Top 5 Global Competitions That Can Elevate Your College Application

To be a standout college applicant, you should not only focus on academic achievements and extracurricular activities, but you can also participate in global competitions to boost your chances. These international competitions will polish your skills and show the admission officers your dedication to excellence and global engagement. 

Whether it’s showcasing intellectual ability, creativity, or problem-solving skills, excelling in these competitions demonstrates a readiness for the challenges of university life. Here are the best global competitions you can join that transform your college application from standard to spectacular!

International Space Settlement Design Competition

Interested in majoring in something related to aerospace engineering? This is the competition for you! In the International Space Settlement Design Competition, student teams collaborate to create comprehensive designs for space settlements. This involves crafting a detailed 40-page proposal, which they present at the regional semi-finals in April. The competition is designed to closely mimic the real-world experience of working on a proposal team in the aerospace industry.

Eligibility

You can participate individually or as part of a team with fellow students. These are some of the basic requirements you need to fulfill to participate in this global competition: 

• Be in grades 8 through 12

• Not be older than 18 years old 

• Not be a college student

Stages

1. Qualifying: These designs are detailed in a 40-page proposal that you should submit in April and judged in May. Some regions use these for preliminary selection, with four finalist teams chosen for international qualifiers. 
2. Preliminary: In regions outside the U.S. and Canada, participation in specific projects or events might be required to qualify for the Regional Semi-Final. These may involve official SSDC scenarios.
3. Semi-finals: Each region globally selects its finalist team(s) through one or more Semi-Finals. These weekend events, traditionally in-person, involve students forming up to five “Companies” to develop designs and present them to judges. 
4. International Finals: The Finals involve 12-member winning teams from the Regional Semi-Finals, additional teams from the Qualifying round, and invited teams. They will compete at The Center for Space Education near NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
5. Tournaments: A parallel format has been developed in Brownsville, Texas, and nearby areas. Winners from these tournaments don't proceed to the ISSDC Finals. Still, a Tournament Finals process will be introduced as the format grows.

Conrad Challenge Global Competition

The Conrad Challenge offers high school students a unique opportunity to go through an entrepreneurial journey, inspiring them to design innovative solutions for pressing issues. This competition provides diverse categories, including aerospace & aviation, cyber-technology & security, energy & environment, and health & nutrition. Exceptional teams in each category earn the title of Conrad Innovators, and the best team will be crowned Pete Conrad Scholars. 

Eligibility

Here is the general requirement for participation, along with the team formation guidelines for the competition: 

• Students aged 13 to 18

• A team of 2-5 members

• Open to international applicants

• Previous competitors are welcome to re-participate (if they meet the criteria stated)

Stages

1. Activation Stage: You’ll embark on the Conrad Challenge by assembling a team of 2-5 students and a coach and completing your registration to set the foundation for your project.
2. Lean Canvas Stage: Your team will brainstorm innovative ideas, select an appropriate innovation and category for your project, and diligently prepare a Lean Canvas to plan your path strategically.
3. Innovation Stage: This stage is to bring the innovation to reality by writing an Innovation Brief, creatively recording an Innovation Video, and designing a website that effectively showcases your project.
4. Power Pitch Stages:  The top teams from the Innovation Stage, now Finalists, are invited to the 2024 Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit. Here, they can pitch their innovations to a live panel of judges and engage in dynamic workshops, networking sessions, and speaker events while competing for scholarships, entrepreneurial support, and the prestigious title of Pete Conrad Scholar.

World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC)

The World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) is a prestigious global debating tournament that brings together some of the best young debaters worldwide to discuss various issues. A fun fact: Indonesia has made notable achievements in WSDC, ranking 10th in recent competitions!

Eligibility

Here are the general requirements to participate: 

• Be between the ages of 14 and 18

• Not start undergraduate studies before mid-August of the championship year

• Not turn 20 before the grand final

• Not have graduated from high school

Stages

1. Regional/Local Competitions: High school debate teams compete in their countries or regions in these initial stages. The format and topics vary, but these competitions are crucial for honing skills and team selection.
2. Nationals: Here, the best teams from the regional competitions face off. The purpose is to identify the top debaters representing the country internationally. This stage is critical for assessing debating prowess and team dynamics.
3. International: The WSDC comprises several debates against teams from other countries. These rounds include prepared and impromptu discussions on various topics, testing teams' ability to argue effectively on diverse global issues.

FIRST Robotics Competition 

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school event where students team up to build and program robots to compete in complex, themed challenges. While Indonesia's participation in FRC is growing, teams from the country have begun to make their mark, showcasing ingenuity and technical skills in this global arena.

Eligibility

They have a variety of categories for students in different grades: 

• First State Jr. FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) – grades K to 3

• First State FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) – grades 4 to 8

• FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) – grades 7 to 12

• FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) – high school

Stages

1. Regional Competitions: These events are held in various locations worldwide and are the first level of competitive play. Teams compete in multiple matches to demonstrate their robot's capabilities and earn points.
2. District Championships: Teams that perform well in regional events advance to their district's championship. This stage offers higher competition and the chance to qualify for the world championship.
3. FIRST Championship: The season culminates in the FIRST Championship, a multi-day event that brings together the best teams worldwide. The championship includes high-intensity robotics matches and opportunities for teams to showcase their engineering and programming skills and engage with the broader FIRST community.

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

Math lovers, this competition is for you! The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is a prestigious annual competition that challenges the brightest high school students worldwide in advanced mathematics. It consists of two rigorous written tests, each with three complex mathematical problems, promoting mathematical creativity and problem-solving skills at an international level.

Eligibility

Here is the general requirement for participation:

• Studying in grades 1 to 12

• Studying in a school that is affiliated with a government-recognized educational board

Stages

1. National Level: This stage typically involves a series of math contests or exams in the local setting, progressively increasing in difficulty.
2. Team Formation: The top performers undergo rigorous training camps after national selections. Following this, a final team, usually six students, is selected to represent each participating country.
3. Worlds: The IMO consists of two days of examinations, each featuring a 4.5-hour session where students tackle three highly challenging mathematical problems.

Are you interested in participating in a global competition to leverage your university application? We at ALL-in Eduspace are ready to support you! 

Here’s what we can do for you:

1. Maximize your university entrance prep with Admission Mentoring.
2. Explore your interests and dive into different industries through Career Exploration.
3. Improve your grades and knowledge through Academic Tutoring.
4. Highlight your personal brand through the Writing Skills Improvement Program.

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