Writing Research Programs for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 13 writing research programs for high school students. Of these, 12 are free to participate in and 9 offer virtual participation. Examples include EmersonWRITES, Girls Write Now, and LA Times High School Insider.
- 13
- listed
- 12
- free
- 9
- virtual
- 11
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are writing research programs for high school students?
- Writing Research Programs for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students interested in writing. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- When are the application deadlines?
- 11 of the 13 research programs listed here have a specific deadline month noted. Deadlines vary by program, so check each listing for exact dates.
- Are any of these research programs free?
- Yes — 12 of the 13 research programs listed here are free to participate in.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 9 of the 13 research programs listed here offer virtual or online participation.
- Are writing research programs good for a college application?
- Yes — writing research programs are a common way for high schoolers to show sustained interest and initiative in writing on college applications.
Related Categories
13 activities found·Browse by category
EmersonWRITES
A free creative writing workshop run by Emerson College for students in grades 8-12 from the Boston area, meeting each fall on campus and online to develop original fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
Girls Write Now
A New York City nonprofit that pairs high school girls and gender-expansive youth from underserved communities with professional women writers for a year of one-on-one mentorship, culminating in a published anthology.
LA Times High School Insider
A Los Angeles Times journalism platform where high school students nationwide can publish news, opinion, and feature writing under the Times banner and receive editorial feedback to develop their craft.
Lighthouse Young Authors Collective
Free weekly writers' group for teens at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver where students exchange written pieces and give and receive feedback. Drop-in academic support and writing groups are also available year-round, with a special focus on LGBTQIA+ teens and young people of color.
NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing
A national program from the National Council of Teachers of English, established in 1957, that recognizes outstanding high school sophomore and junior writers who are nominated by their teachers and respond to an annual national prompt.
NewPages Young Writers Guide to Contests
Curates "legit" contests for youth; includes many teen‑specific poetry and prose competitions.
Poets & Writers – Contests Database (Teen‑Accessible)
While not just for teens, Poets & Writers' contest database includes some competitions open to high schoolers (e.g., youth categories, general contests that accept under‑18 with permission).
Polyphony Lit
An international, student-run literary magazine in which high schoolers can submit poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction for publication, or apply to join the editorial board that trains teens to review and select peer submissions.
Project Write Now – Teen Internship Program
Project Write Now's teen internship places high-school students in a writing center where they help run programs, support classes, and develop their own creative and community writing projects.
QuestBridge National College Match
Free college-application program for high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds. Finalists are matched with full four-year scholarships to one of 50+ partner colleges (including Stanford, MIT, Princeton, Yale). Application due September 30 of senior year.
The Concord Review
Quarterly academic journal that publishes the best high school history research papers in the world (4,000-6,000 word essays). Rolling submissions across four issue deadlines: August 1 (Winter), November 1 (Spring), February 1 (Summer), May 1 (Fall). Acceptance is highly selective.
WriteGirl
A free, year-round creative writing and mentoring organization for teen girls and gender-expansive youth, offering online and in-person workshops, one-on-one mentoring with professional writers, and publishing opportunities open to participants nationwide.
Youth Communication - YCteen Magazine
A New York City nonprofit youth media organization where teen writers receive paid work experience and mentorship from professional editors as they turn personal experience into published stories for YCteen magazine.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.