Academic Competitions Worth Entering: What to Look For and How to Prepare

Introduction to Academic Competitions

Academic competitions provide a unique opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a specific field, and can offer public recognition of their work. Winning or placing in a well-regarded competition can signal capability to employers and graduate programs, particularly in fields like business, engineering, and design. For example, the Harvard Business School Case Competition is a prestigious event that attracts top talent from around the world.

Evaluating Competitions

Before investing time and effort into a competition, it's essential to evaluate its credibility and potential benefits. Key factors to consider include:

• Organizer credibility: Government bodies, established academic associations, and major corporations are generally credible organizers. Be cautious of anonymous websites with vague prize descriptions.
• Prizes and awards: Cash, publication, mentorship, and professional exposure are valuable prizes. Certificates alone rarely justify the time investment. For instance, the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides a stipend of $34,000 per year, plus a cost-of-education allowance of $12,000 per year.
• Past winners and competition level: Check the organizer's website for previous winners to gauge the level of competition and whether you're a realistic contender. The MIT Energy Initiative's Energy Case Competition has a strong track record of attracting talented teams from top universities.
• Application fees: Legitimate competitions rarely charge to enter. Be cautious of fees above $50. The IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation charges a registration fee of $100 for students, but this includes access to the conference and networking opportunities.

Types of Academic Competitions

There are several types of academic competitions, including:

• Case competitions: Teams analyze a real business or policy problem and present solutions. Common in business schools, and increasingly popular in public policy and development. The McKinsey Global Case Competition is a notable example, with a first-place prize of $10,000.
• Research paper competitions: Submit an original research paper for review. Often organized by academic journals or associations in your field. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) hosts an annual research paper competition for medical students, with a first-place prize of $5,000.
• Design and innovation challenges: Prototype or propose a solution to a technical or social problem. Common in engineering, architecture, and public health. The World Health Organization's (WHO) Innovation Challenge invites students to develop innovative solutions to global health problems, with a first-place prize of $10,000.
• Essay competitions: Single-author written entries on a specified topic. Many foundations use these to identify and support emerging thinkers. The Fulbright Program's National Essay Competition awards up to $5,000 to winners, and provides an opportunity to study abroad.

Preparation and Submission

To prepare for an academic competition, follow these steps:

• Read the judging criteria carefully and structure your submission around them. The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide provides detailed guidance on proposal preparation and review criteria.
• Review past winning entries if available. The Harvard Business Review's Case Study Archive provides access to past winning cases and feedback from judges.
• Work with a mentor or advisor who knows the field. The National Academy of Engineering's Mentorship Program pairs students with experienced engineers and academics.
• Treat the submission deadline seriously, as late entries are almost universally disqualified. The IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation has a submission deadline of December 15th, and late submissions will not be accepted.

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