The Solid Essay Contest has become a leading platform for writers to showcase their talent. It doesn't matter whether you are a professional writer or a student with a writing hobby, everyone has an equal chance to participate in this contest. The competition attracts people from all walks of life and encourages them to think outside the box. If you participate and win, you'll get a scholarship which can open doors to exclusive academic programs and networking opportunities.

But entering the solid essay scholarship contest is not just about winning; it's about your development, your growth as a thinker, and your journey to be a front-runner among your peers. In this article, we discuss this year’s topics and trends in the competition as well as questions from the past competitions, and the strategies that will improve your chances of winning.

This Year’s Topics for the 2024-2025  Solid Essay Contest

For the 2024-2025 contest, participants must choose one from three topics:

1. The Future of Work: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Challenges

In a job market facing constant change in the digital age, it’s important for students to start thinking about how they can be prepared for the workforce of tomorrow. What characteristics will workers need to be successful in the decades ahead? How can schools help prepare students not just with specific content knowledge but also with the skills required to thrive in this rapidly changing world? 

2. A Lesson Learned the Hard Way

Talk about a time when you had to overcome a major challenge. How did it end? What did you learn through the experience? 

3. If I Could Change One Thing About My School 

If you could make a single alteration to your school, what would that be? Why does a change like this matter, and how could it make the student experience better?

Essays must be 600-800 words, and submissions are due by June 9, 2025. Participants should deliver their submissions via email to solidessay@gmail.com as a Microsoft Word or Google Docs attachment.

Previous Years' Competition Topics

Here are the solid essay scholarship essay questions over the past few years:

2019 - 2020

• What is your best role model and why?
• Is homework beneficial? Describe pros and cons.
• What is the most helpful educational app you've ever used?
• What was the most valuable lesson about life you learned?
• In your opinion, what is the hardest subject to study and why?

2020 - 2021

• What will life be like in 10 or 20 years from now?
• What is your idea of the perfect day?
• Describe your biggest achievement.
• Is writing essays boring or fun?
• Which is better, writing or reading?

2021 - 2022

• In your opinion, what's the best type of sport to join and why? 
• What movie have you recently watched that had a great impact on you and why?
• What book have you recently read that had a great impact on you and why?
• If you were a teacher what new subject would you teach and why?
• What foreign country do you plan/want to visit and why?

2022 - 2023

• Reasons for attending or not attending college.
• Is college admission getting too sharp?
• The effect of a parent, teacher, or friend on your life.

2023 - 2024

• The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future: Threat or Opportunity?
• Climate Change: Reimagining a Sustainable Future
• The Power of Words: How Storytelling Influences Society

Winners of the Last Competition

The top three solid essay scholarship contest winners of the previous year are:

• Emma Nguyen 
• Arjun Patel
• Isabella Russo

Tips for Winning the 2024-2025 Competition

Winning the Solid Essay Contest is not just about meeting the word goal or responding to the prompt with the given criteria. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

1. Be Original

Your essay should add something new or approach the topic in a way that haven't seen before. Judges love new thoughts. They also check for plagiarism, so beware of copying someone else's work.

2. Provide a Clear Structure

All good essays are structured to make sense to readers. You make some point, then you make another related point to back up the first, then your third point, and so on, before summarizing your argument in your conclusion.

3. Do Research 

Back up each point with a piece of supporting information — such as a fact, anecdote, or quote — that will help the reader understand why you think it's important. Research helps you develop exciting project ideas that can support your work.

4. Pay Attention to Detail 

It’s surprising how often sloppy things get through editing. Take the time to proofread or have someone else do it for you. A polished essay stands out. 

5. Engage the Reader

Strong essays captivate readers with thoughtful insights, vivid descriptions, and a clear sense of purpose.

Enhance Your Writing with Research 

If you're keen on participating in the Solid Essay Contest, you may also find the Harvard Crimson Global Essay (HCGEC) worthwhile. Just like the Solid Essay Contest, this competition has no barriers to entry. The entire competition is held online, so students from all over the world can freely participate. Winners will have their works published on the official HCGEC website, and they will also earn generous cash prizes and exclusive internships with The Harvard Crimson. Learn more about the competition and register for free.

Participating in scholarship essay contests for high school students will give you a chance to demonstrate your writing capabilities, put you on the map, and win a scholarship on the side. The benefits go beyond the immediate rewards, as you will also gain critical thinking and communication skills vital for academic and job excellence. Remember to be authentic, organized, and ready to research the theme in detail.