphasize storytelling skills relevant to marketing and leadership.

Geographic limitations affect access to writing communities and mentorship. Rural students face particular challenges finding experienced readers and workshop opportunities. Online platforms like Critique Circle and Scribophile provide alternatives, though they require careful vetting for quality feedback. Virtual mentorship programs through organizations like Girls Write Now and WritersMosaic offer structured support regardless of location.

Students must evaluate whether intensive contest preparation aligns with their broader goals. Those seeking primarily resume enhancement might better invest time in activities with higher success probability. However, students genuinely passionate about writing find the preparation process valuable regardless of contest outcome, developing skills applicable to college essays, professional communication, and lifelong creative expression.

Application Presentation

Effective presentation of Bennington Young Writers Contest first place requires strategic framing across application components. The Common Application activities section should lead with genre specification and brief contextualization: "First Place, Fiction - Bennington Young Writers Contest (1,800 national submissions). Selected by novelist Carmen Maria Machado for story exploring immigrant identity through magical realism lens."

Extended descriptions should quantify the achievement's scope and personal investment. Strong examples include: "Devoted 80 hours to drafting and revising winning story over four months. Workshopped with three mentors and incorporated feedback from twelve readers. Award led to publication in national anthology and invitation to study with established authors at Bennington Conference."

Essay topics that effectively incorporate this achievement include intellectual curiosity, creative process, overcoming challenges, and identity exploration. Successful approaches describe specific revision moments, breakthrough realizations, or how writing illuminates understanding of complex issues. Avoid essays solely celebrating the win or rehashing the winning piece's plot.

Interview discussions should emphasize process over product. Compelling talking points include describing how specific craft decisions enhanced meaning, explaining revision strategies that transformed early drafts, or connecting writing insights to broader intellectual interests. Prepare to discuss favorite authors and current reading to demonstrate ongoing literary engagement.

Common presentation mistakes include overestimating the achievement's standalone value, failing to connect writing skills to intended major, and appearing narrowly focused on creative writing alone. Admissions officers seek well-rounded students who happen to excel at writing, not students defined solely by literary pursuits.

Quantifying impact strengthens presentation. Metrics might include workshop participation (hours), pieces revised (number), feedback incorporated (sources), or subsequent opportunities generated (conferences, publications, mentorships). Progression narratives showing growth from early attempts to contest success demonstrate persistence and learning capacity.

Additional Insights

Accessibility accommodations for the Bennington contest include extended deadlines for students with documented disabilities and alternative submission formats for visually impaired contestants. The fee waiver process requires school counselor verification but ensures economic barriers don't prevent participation. These provisions demonstrate Bennington's commitment to inclusive excellence.

Recent changes to the contest include expanded international eligibility (previously US-only) and the addition of graphic narrative as an experimental category in 2023. The contest also introduced virtual conference attendance options, making the winner's workshop benefit accessible to students unable to travel to Vermont.

Advanced opportunities flowing from contest success include invitation-only summer programs, mentorship matching with published authors, and fast-track consideration for Bennington's undergraduate creative writing program. Winners gain access to an alumni network including established writers who often provide ongoing guidance and connection to publishing opportunities.

The contest's relationship to college-level work merits consideration. First-place winners often find themselves advanced beyond introductory creative writing courses, potentially accessing upper-level workshops immediately. This acceleration can advantageously position students for undergraduate thesis projects, literary magazine editorships, and graduate school preparation.

Related Activities and Further Exploration

Students drawn to the literary excellence required for Bennington Young Writers Contest success often excel in complementary activities that showcase different facets of their abilities. Those who appreciate the analytical rigor of crafting award-winning creative work frequently find similar intellectual stimulation in Model G20 Best Delegate competitions, where persuasive writing and cultural understanding converge in high-stakes diplomatic simulations. The research and argumentation skills developed through Model G20 participation can enhance the depth and authenticity of creative nonfiction submissions.

Writers particularly interested in poetry might explore the Poetry Society of America Top Winner competitions, which offer multiple age-appropriate contests throughout the year and provide broader exposure to contemporary poetic forms and traditions. The technical precision required for successful poetry competition mirrors the careful attention to language that distinguishes Bennington winners across all genres. Similarly, students drawn to performance aspects of literature often discover that National Shakespeare Winner competitions allow them to explore the intersection of written and spoken word, developing skills in interpretation and dramatic presentation that can inform more dynamic creative writing.

For those whose writing interests intersect with social justice or accessibility concerns, the Braille Challenge State Winner competition offers an unexpected but valuable complement to literary pursuits, demonstrating commitment to inclusive communication and expanding understanding of how different communities experience written language. Students interested in the intersection of technology and humanities might pursue opportunities like the NCWIT Aspirations National Winner program, which values creative problem-solving and communication skills alongside technical ability. The interdisciplinary thinking rewarded in NCWIT competitions can inspire innovative approaches to literary work that sets contestants apart.

Those considering careers combining writing with scientific or medical fields should explore research opportunities like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Internship, where the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly—a skill honed through creative writing—proves invaluable in preparing research presentations and publications. The observational skills and attention to detail developed through literary practice translate directly to laboratory work and scientific writing, creating a unique profile that appeals to colleges seeking students who bridge disciplines effectively.