Frequently Asked Questions

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I have never entered an essay competition before. Can I still enter?

Absolutely. WorldSEAM was built specifically for students who have never had access to this kind of opportunity. You do not need any prior experience. If you have something to say, you can enter.

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Do I need to prove my age to enter? No. You do not need to provide any age verification when you register. If you are selected as a winner, you will be asked to provide simple proof of your age and school enrolment — such as a school ID or a letter from your school — before your award is confirmed. This is a standard process and takes only a few minutes.

 

My school is not well-known?

Does that affect my chances? No. All essays are judged anonymously. Judges do not know your name, your school, or your country. Your essay is judged purely on what it says and how well it argues. A student from a small school in a rural area has exactly the same chance as a student from an elite school in a major city.

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I am not sure my English is good enough. Can I still enter?

Yes. WorldSEAM is one of the only international competitions that allows you to write in your native language. Write your essay in the language you think best in, then submit an English translation alongside it. The ideas matter more than perfect English.

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What is the essay prompt?

The current prompt is posted on the Home page and the Register page at the start of every cycle. You must answer the specific question set for that cycle.

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How long does the essay have to be?

Between 800 and 1,500 words. This does not include your bibliography or citations.

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Can I write in my own language?

Yes. Write in your native language and submit an English translation alongside your essay. The translation must carry your meaning — not just your words. You may use translation tools to help but the ideas and argument must be entirely your own.

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Can I use AI tools to write my essay?

No. AI-generated writing is not permitted at any stage. You may use AI tools for grammar checking only. If your essay is found to be AI-generated you will be permanently disqualified.

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Can I submit an essay I wrote for school or another competition?

 

No. Your essay must be original work written specifically for WorldSEAM and not previously published or submitted anywhere else.

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My name must not appear in the essay — why?

All essays are judged anonymously. This means judges have no idea who you are, where you are from, or what school you attend. This makes the judging completely fair.

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How do I enter?

Fill in the registration form on the Register page. You will receive a confirmation email with your reference number. Then email your essay to the competition email address using your reference number as the subject line.

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I submitted the form but did not receive a confirmation email.

What do I do? Check your spam or junk folder first. If it is not there, contact us at [competition email] with your full name and the email address you registered with.

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Can I enter if my school is not on your schools list?

Yes. The schools list is just our outreach list. Any student enrolled in any secondary school anywhere in the world can enter — whether their school is on our list or not.

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Can I enter without my school knowing?

Yes. Registration is individual. You do not need your school's permission to enter. However we recommend letting a teacher know as they may be able to support you.

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I do not have a printer or a school computer. Can I still enter?

Yes. Everything is done online. You register on the website, write your essay on any device, and email it in. You do not need to print anything.

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How will I know if I won?

If you are selected as a Regional or Global Winner we will contact you directly by email at the address you registered with. Check your spam folder regularly after the results date.

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When are results announced?

Regional cycle results are announced within two weeks of the cycle closing. The Global Winner is announced every four months. Dates are posted on the Home page.

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What do I win?

Regional Winners receive an official physical certificate mailed to their home or school anywhere in the world. The Global Winner receives a cash award plus a physical certificate. Every student who submits a valid essay receives a digital Certificate of Participation by email.

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How is my certificate delivered?

If you win we will contact you by email and ask whether you want your certificate mailed to your home address or your school. We mail to any country in the world at no cost to you.

I live in a country where international mail is unreliable. What happens?

Contact us when we notify you of your win and we will work out the best delivery option for your country. We will always find a way to get your certificate to you.

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How do I know the judging is fair?

All essays are submitted without names, school names, or countries. Judges score each essay against the same six criteria. No judge knows anything about the student behind the essay. The scoring system is published on the Judging page so you can see exactly how your essay will be assessed before you write it.

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Is WorldSEAM a real competition?

Yes. WorldSEAM is a registered initiative founded by a student with the specific mission of giving every high school student in the world access to a global platform. Our competition rules, judging criteria, and prize structure are all published on this website.

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Is there any cost to enter? No.

Entry is completely open to all students at no cost.

My country has internet restrictions. Can I still access the website and submit? The website and submission process are designed to work on basic internet connections. If you experience any difficulty accessing the site or submitting your essay contact us at [competition email] and we will find an alternative way to receive your entry.

Still have a question? Contact us at [competition email] and we will reply within 48 hours