2025 Mandell Awards for
Penn Student Publications

The Samuel P. and Ida S. Mandell Undergraduate Essay Contest rewards excellence in student writing with prizes for publication of an Outstanding Research-Based Public Editorial by an Undergraduate Student. The contest promotes and awards successful transfer of scholarly research to nonacademic contexts, honoring exceptional contributions to public discourse by Penn students.

The Samuel P. and Ida S. Mandell Undergraduate Essay Contest recognizes outstanding student writing produced or initiated in a Penn Writing Seminar, particularly writing that has achieved some form of public distinction. Public distinction can include print or digital publication of the work in a professionally-produced newspaper, magazine, or blog; incorporation of the work into a longer-term research project published in a professionally edited venue; or writing that is of use to a community group or nonprofit organization.

Eligibility Criteria

Submissions must be selected and edited by a veritable and professional editorial board or process;
Submissions published in an undergraduate journal also qualify for entry;
Submissions must have been published after January 1, 2024.

Prizes

Prizes for work produced or initiated in a Critical Writing Seminar are $750 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for honorable mention.

2025 Deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM.