Why Every Student (Yes, Even Future Engineers) Should Enter the Scholastic Writing Competition

When parents of STEM-focused students think about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, they often dismiss it. "My child is a math and coding kid," they say. "They aren't going to write a novel or a poem."

This is the single biggest misconception in college admissions today.

The Scholastic Writing Competition is not just for future novelists. In fact, it is arguably the most powerful differentiator a STEM student can have on their college application.

At Veritas Education, we look at admissions strategically. Here is why every student—especially those aiming for elite engineering, computer science, and pre-med programs—needs to participate in Scholastic Writing this summer.

1. The STEM Paradox: Standing Out in a Sea of Perfect Math Scores

If your student has a near-perfect math SAT score, a high GPA, and a handful of STEM clubs, that’s fantastic—but so do the other 20,000 applicants applying to the same top-tier universities.

When admissions officers look at a tech-heavy profile, their biggest question is: "Can this student communicate?"

Winning a regional or national award in a prestigious humanities competition like Scholastic immediately solves this problem. It proves to MIT, Stanford, and the Ivy League that your student possesses a rare, elite combination of high analytical ability and world-class communication skills. It completely disrupts the "stereotypical STEM applicant" mold.

2. You Don’t Have to Be "Creative" to Win

Many students avoid the competition because they think they lack the imagination for fiction. But Scholastic Writing features 29 different categories, many of which are purely analytical.

STEM students regularly win Gold Keys by entering the Critical Essay or Journalism categories. In these categories, the secret to winning is exactly what STEM students are already good at:

• Formulating a rigid, logical thesis.

• Analyzing data or literature systematically.

• Constructing an argumentative proof using evidence.

If your child can write a logical lab report or a structured debate case, they already possess the foundation to write a winning Scholastic piece.

3. The Ultimate Collateral Benefit: AP Prep and College Essays

Preparing a Scholastic Writing submission over the summer isn't extra work—it is a hyper-efficient multi-tool for high school success.

• AP Language & History Prep: The deep analysis and structured logic required for a Scholastic Critical Essay directly mirror the skills tested on AP English Language, AP U.S. History, and AP European History exams. Students who master this layout in the summer breeze through their DBQs (Document-Based Questions) in the fall.

• The College Essay Blueprint: The Personal Memoir category in Scholastic is essentially a test run for the Common Application personal statement. By brainstorming, structuring, and polishing a deeply reflective narrative for Scholastic during the summer, your student is simultaneously drafting a high-impact college essay before senior year even starts.

The Summer Window is Closing

The biggest barrier to winning a Scholastic Writing Award isn't talent—it's time. Once the school year begins in September, heavy AP course loads and extracurriculars leave students with zero bandwidth to draft, revise, and polish a competitive piece.

The strategy, the brainstorming, and the core writing must happen now, during the summer months.

At Veritas Education, our Scholastic Writing class, held from 6/20 to 8/15 on Saturdays for 1.5 hours each week, is tailored to lead both humanities and STEM students through the full process of creating a successful submission—from selecting the appropriate category to the final structural refinement. If the schedule doesn't fit your child, we also offer private tutoring. Contact us at team@veducation.org for more information!

👉 [Learn More & Secure a Spot in Our Summer Classes].