START Diversity Essay Contest Details

Eligibility, Criteria, Timeline and other details to submit an entry for the START Essay Contest

2025 START Essay Question:

Reflect on a significant experience you’ve had with diversity and inclusion, whether it was challenging or enlightening. What did you learn from this experience, and how did it contribute to your personal growth?

Disclaimer:  Please note that the use of plagiarism is a violation of the Smeal Honor Code. This includes not using ChatGPT. Please use your own thoughts and ideas to formulate an effective submission.

Eligibility

You must be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled at any Penn State campus to submit a submission for consideration in the START Essay Contest.

Criteria

Your submission must meet the following criteria: 

  • Must be a written expression i.e., essay, poem, or story 
  • Cover page MUST include: title of paper, student name, major, semester standing, and Penn State email address 
  • 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, one-inch margins in a pdf format
  • Written expressions are to be no longer than 5 pages 
  • No group submissions allowed 
  • Students may only enter the contest one time 
  • Submissions must use a Penn State email address (xyz1234@psu.edu). In addition, please note how you heard about the START Essay Contest. Otherwise, the submission will not be accepted. 
  • If chosen as a finalist, presentations must last between 4-7 minutes. Winners will be recognized and are required to present their submission at the START Conference on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025
  • Submissions must be submitted to Pauline Hough at pqh101@psu.edu by Monday, January 13th, 2025, by 5:00pm EST

Criteria for Judging

  • Quality of writing
  • Relevance of topic
  • Creative expression
  • Adherence to guidelines

Timeline

  • After the submission deadline, the student committee will select a slate of finalists according to the criteria set forth.
  • These finalists will be contacted via email to schedule a time to present their work to the START Conference Committee. The winners will be selected from this round and invited to present at the START Conference. 
  • Contestants will present their submissions after the lunch keynote speaker in random order. They will not be told where they place until all three presentations are completed. At that time, contestants will be presented with their awards.

Judging

Members of the START Committee will select the finalists and winners. The Committee includes undergraduate students from first year to senior standing, many but not all pursuing a major in the Smeal College of Business, in addition to the graduate assistants in the Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs.

Awards

  • First place -      $3,500
  • Second place - $2,500
  • Third place -   $1,500