Essay submissions in German or English, on any topic connected with German literature or culture, are being sought for the 2011 Goethe Prize competition open to all students.

Graduate students can win up to $500 for an essay of 10 to 20 pages, and undergraduates can win up to $250. Juniors' and seniors' essays should be seven to 15 pages; freshmen and sophomores should submit five to 10 pages. The deadline is noon April 15.

Essays should be submitted under an assumed name, but the author must indicate his or her class (freshman, sophomore, etc.) on the essay and submit a sealed envelope containing his or her identity, including student ID number, local address and telephone.

Each student may enter only one essay; former prizewinners are not eligible, except winners in the undergraduate competition may enter the graduate competition when they have advanced to that status.

The Goethe Prize, endowed in 1935 by Ludwig Vogelstein, is awarded annually for the best essay. The committee may award a first prize and possibly a second prize in each competition.

Submit entries to the Dean of the University Faculty, 315 Day Hall. For more information, contact Miriam Zubal in the Department of German Studies, 183 Goldwin Smith Hall, 255-4047 or mz17@cornell.edu.