Calling all high school and college students!
For decades, Thomas Sowell has taught and inspired students with his signature wit, razor-sharp intellect, and depth of insight across the many subjects of his research. To honor and extend this legacy, the Hoover Institution proudly announces the 2025 Thomas Sowell Essay Contest, open to all high school and college undergraduate students.
Tell us how Thomas Sowell has changed your life, or apply your passion for Sowell’s ideas to an important current issue in public policy or culture.
Students: We want to hear from you! Dive into the works and wisdom of Thomas Sowell and share your original thoughts with us, for a chance to win a $5,000 cash prize, have Hoover amplify your ideas, and attend an upcoming celebration of Thomas Sowell at the Hoover Institution on the campus of Stanford University.
Check out the full contest rules and guidelines below.
Contest Details
Prompts:
A) How have Thomas Sowell’s ideas changed your view of the world? With references to Sowell’s publications or public speeches and appearances, please explain how your own views have evolved on an important cultural or public policy issue of your choice.
Or:
B) What is a current cultural or public policy issue that could be improved by a better public understanding or policy application of Thomas Sowell’s ideas? With references to Sowell’s publications or public speeches and appearances, please explain how his ideas, if better understood or implemented, would improve the issue you’ve selected.
At the top of your document, please indicate which prompt you are responding to.
Eligibility:
The essay contest is open only to currently enrolled high school and college or university (undergraduate) students. International students in grades equivalent to US high school grades 9-12 are welcome to apply, as are foreign college or university undergraduates. All essays must be submitted in the English language.
While international applicants are welcome, the Hoover Institution cannot assist with obtaining visas or arranging travel for foreign residents/citizens in the event they are selected as winners and invited to attend the upcoming celebration of Thomas Sowell at the Hoover Institution.
Deadline:
Please submit your essay by 11:59pm Pacific Time on August 31, 2025. No submissions will be accepted after this deadline.
Submitting Your Essay:
Please submit your essay via the AwardForce platform.
https://sowellessaycontest.awardsplatform.com
Word Limit:
Maximum 1,500 words. Full details below.
Rules and Guidelines:
Plagiarism and AI—IMPORTANT: All essays must be a wholly original written work with proper citations and attributions for all references and quotations (see more in “References” below). Any form of plagiarism, intentional or otherwise, will result in an immediate disqualification of your entry from this contest. Any use of artificial intelligence programs to write or draft your essay is strictly prohibited. You are allowed to consult with AI tools for research (so long as you use the research to write original essay text yourself, and properly cite the research) or to assist with a spelling and grammar check of your own original writing.
Submission: Please submit a single essay as a Microsoft Word file (doc or docx file type). Please do not include your name within your submitted essay file (either in the file name or within the document). We will match your essay to your contest entry form submission using the title of your essay—please ensure a perfect match between your titles on the submission form and within your Word document.
Word Count Limit: There is a strict word count maximum of 1,500 words for the essay, including its title; essays exceeding this limit will be disqualified. Text within the References section of your document (everything after your “References” heading) does not count toward your allotted total word count. References in footnotes will not count toward your word limit. However, substantive remarks included as footnotes will be included in your total word count.
Font and Format: Please use a standard, easily legible typeface and 12pt font size. Please single space your essay text and use standard margins (1-inch top, bottom, and side).
References: After the text, under a “References” heading, include works cited, using your choice of a single standard format (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). Please recognize that competitive essays will employ citations effectively and therefore sparingly. All sources and citations within your essay should logically connect to your argument.
Writing Tips: Your audience of contest judges has a wide range of backgrounds, so avoid using jargon; however, please draw on analytical approaches from economics, history, political science, international relations, or other public policy disciplines. We prefer shorter paragraphs (around 4 sentences) to longer ones.
Contest Judging:
Essays will be judged by the following weighted criteria:
- Effectiveness and originality of the narrative or argument presented: 25%
- Demonstrated depth of engagement with Thomas Sowell’s work and ideas: 30%
- Quality and style of the writing submitted: 20%
- Alignment of your essay with Thomas Sowell’s thought and the mission of the Hoover Institution: 25%
Judging will be conducted by representatives of the Hoover Institution. Judges may include Hoover Institution fellows, research assistants, or staff. All judging will be blind; judges will not know the name or other personal details of the authors of essays they are reading and evaluating.
Contest Prize:
Winners of the essay competition will be notified by the Hoover Institution via the email address you provide within your contest entry. The contest winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000. Winners will also be invited to attend an upcoming celebration of Thomas Sowell at the Hoover Institution in California, with their personal travel and lodging expenses covered, and will receive public promotion of their essay by Hoover social media accounts. The Hoover Institution cannot provide any travel planning or international travel assistance for contest winners.
