8 National Competitions for High School Students
For high schoolers with a deep interest in subjects such as science, mathematics, arts, or humanities, participating in national-level competitions can offer substantial advantages. These competitions not only allow students to challenge themselves against the best minds in the country, but they also offer invaluable experience in tackling real-world problems, collaborating with peers, and honing their skills in competitive environments.
By competing at the national level, students gain recognition for their expertise, which can be crucial when crafting statements of purpose (SOPs) for college applications or even seeking scholarships. Below is a list of 10 notable national competitions across different subjects that high schoolers should consider.
1. United States of America Biology Olympiad (USABO)
Location: Online/local to your school. Finalists are invited to a university venue for the final round, but this location changes every year.
Cost: Free
Competition Dates:
February 6, 2025: Online Open Exam;
March 27, 2025: Semifinal Exam;
National finals will take place in May 2025
Application Deadline: November 8, 2024
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-12
The USA Biology Olympiad is one of the most prestigious biology competitions for high school students. Participants are tested on their knowledge and understanding of biology, with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving in areas such as genetics, ecology, and cellular biology. Top students advance through local and regional levels to compete at the national level, where the top four students are selected to represent the U.S. in the International Biology Olympiad.
The competitions includes multiple-choice questions, short-answers and tru/false questions. Moreover, in the final round, the top 20 semifinalists for an intense 12-day experience. During the first 10 days, participants receive specialized instruction, engage in lab work, and take part in field trips. They also learn advanced theoretical concepts from esteemed professors and experts with the assistance of former USABO finalists!
For a deeper dive into this competition, read this article here!
2. United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO)
Location: Online for the initial rounds; in-person for national finalists
Cost: The early registration fee is $33. The regular is $76, and the late is $116.
Competition Dates:
AMC 10 A and 12 A: November 6, 2024
AMC 10 B and 12 B: November 12, 2024
Dates for AIME I and II and USAMO have not yet been posted, but AIME tends to be in early February, and USAMO tends to be in late March.
Application Deadline: (Early) September 23, 2024 (Regular) October 22, 2024 (Late) October 30, 2024
Eligibility: High school students must qualify through AMC 10/12 and AIME exams
The USA Mathematical Olympiad is a high-level mathematics competition that selects the top high school mathematicians in the country. The USAMO is a proof-based exam that challenges students with complex, abstract problems. Success in the USAMO can lead to participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad, providing a significant boost to college applications for those interested in mathematics, physics, and engineering.
The USAMO is an intensive two-day exam that challenges students with six essay/proof-based questions over a total of nine hours. The top 12 participants are honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and six of these students are selected to represent the U.S. at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).
Additionally, top performers from the USAMO are invited to the Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP), a rigorous 3-4 week training camp for the nation’s most talented math students.
3. United States Academic Decathlon (USAD)
Location: The 2025 final will be held in Des Moines, IA
Cost: Registration fees were $350 per team in 2024, but costs are paid by the school typically.
Competition Dates: Regional competitions typically begin in the winter; Nationals in April
Application Deadline: Varies by state
Eligibility: Teams of 9 members from grades 9-12. Teams must consist of three students belonging to each of these categories
Honors students: GPA of 3.80 or higher
Scholastic students: GPA between 3.20 and 3.79
Varsity students: GPA of 3.20 or below
The United States Academic Decathlon is a comprehensive competition that covers a wide range of subjects, including science, literature, social science, economics, and art. Teams of students compete in ten different academic events, testing their knowledge in both objective exams and subjective performance events such as speeches and interviews. This interdisciplinary approach is highly regarded by colleges, especially for students with a broad range of interests.
The USAD provides students with an opportunity to showcase their expertise across multiple disciplines at a competitive level. If you are interested, you can read more about the USAD in this Lumiere article.
4. National Championship by NAQT (National Academic Quiz Tournaments)
Location: Finals will be held at Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Hilton Atlanta, but teams qualify at their local regular-season tournaments
Cost: In the past, the registration fee was $840 per team
Competition Dates: The national final will be May 23-25, 2025
Eligibility: High school teams qualify through regional tournaments that are NAQT-sponsored or affiliated and rank in the top 15%
NAQT's National Championship Tournament is a top-level quiz bowl competition that tests students on a wide array of subjects, including history, literature, science, and pop culture. Teams qualify for the national tournament by participating in regional events throughout the school year. This competition rewards quick recall, deep knowledge, and teamwork, making it an excellent opportunity for students with strong interdisciplinary knowledge.
Read this article, which goes deeper into HSNCT, here!
5. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Location: Regional exhibitions and awards; National Ceremony held at Carnegie Hall, New York City
Cost: $10 per individual entry and $30 per portfolio. There are fee waivers available for students who need them.
Competition Dates:
Submissions open in September and close in December or January, but specific deadlines are different based on region.
Regional winners are notified by the end of March.
National award winners are announced in June.
The national ceremony is held in June.
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the most prestigious competitions for young artists and writers in the U.S. Students can submit original works in a wide range of categories, from painting and sculpture to poetry and journalism. Winning a Gold Key, Silver Key, or an Honorable Mention can provide significant recognition and exposure in the arts community, along with opportunities for scholarships and exhibitions.
Gold Key: The highest distinction at the regional level, a Gold Key award allows you to qualify for national recognition, with your work featured in regional exhibitions.
Silver Key: This is the second-most prestigious accolade at the regional level, awarded to works that exhibit notable creativity and skill.
Honorable Mention: This award highlights pieces that demonstrate strong potential and technical proficiency while standing out as intriguing.
American Voices Award and American Visions Award: Reserved for Gold Key recipients whose work best represents their region, these awards honor two individuals per region for their exceptional contributions.
Gold Key recipients are automatically entered for national-level awards, including the Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and scholarship opportunities. National winners may be eligible for scholarships up to $12,500!
6. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
Location: Regionals across the U.S.; National Championship rotates locations
Cost: Registration fees for one regional event are $6000. For additional regional events, it is $3000 per event. For the Championship, teams must pay $5750. There are varying fees for different district events, listed here
Competition Dates: Build season begins in January; Championships in April. Here is the full schedule of the 2024-2025 season.
Application Deadline: Varies by region. Refer to the schedule for opening dates for various competitions.
Eligibility: High school students; team-based competition
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges high school teams to design, build, and program industrial-sized robots to compete in a game-like challenge. FRC combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology, pushing students to develop engineering, programming, and teamwork skills.
The competition culminates in large regional and national events, where teams showcase their creations in front of judges and an enthusiastic audience. If you are interested, we’ve covered FIRST Robotics in detail, which you can check out here!
7. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Location: Columbus, Ohio, for finals
Cost: Free to apply, but costs may be associated with qualifying fairs. Finalists must pay $425, along with some fees for adults, additionally.
Competition Dates: Local and regional fairs begin in winter; ISEF finals are May 10-16, 2025
Application Deadline: Varies by regional fair
Eligibility: High school students who qualify through local and regional science fairs
ISEF is the world's largest international pre-college science competition, where students present independent research projects in a variety of STEM fields. Participants compete for scholarships, internships, and other awards by showcasing their work to a panel of judges from academia and industry.
This competition provides students with opportunities to present their research on a global stage and network with fellow young scientists. If you are interested in learning more, check out our blog that covers “Everything You Need to Know About ISEF Regeneron”.
8. National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament
Location: Varies annually; Nationals are typically held in a major U.S. city
Cost: Registration fees vary by region and event
Competition Dates: Regional qualifiers throughout the school year; Nationals in June
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: High school students who qualify through regional tournaments
The NSDA National Tournament is the largest academic competition in the world, where high school students compete in various speech and debate events. From Policy Debate and Lincoln-Douglas Debate to Dramatic Interpretation and Original Oratory, this competition tests students' public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking skills. The tournament attracts students interested in law, politics, communication, and related fields.
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Image Source - USABO Logo