Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest (HIR)

The Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest (HIR Academic Writing Contest) is an international academic writing competition organized by the Harvard International Review and open to secondary school students worldwide. The competition encourages students to explore global issues related to international affairs, politics, economics, technology, environmental challenges, public policy, and other contemporary topics through research-based academic writing.

The HIR Academic Writing Contest is typically conducted as an individual essay competition. Participants are required to submit original academic essays in English based on official prompts or internationally relevant topics. Essays are expected to present clear arguments, structured analysis, research support, and critical thinking. The competition evaluates students’ academic research ability, English writing skills, analytical reasoning, and understanding of complex global issues.

The competition helps students strengthen academic research skills, critical thinking, analytical reasoning, English academic writing ability, and the capacity to synthesize information from multiple sources. Participants are encouraged to develop independent perspectives and communicate sophisticated ideas through structured and evidence-based writing. The competition is especially valuable for students interested in international relations, political science, economics, law, history, public policy, humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies.

Participation in the Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest demonstrates strong academic interest, intellectual curiosity, research ability, and advanced English writing skills. For students planning to apply to competitive programs in political science, international relations, economics, law, public policy, humanities, social sciences, and related interdisciplinary fields, the competition can serve as valuable evidence of academic engagement and international-level scholarly participation in university applications.