Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Entries should be from publications published in English, and may be submitted by student writers, reporters, editors, artists, cartoonists, designers or photographers. Entries from colleges are judged separately from those of senior high schools. Separate awards are given for each category in each of the two divisions.

What is the period of eligibility?

Entries must have been published in a student magazine, newspaper or yearbook at any time from November 2, 2007 through October 31, 2008. Video entries must have been orginally broadcast during this same period.

When and how are winners announced?

CSPA dates its awards by the year in which they are given.

Winning entries from secondary schools will be announced at the 85^th Annual Scholastic Convention of the Association from March 18-20, 2009 at Columbia University in the City of New York. From colleges and universities will be announced at the Spring National College Media Convention on March 2009.

Awards will be announced and presented then, so they will be described as Gold Circle Awards for 2009.

No materials submitted for judging will be returned.

Which categories do we enter?

1. Enter as many individual entries in as many categories as you wish.

2. Select the category or categories you wish to enter and submit the total number of required materials. Carefully read the application form, entry rules and materials required (listed under Gold Circle Categories).

3. Entries that do not meet entry requirements will not be eligible for competition and will not be returned.

Can I send photocopies?

No, photocopies will be disqualified. All entries must be original tearsheets, clippings or pages from the printed publication or video that was broadcast.

How do verbal entries differ from visual ones?

Some categories are intended to judge verbal skills such as writing and editing. They require entries to be evaluated as a single entity, distinct from other elements published on that or related pages.

Other categories evaluate visual components of publishing such as design, art and photo accomplishment. These categories may need one or more full pages for the judges to consider as a structured unit.

Therefore, all categories have been designated either verbal or visual categories for the purpose of preparing entries for judging.

Verbal categories require single entries to be mounted on one or more sheets of letter-size paper. Visual categories require one or more full-size original pages, as published in the student magazine, newspaper or yearbook.

How do we prepare printed entries for mailing?

1. Verbal categories. Mount each of these entries individually on plain white paper, 8 ¹/₂" x 11" in size. (No paper clips or staples, please). Multiple-page entries: Tape mounted entries and accordion-fold.If printed on both sides of a sheet, mount each side separately, as two pages. Do not submit tearsheets or full pages for verbal categories.
2. Visual categories. Submit full page or pages, as stipulated in the category description. No partial pages, veloxes or proofs will be accepted for judging. Submit only unmounted tearsheets. Do not submit original artwork. Multiple page entries may be taped in series as they appear in the publication, and accordion-folded as shown above.

3. For all categories (both verbal and visual entries): Entry blanks should be securely taped to the reverse of the actual entry in the upper left-hand corner.

Make as many clear photocopies of the Entry Form as needed. Each entry in each category needs a separate entry form filled out and taped to the back.

Please complete the entry form neatly: use a typewriter or print clearly with ink.

How do we prepare video entries for mailing?

Video entries must be on standard ¹/₂ inch VHS format or DVD disc, one entry per video category. Entry forms should be folded in half, facing out, and taped to the videotape/DVD disc container. In addition, videotape/DVD disc label on the tape should have the name of school and category number. No tapes/DVDs will be returned.

How do we pay for our entry fees?

If your student publication is a member of the CSPA, the first 40 entries are free. After the 41^st, you pay $7.50 per entry.Non-members must pay $15 per entry. Fees cover processing and judging expenses and are not refundable. Enclose Payment Form with a check or money order for the entry fee. One check should be submitted for multiple entries. Please do not send cash. Purchase orders from schools or colleges are acceptable for amounts of $25 or more.

What if we enter the wrong category?

If, in the opinion of the judges, entries have been entered in the wrong category, they will be redirected to the correct category. This does not apply to entries with incompletely filled-out entry forms. We will make reasonable efforts to include each entry in its proper category but we cannot be responsible for illegible handwriting, insufficient information, or incomplete or missing materials.

Do winning entries get published or viewed?

Some of the entries may be selected for reprinting in the Association's e-zine, Student Press Review, or other CSPA publications either electronically or in printed form as examples of superior student achievement.

Where do we send entries?

We have two separate addresses to receive your entries.

If using the United States Postal Service, (this includes Library Rate, Priority Mail or Express Mail) then include entry forms, payments and all supporting materials and address package:
CSPA
Gold Circle Awards
Columbia University
Mail Code 5711
New York, NY 10027-6902

If using a courier service (this includes FedEx, United Parcel Services, DO NOT send US mail to this address), then include entry forms, payments and all supporting materials and address package:
CSPA
Gold Circle Awards
90 Morningside Drive-basement
New York, NY 10027

Make checks payable in U.S. funds to Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
If you wish a receipt of your entry, use either Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested or send a stamped, self-addressed postcard enclosed with your entry.

Because of the large volume of entries, it is almost impossible to identify whether individual entries have arrived at or near the deadline date.

Who will be the judges?

Winners will be selected by panels of experts in journalism and journalism education selected by the CSPA.

What are the awards?

First Place Certificates will be given in each of the award categories in both divisions: middle/high school and college/university. In the unlikely case that the judges determine that no entry in a category is of award-winning caliber, no award will be given. Second and Third Place awards may also be given in the individual categories, at the discretion of the judges. In the case of a tie in any category, judges will choose a winner. If Second and Third Place choices have been made, judges may award a maximum of three Certificates of Merit to notable entries not selected for First, Second or Third Place.

What if we are sending entries from overseas schools?

Mark "No Commercial Value" on the front of packaged entries to speed processing through customs. Remit fees in U. S. funds.

How you prepare your entry is IMPORTANT!

Your entries will be opened, counted and processed at the CSPA offices. Then they will be sorted by categories, repackaged and sent to different judges across the country.

Remember to enter your information on your entry form legibly. This is where CSPA gets information to send you a confirmation of receipt of entries, official list of winners and certificate information for those entries that win.

Do not use paper clips or staples. Since there are over 10,000 entries, it is important for you to tape or glue everything. It is also important to have your entries folded down to 8 ¹/₂" x 11" so you have control of where the folds fall.

Download forms

Click to download the Gold Circle form for Middle Schools and High Schools.



Click to download the Gold Circle form for Colleges and Universities.