Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - National Student Poets Program vs YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions

Comparing two elite arts opportunities. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - National Student Poets Program is a award while YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions is a competition.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - National Student Poets Program YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions
Prestige Tier Tier 1 — Elite Tier 1 — Elite
Type Award Competition
Organization Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Young Concert Artists (YCA)
Acceptance Rate Extremely competitive; exact percentage unknown but estimated <0.5% at national level. Approximately 150,000-200,000+ entries across all Scholastic categories annually; poetry is one category among many visual/literary arts. Approximately 1.5-2% (3-4 winners selected from 200+ applicants annually; with Laureate prizes, ~6-7 finalists recognized out of 200+)
Applicants Specific number for poetry category not publicly available; Scholastic total submissions estimated at 150,000+ annually across all disciplines and regions 200+ applicants per year (2025 had 200+ applicants)
Deadline Rolling
Cost to Apply Free $0
US Only Yes No / International
Grades Grades 7-12 (high school and middle school students) High school seniors through post-college age musicians
College Impact National Student Poet selection is exceptionally prestigious for college admissions. Ivy League and top universities view this as one of the highest honors a young writer can achieve - equivalent to r... Winning YCA Jacobs Fellowship is EXTREMELY prestigious for college admissions. Judges view this as: (1) Proof of elite-level musicianship at professional standard before/during college; (2) Demonstrat...