The McKinney Writing Contest is Rensselaer's writing competition for undergraduate and graduate students. All enrolled students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities that the competition affords. You may win one or more of the prizes across a range of different categories (see below). Prizes are $300 for first prize, $175 for second prize, and $75 for third prize. However, some prizes may not be awarded at the discretion of the judges depending on the quality of the submissions. Occasionally, when the quality of entries warrants it, honorable mentions will be awarded. If you win a prize, you may put the prize on your resumé, which has been known to increase employment prospects. Even if you do not win a prize, you will gain practice in writing that will help you to develop a valued capability in your respective profession. Start the process now by looking at the submission guidelines.
Entries will be accepted in undergraduate and graduate divisions in each of the following categories.
Categories
A single short story/graphic short story, personal essay/graphic essay, chapter from a novel or memoir, or a one-act play/screenplay
A group of poems or a single poem from each entrant.
An academic essay or research paper written for a class or independent study. This must include proper citations and bibliography or works cited page.
“Writing for Social Change” reflects the Department of Communication and Media’s emphasis on language as a primary vehicle for the work of democracy, social justice, and equity. The contest judges are looking for creative work that enacts the personal as political, that is rebellious at heart, and that seeks to interrogate injustice and inequity while celebrating diversity and resilience. Submit autofiction/autobiographical drama, poetry, creative nonfiction, or spoken word exploring issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This category is open only to undergraduate students at this time.
This category asks for any artistic visualization using words as a dominant element to convey a story, message, or experience. Fiction, drama, poetry, creative nonfiction, and essays using electronic mixed media are encouraged, as are all forms of visual communication that emphasize words in 2-d, 3-d, or 4-d. Examples include interactive narratives, motion graphics, audio-visual art, games, animations, net art, storybooks, comics, and writing that incorporates photographs or illustrations—handmade art or prints may be scanned and submitted as a digital file.