Hoover Institution Distinguished Undergraduate Essay Competition

The Hoover Institution sponsors an annual competition for distinguished essays written by undergraduates as part of their coursework at Stanford University. Essay submissions are expected to come from different disciplines and address widely varying topics that evince a concern with the values and institutions of liberty, including the impact of policies on human freedom.

HOW TO APPLY

Essays may be submitted online at any time during the academic year prior to the deadline of April 16, 2025. Eligible essays should have been written for a Stanford course during the previous twelve months. Essays should be no fewer than 4,000 words and no more than 7,500 words (including notes and bibliography), be styled in any standard format (Modern Language Association/MLA, American Psychological Association/APA, Chicago Manual of Style, etc.), and be provided as Word documents. Submissions must include a separate cover letter explaining the assignment for which the paper was written and a concise summary.

Application are now open for the 2024-2025 School Year.

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