Top 10 Academic UK and US Competitions for International Students

Competition Prep

Participating in international competitions can be a transformative experience for students like you, allowing you to showcase your wit, earn recognition from reputable institutions, and even secure scholarships. International competition participation can even bring additional benefits such as gaining global exposure and expanding horizons, depending on your field of interest. If you are interested in competing, here are some competitions you can join, the ideal time to start preparing, and the different educational platforms that can help you.

Top 10 Academic UK and US Competitions for International Students:

If you are an international student, there are plenty of competitions to choose from, ranging from academic challenges to creative contests. Here are some of the most popular ones:

1. International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO): The IMO is the oldest and most prestigious international mathematics competition for high school students. First held in Romania in 1959, it has since grown to become a global event and aims to challenge students with advanced mathematical problems that require creativity, insight, and rigorous problem-solving skills. The IMO is also a platform for students to demonstrate their mathematical abilities on an international stage. Eligible for students 20 years old and below on the day of the second contest paper (typically in July), the competition accepts a team of up to six students from each participating country. The selection of students is often based on national mathematics competitions.

2. Model United Nations (MUN): In MUN, students simulate the workings of the United Nations, debate global issues, and try to draft resolutions. This competition hones public speaking, diplomacy, and negotiation skills. Participants are selected by local organizers or by their school. If your school does not participate in it, you may opt to register online or through your local organizer.

3. John Locke Essay Competition: Held annually by the John Locke Institute, the John Locke Essay Competition encourages critical thinking by writing on philosophical, political, and economic issues. The competition is open to ages 14-18, with different categories for younger and older participants. Through this competition, young people are encouraged to engage with challenging intellectual questions in subjects such as philosophy, politics, economics, history, and law.

4. Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest (HIR AWC): Open to students between the ages of 13 to 18, this contest is an avenue for participants to showcase their research and writing skills on global issues and themes pre-chosen by the competition committee. The contest provides an opportunity to get published in HIR.

5. Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI): FPSPI encourages students to think critically, work collaboratively, and propose innovative solutions to real-world problems. Founded in 1974, it has grown into a global competition involving thousands of students globally. The competition is divided into several components; the Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) where teams or individuals analyze a scenario related to a global issue and follow a six-step problem-solving process to propose solutions; the Community Problem Solving (CmPS) where students identify and address problems within their communities, creating and implementing action plans to solve them; Scenario writing where each participant write narratives set at least 20 years in the future, based on one of the year’s global topics and; the Scenario performance where similar to scenario writing but focuses on oral storytelling.

6. The Conrad Challenge: This competition is an annual, multi-disciplinary innovation competition for high school students to develop innovative solutions to global problems. Named after astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad, the competition seeks to inspire young people to think like entrepreneurs and use their creativity to address real-world challenges. The competition is divided into several phases where students will outline their innovative ideas, develop a business plan, and present their projects to a panel of judges at the Conrad Innovation Summit.

7. National History Day (NHD): Founded in 1974 in Cleveland, Ohio, NHD aims to enhance research skills and understanding of history through research, writing, presentation, and critical thinking. There are 2 categories, the Junior Division (Grades 6-8) and the Senior Division (Grades 9-12). Students will have to choose a historical topic related to an annual theme and then conduct in-depth research using primary and secondary sources.

8. The World Scholar’s Cup (WSC): An academic team competition for students aged 11-18, the WSC combines debate, writing, and multiple-choice challenges. Founded in 2007, it aims to foster collaboration, public speaking, and creative thinking in students worldwide. In teams of three, students engage in debates on a variety of topics, individually write essays on different prompts, a multiple-choice quiz, and a fast-paced team quiz which all test students' knowledge across six subjects, including science, history, literature, art, music, and social studies.

9. Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): Founded by the Society for Science, ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science competition. Open to high school students from around the world (usually winners of affiliated fairs), ISEF provides scholarships, recognition, and networking opportunities with top scientists and universities through scientific research, presentation, and critical thinking. It also encourages students to tackle real-world problems using scientific methods and to present their findings to a global audience.

10. American Regions Mathematics League (ARML): ARML is an international math competition where teams of high school students compete in challenging mathematics problems that are open to high school students globally, with teams often including students from international schools. It aims to foster a love for mathematics among high school students, promote teamwork, and challenge participants with complex mathematical problems.

What do you need to prepare for a competition?

Time is crucial when it comes to competition preparation. Ideally, you should start preparing at least six months in advance, especially for highly competitive and challenging competitions.

Aside from early preparation, here are other 5 tips to consider:

Follow the guidelines - Each competition has a different guideline. For example, essay writing competitions have a required citation format. Some competitions have a theme, like the HIR AWC. Make sure you follow this to ensure that your submission is impeccable.

Practice - For academic Olympiads, participating in timed mock tests will help simulate the competition environment. Reviewing and solving the previous years' problems can also build your familiarity and knowledge when doing tests.

Focus on honing skills - For essay competitions, you need to spend ample time refining your writing and research skills. You must choose a topic early on, conduct extensive research, and draft multiple versions of your essay to ensure it's polished and well-argued. To be at ease, you may avail of writing exercise services to make sure that your essay is polished to perfection. For public speaking or debate competitions, pronunciation exercises can help you get comfortable and enhance your confidence leading up to the competition.

Stay consistent and manage stress - In any competition, consistency is key. Set a study schedule and stick to it, even if it's just a little progress each day. Managing stress is also crucial—balance your preparation with relaxation and activities to avoid burnout.

Use Available Resources - Use educational platforms, books, and past papers to deepen your understanding. You may also avail one-on-one tutoring sessions with experts who specialize in your competition area. By attending online tutoring sessions, you have the chance to be more prepared for any competition you’ll join.

What are the benefits of online tutoring services?

Several online tutoring services provide tailored tutoring services to help you maximize your potential so you can excel in competitions. Here’s how:

1. Personalized Coaching - Online tutoring services offer one-on-one coaching sessions that are optimized to your specific competition needs. Whether you’re preparing for the IMO or the John Locke Essay Competition, the plethora of expert tutors from different fields can guide you through the process.

2. Comprehensive Resources - Online tutoring services provide access to numerous application tools and other relevant resources like practice tests. These are designed to equip you with the right knowledge and give you an edge during the competition.

3. Confidence Building - Preparing for competitions can be daunting, but online tutoring services help build confidence through constructive and personalized feedback. You will also identify and address your specific areas of weaknesses well before the competition starts.

4. Flexible Scheduling - Online tutoring services offer flexible tutoring sessions, allowing you to attend sessions at your convenience. You can even pick a tutor who matches your learning style and needs.

Preparing for an international competition can feel overwhelming but by starting early and following these steps, you can significantly boost your chances of winning. With focused preparation, you’ll not only deepen your knowledge and improve your skills but also gain the confidence to stand out among the best. So, if you’re planning to enter a competition, the time to start is today!