William Patrick Day Essay Contest

At Collation every year, a $300 award (sometimes split into two awards of $150 each) is given to an outstanding essay by an English graduate student. Essays are judged by graduate students who have been nominated by the GEA. Any English graduate student who hasn't won the award in the past is eligible to enter.  Any essay that has been written in the past academic year for a course, or any work produced as part of a dissertation, is eligible. The prize is named in honor of Patrick Day, formerly a teacher and (both formerly and currently) a friend of Penn graduate students.

All submissions must be 25 pages or fewer (notes, works cited, and other appendices excluded). Your name should appear nowhere on the essay itself; instead, submit a separate cover sheet with your name and your essay title. 

Submit two hard copies of your essay to the GEA President by July 31. Results will be announced at Collation at the beginning of the fall semester.