2007-08 High School Essay Contest

Creating a Green Neighborhood Plan

Contest Details and Guidelines

Eligibility

This contest is open to students who meet the following criteria: (1) are high school juniors or seniors during the 2007-08 academic year; (2) are enrolled in a public or private high school, in a high school equivalency program, or in a program of home schooling recognized by the local school system; and (3) are residents of the United States or a U.S. Territory, or who are U.S. citizens living abroad.

Award

The first place winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship to the college or university of his or her choice (the college or university must be located in the United States or in a U.S. Territory) and recognition on APA’s website and other media. The student must send proof of enrollment to the APA in the form of a tuition statement, at which time the check will be sent directly to the institution.

The winning student will also be invited to attend one of APA’s National Planning Conferences during the five-year period after he or she first matriculates at a college or university. APA will provide the student with a free registration and will reimburse travel expenses up to $1,000. For more information about the National Planning Conference, please visit www.planning.org/2008conference/.

Awards for honorable mention will be given to 10 contestants. Each honorable mention winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to the online bookstore, APA's PlanningBooks.com. Visit www.planningbooks.com to see what's for sale.

All winners will be notified by e-mail and regular mail no later than March 15, 2008.

Guidelines

Essays will be no less than 1,200 and no more than 1,500 words in length. Essays must be electronic or typed, double-spaced, in English, and the pages must be numbered. Word length does not include cover page, bibliography, or footnotes. Every essay must include a bibliography. In the bibliography, list any interviews, including the name of the person, their job title, the name of the agency or organization, and the date of the interview. You must have someone review your essay before your submit it to make sure it is complete and free from typographical and grammatical errors, and that it addresses the topic.

Submission Requirements

Students are required to submit a cover page that includes their contact information and information about their high school. The student is also responsible for getting a teacher or advisor to sign a statement verifying that the student attends the school indicated and, to the best of the adult’s knowledge, has written the essay being submitted (home-schooled students may ask a youth group leader, parent, or other adult to be a sponsor). APA will verify the endorsements of all semifinalists prior to making the final award determination.

APA encourages students to submit their application online by using an Internet connection at a home, school, or library. Please e-mail your submissions to essay@planning.org with the words “High School Essay Contest” in the subject line. Students must submit the cover page and essay as one attachment. Please title the document with your first and last name. If you do not have e-mail access, you may send your submission to: American Planning Association, Education Department, Attn: Essay Contest, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603. Mailed submissions must be postmarked on or before January 10, 2008. Electronic submissions must be received by January 15, 2008, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Please visit www.planning.org/institutions/hsessay.htm to locate all relevant documents.

Judging Guidelines

The essays submitted will be judged by Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners, members of APA’s elected leadership, and staff members of APA. Essays will be judged on the following:

Research and Analysis (one-third of score)
Creativity and Quality of the Development Proposal (one-third of score)
Writing Quality and Organization (one-third of score)