• Entrants must be full-time students in the U.S., in an accredited institution.

• There are three categories: middle school, high school, and college.

• Middle school is defined as grades 6 to 8 and high school as grades 9 to 12 (during the ’96-’97 school year). College and university students can be in undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral studies. Maximum age for entrants in the college level is 25 years.

• The competition is open to all students, independent of ethnic origin.

• Entries must be postmarked by Dec 31, 1997 and submitted by first-class mail (Note: this is an extension of a previously published July 1, 1997 deadline).

• Essays should be typed and single-spaced. Font can be of any standard type and size. The essay is limited to 2500 words, or about 3-5 pages (the length of the essay is not critical - make your emphasis on quality rather than quantity).

• The name or any other identifying information about the contestant should NOT appear on the essay pages. All identifying information should appear on the cover page only (see below).

• More than one entry can be submitted by the same author. Each entry must contain a cover page.

• If reference sources are used, they should be appropriately cited in the text, or as a separate page entitled "References."

• Include your name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address (if available), age, grade/year of study, and name of the institution where you are enrolled.

• The question or topic to be addressed should also be included on the cover page.

• Include a statement acknowledging that the essay is the author’s original work. This statement should be signed by the author.

• Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges based on various criteria including but not limited to: content, clarity, organization, creativity, and sincerity. The decision of the judges is final and cannot be appealed. The judges reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not conform to these rules.

• Essays will not be returned and will become the property of FF ‘97 and may be used in future publications by the FF ’97 committee (with appropriate credit to the author).

• Winning entrants may be required to provide a diskette and a passport size photo at a later date.

The Essay Topics

Questions or Comments? E-mail: essay@freeindia.org

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