For Students

Eligibility for Anthem

8th – 12th GRADE

Entry Deadline

APRIL 28, 2022

• 1ST PLACE
  $2,000
  1 Winner
• 2ND PLACE
  $500
  3 Winners
• 3RD PLACE
  $100
  5 Winners
• FINALIST
  $50
  25 Winners
• SEMI-FINALIST
  $25
  50 Winners

BOOK SYNOPSIS

1. Anthem is Ayn Rand’s “hymn to man’s ego.” It is the story of one man’s rebellion against a totalitarian, collectivist society. Equality 7-2521 is a young man who yearns to understand “the Science of Things.” But he lives in a bleak, dystopian future where independent thought is a crime and where science and technology have regressed to primitive levels.

1. All expressions of individualism have been suppressed in the world of Anthem; personal possessions are nonexistent, individual preferences are condemned as sinful and romantic love is forbidden. Obedience to the collective is so deeply ingrained that the very word “I” has been erased from the language.

1. In pursuit of his quest for knowledge, Equality 7-2521 struggles to answer the questions that burn within him — questions that ultimately lead him to uncover the mystery behind his society’s downfall and to find the key to a future of freedom and progress.

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SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE TOPICS:

1. 1. In Anthem, Ayn Rand does not indicate the race of any of the characters, nor does she suggest that racial prejudice is present in the story. But are there other forms of prejudice in the society of Anthem? If so, against what or whom are they directed and why? In what ways are these forms of prejudice similar to or different from racial prejudice?
   2. Do you think that Equality 7-2521 is selfish? In your answer, give examples from the story that support your answer. In what ways is Equality’s approach to life and to the other characters in the story similar to or different from what we normally think of as “selfish”? What lessons do you draw from the story about what it means to pursue your own interests?
   3. Do you find Liberty 5-3000 to be an admirable character? In your answer, give examples from the story about her actions, attitude, or character that lead you to answer as you do. In what ways is Liberty similar to or different from other women whom we are taught to admire?

GRADING CRITERIA

1. Essays will be judged on whether the student is able to argue for and justify his or her view—not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophical meaning of Anthem.

RULES & REQUIREMENTS

1. • Contest is open to students worldwide, except where void or prohibited by law.
   • Entrant must be at least 13 years old and in 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade for any part of the school year in which the contest is held. The Ayn Rand Institute reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule, on a case-by-case basis, for international students or for students with nonstandard school years. Verification of school enrollment will be required for all winning entrants. If you or your child are under 13 and wish to participate, contact [email protected]
   • Essays must be submitted electronically through the online portal. If you are unable to submit an essay electronically contact us at [email protected]
   • Essays must be written in English only, and must be no fewer than 600 and no more than 1,200 words in length, double-spaced. Spelling errors and/or written corrections (by anyone) found on the essay will count against the final grade and should be omitted before submission.
   • One entry per student per contest.
   • Essays must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the entry deadline. The Ayn Rand Institute has the right to provide contest deadline extensions when deemed appropriate.
   • Essays must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification. Essays must not infringe on any third-party rights or intellectual property of any person, company or organization. By submitting an essay to this Contest, the entrant agrees to indemnify the Ayn Rand Institute for any claim, demand, judgment or other allegation arising from possible violation of someone’s trademark, copyright or other legally protected interest in any way in the entrant’s essay.
   • Decisions of the judges are final.
   • Employees of the Ayn Rand Institute, its board of directors and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. Past first-place winners are not eligible for this contest.
   • All entries become the property of the Ayn Rand Institute and will not be returned.
   • All participants will be notified of the results via email by August, 2022.
   • Winners are responsible for providing their mailing addresses and other necessary information under the law in order to receive any prizes. Prizes must be claimed within six months of the results being announced.
   • Winners agree to allow the Ayn Rand Institute to post their names on any of ARI’s affiliated websites. The first-place essay may be posted in its entirety on any of these websites with full credit given to the author.
   • Winners consent to participate in interviews and allow the Ayn Rand Institute to use quotes and take photographs, movies or videotapes of them.
   • Winners also grant to The Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism the right to edit, use and reuse said products for non-profit purposes including use in print, on the internet and all other forms of media.
   • Winners release the Ayn Rand Institute and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever regarding the above.
   • Winners will be solely responsible for any federal, state or local taxes.

   Protected by IThenticate Plagiarism Detection Software

ADVICE ON YOUR ESSAY SUBMISSION

1. Other than endorsing perfect punctuation and grammar in English, the Ayn Rand Institute offers no advice or feedback on contest essays. The following links are recommended to improve your essay content:

1. 1. • Anthem discussion series
      • Anthem ARI Campus Course
      • The Art of Nonfiction by Ayn Rand
      • Objective Communication by Leonard Peikoff
      • “Principles of Grammar” by Leonard Peikoff
      • “Writing Objectively” by Keith Lockitch
      • The Writing Skills section of the Ayn Rand eStore

The application window for the 2022 contest is not currently open. Please return in late-July for more details.

Eligibility for The Fountainhead

11th and 12th GRADE

Entry Deadline

APRIL 28, 2022

• 1ST PLACE
  $5,000
  1 Winner
• 2ND PLACE
  $1,250
  3 Winners
• 3RD PLACE
  $250
  5 Winners
• FINALIST
  $100
  25 Winners
• SEMI-FINALIST
  $25
  50 Winners

BOOK SYNOPSIS

1. In her first notes for The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand describes its purpose as “a defense of egoism in its real meaning . . . a new definition of egoism and its living example.” She later states its theme as “individualism versus collectivism, not in politics, but in man’s soul; the psychological motivations and the basic premises that produce the character of an individualist or a collectivist.”

1. The “living example” of egoism is Howard Roark, “an architect and innovator, who breaks with tradition, [and] recognizes no authority but that of his own independent judgment.” Roark’s individualism is contrasted with the spiritual collectivism of many of the other characters, who are variations on the theme of “second-handedness” — thinking, acting and living second-hand.

1. Roark struggles to endure not merely professional rejection, but also the enmity of Ellsworth Toohey, beloved humanitarian and leading architectural critic; of Gail Wynand, powerful publisher; and of Dominique Francon, the beautiful columnist who loves him fervently yet is bent on destroying his career.

1. The Fountainhead earned Rand a lasting reputation as one of history’s greatest champions of individualism.

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SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE TOPICS:

1. 1. Howard Roark says to Gail Wynand: “Look at everyone around us. You’ve wondered why they suffer, why they seek happiness and never find it. If any man stopped and asked himself whether he’s ever held a truly personal desire, he’d find the answer. . . . He can’t say about a single thing: ‘This is what I wanted because I wanted it, not because it made my neighbors gape at me.’ . . . The things which are sacred or precious to us are the things we withdraw from promiscuous sharing. But now we are taught to throw everything within us into public light and common pawing.” In light of this view, what do you think Roark would make of people’s behavior today on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram? Give examples of what he might approve or disapprove of. Would you agree or disagree with his evaluation? Explain your position.
   2. After the death of Lucius Heyer, Keating tells himself: “He had nothing to regret; he had done what anyone would have done; Catherine had said it, he was selfish; everybody was selfish; it was not a pretty thing, to be selfish, but he was not alone in it.” What do you think is motivating Keating to tell himself this at this point in the story? What does The Fountainhead have to say about whether what he’s saying is true? Do you agree? Why or why not?
   3. Dominique says to Alvah Scarret: “I take the only desire one can really permit oneself. Freedom, Alvah, freedom. . . . To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing.” What does Dominique mean by this, and how does she act on her view over the course of the novel? What is Dominique’s perspective on this kind of “freedom” at the end of the novel, and why?

GRADING CRITERIA

1. Essays will be judged on whether the student is able to argue for and justify his or her view—not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophical meaning of The Fountainhead.

RULES & REQUIREMENTS

1. • Contest is open to students worldwide, except where void or prohibited by law.
   • Entrant must be in 11th or 12th grade for any part of the school year in which the contest is held. The Ayn Rand Institute reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule, on a case-by-case basis, for international students or for students with nonstandard school years. Verification of school enrollment will be required for all winning entrants.
   • Essays must be submitted electronically through the online portal. If you are unable to submit an essay electronically contact us at [email protected]
   • Essays must be written in English only, and must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length, double-spaced. Spelling errors and/or written corrections (by anyone) found on the essay will count against the final grade and should be omitted before submission.
   • One entry per student per contest.
   • Essays must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the entry deadline. The Ayn Rand Institute has the right to provide contest deadline extensions when deemed appropriate.
   • Essays must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification. Essays must not infringe on any third-party rights or intellectual property of any person, company or organization. By submitting an essay to this Contest, the entrant agrees to indemnify the Ayn Rand Institute for any claim, demand, judgment or other allegation arising from possible violation of someone’s trademark, copyright or other legally protected interest in any way in the entrant’s essay.
   • Decisions of the judges are final.
   • Employees of the Ayn Rand Institute, its board of directors and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. Past first-place winners are not eligible for this contest.
   • All entries become the property of the Ayn Rand Institute and will not be returned.
   • All participants will be notified of the results via email by August, 2022.
   • Winners are responsible for providing their mailing addresses and other necessary information under the law in order to receive any prizes. Prizes must be claimed within six months of the results being announced.
   • Winners agree to allow the Ayn Rand Institute to post their names on any of ARI’s affiliated websites. The first-place essay may be posted in its entirety on any of these websites with full credit given to the author.
   • Winners consent to participate in interviews and allow the Ayn Rand Institute to use quotes and take photographs, movies or videotapes of them.
   • Winners also grant to The Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism the right to edit, use and reuse said products for non-profit purposes including use in print, on the internet and all other forms of media.
   • Winners release the Ayn Rand Institute and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever regarding the above.
   • Winners will be solely responsible for any federal, state or local taxes.

   Protected by IThenticate Plagiarism Detection Software

ADVICE ON YOUR ESSAY SUBMISSION

1. Other than endorsing perfect punctuation and grammar in English, the Ayn Rand Institute offers no advice or feedback on contest essays. The following links are recommended to improve your essay content:

1. 1. • The Fountainhead discussion series
      • The Fountainhead ARI Campus Course
      • The Art of Nonfiction by Ayn Rand
      • Objective Communication by Leonard Peikoff
      • “Principles of Grammar” by Leonard Peikoff
      • “Writing Objectively” by Keith Lockitch
      • The Writing Skills section of the Ayn Rand eStore

The application window for the 2022 contest is not currently open. Please return in late-July for more details.

Eligibility for Atlas Shrugged

12th-Graders, College Undergraduates and Graduate Students

Entry Deadline:

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

• 1ST PLACE
  $10,000
  1 Winner
• 2ND PLACE
  $2,500
  3 Winners
• 3RD PLACE
  $500
  5 Winners

SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY

BOOK SYNOPSIS

1. The country’s top banker — a leading oil producer — a once-revered professor — an acclaimed composer — a distinguished judge. All vanish without explanation and without trace.

1. A copper magnate becomes a worthless playboy.A philosopher-turned-pirate is rumored to roam the seas. The remnants of a brilliant invention are left as scrap in an abandoned factory.

1. What is happening to the world? Why does it seem to be in a state of decay? Can it be saved — and how?

1. Atlas Shrugged “is a mystery story, not about the murder of a man’s body, but about the murder — and rebirth — of man’s spirit.”

1. Follow along as industrialist Hank Rearden and railroad executive Dagny Taggart struggle to keep the country afloat and unravel the mysteries that confront them.

1. Discover why, at every turn, they are met with public opposition and new government roadblocks, taxes and controls — and with the disappearance of the nation’s most competent men and women.

1. Will Hank and Dagny succeed in saving the country — and will they discover the answer to the question “Who is John Galt?”

Learn More    Request a FREE eBook

SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE TOPICS:

1. 1. In Atlas Shrugged, the society’s leaders enact a series of laws and directives (the Equalization of Opportunity Bill, Mouch’s directives about the railroads of Colorado, Directive 10-289, etc.) that exercise increasingly arbitrary power. Describe one example of a major recent government policy decision in your country that resembles one of the edicts in Atlas Shrugged. How has this decision been justified by today’s leaders, and how do their claims resemble those given in Atlas Shrugged? In light of the story, what do you think Ayn Rand would expect to be the consequences of the policy you’ve described? Do you agree with her? Explain your answers.
   2. Francisco d’Anconia presents himself as a playboy who has abandoned serious concern for his family’s business. But early in the story Dagny realizes that Francisco’s public persona does not fit the man she knows. Compare Francisco to another major figure in film, TV, or literature who adopts a similar double life to accomplish his purposes. How is he similar? How, in terms of his motives and methods, is he different? What kind of purpose could make the price of leading a
      double life like this worth paying? Explain your answers.
   3. After quitting her job, Dagny thinks to herself: “It is not proper for man’s life to be a circle . . . or a string of circles dropping off like zeros behind him—man’s life must be a straight line of motion from goal to farther goal, each leading to the next and to a single growing sum, like a journey down the track of a railroad, from station to station to—oh, stop it!” How do Dagny’s thoughts here relate to the wider dilemma she faces at this point in the story? How does her dilemma relate to the wider themes of the novel? Explain your answers.

GRADING CRITERIA

1. Essays will be judged on whether the student is able to argue for and justify his or her view—not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophical meaning of Atlas Shrugged.

RULES & REQUIREMENTS

1. • Contest is open to students worldwide, except where void or prohibited by law.
   • Entrant must be a 12th grade, undergraduate, or graduate student for any part of the school year in which the contest is held. The Ayn Rand Institute reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule, on a case-by-case basis, for international students or for students with nonstandard school years. Verification of school enrollment will be required for all winning entrants.
   • Essays must be submitted electronically through the online portal. If you are unable to submit an essay electronically contact us at [email protected]
   • Essays must be written in English only, and must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length, double-spaced. Spelling errors and/or written corrections (by anyone) found on the essay will count against the final grade and should be omitted before submission.
   • One entry per student per contest.
   • Essays must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the entry deadline. The Ayn Rand Institute has the right to provide contest deadline extensions when deemed appropriate.
   • Essays must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification. Essays must not infringe on any third-party rights or intellectual property of any person, company or organization. By submitting an essay to this Contest, the entrant agrees to indemnify the Ayn Rand Institute for any claim, demand, judgment or other allegation arising from possible violation of someone’s trademark, copyright or other legally protected interest in any way in the entrant’s essay.
   • Decisions of the judges are final.
   • Employees of the Ayn Rand Institute, its board of directors and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. Past first-place winners are not eligible for this contest.
   • All entries become the property of the Ayn Rand Institute and will not be returned.
   • All participants will be notified of the results via email by January, 2022.
   • Winners are responsible for providing their mailing addresses and other necessary information under the law in order to receive any prizes. Prizes must be claimed within six months of the results being announced.
   • Winners agree to allow the Ayn Rand Institute to post their names on any of ARI’s affiliated websites. The first-place essay may be posted in its entirety on any of these websites with full credit given to the author
   • Winners consent to participate in interviews and allow the Ayn Rand Institute to use quotes and take photographs, movies or videotapes of them.
   • Winners also grant to The Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism the right to edit, use and reuse said products for non-profit purposes including use in print, on the internet and all other forms of media.
   • Winners release the Ayn Rand Institute and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever regarding the above.
   • Winners will be solely responsible for any federal, state or local taxes.

   Protected by IThenticate Plagiarism Detection Software

ADVICE ON YOUR ESSAY SUBMISSION

1. Other than endorsing perfect punctuation and grammar in English, the Ayn Rand Institute offers no advice or feedback on contest essays. The following links are recommended to improve your essay content:

1. 1. • The Atlas Project Facebook Group
      • The Art of Nonfiction by Ayn Rand
      • Objective Communication by Leonard Peikoff
      • “Principles of Grammar” by Leonard Peikoff
      • “Writing Objectively” by Keith Lockitch
      • The Writing Skills section of the Ayn Rand eStore

SUBMISSION PROCESS

1. 1. Click “Submit your essay” below.
   2. This will redirect you to our online application portal. Once there, click “Apply.”
   3. Either create a new account or login using your existing username and password.
   4. Once logged in, complete the application forms and upload your essay.
   5. When you have completed each of the tasks for the contest, click “Submit.”

    

   SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY

1. Entrants are responsible for keeping copies of their essays, as duplicate copies will not be provided. If you have difficulty submitting your essay electronically, or if you have not received an email notification confirming receipt of your submitted essay within 24 hours, please email us at [email protected].

1ST PLACE

GEORGIA MIRICA
American International School of Bucharest
Voluntari, Bucharest, Romania

Read the Winning Essay     All Student Winners

1ST PLACE

ASHLEY YUEN
Irvine High School
Irvine, CA, United States

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1ST PLACE

CORA USURELU
Thornhill Secondary School
Thornhill, ON, Canada

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1ST PLACE

NATHANIEL SHIPPEE
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL, United States

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1ST PLACE

MADELEINE PRESCOTT
Technical Senior High School
Saint Cloud, MN, United States

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1ST PLACE

CYNTHIA LU
Belmont High School
Belmont, MA, United States

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1ST PLACE

JITAE YOU
Shepherd International Education
Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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1ST PLACE

SAM WEAVER
St. John’s College
Annapolis, MD, United States

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1ST PLACE

KATRICE WASGATT
Towle Institute
Hockessin, DE, United States

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1ST PLACE

LUCAS PRINGLE
Repton School
Repton, England

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1ST PLACE

PATRICK MAYLES
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Bogota, Colombia

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1ST PLACE

ELISABETH SCHLOSSEL
The Spence School
New York City, NY, United States

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1ST PLACE

ADELINA FENDRINA
High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics “Dobri Chintulov”
Sliven, Bulgaria

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1ST PLACE

CHRISTINA JEONG
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN, United States

Read the Winning Essay     All Student Winners