Your photo. Your moment. Your shot at UIM.
One photo could be the beginning of your journey to the 2027 Ultimate International Miss International Pageant.
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The Ultimate Shot is UIM's newest photo competition, giving contestants across the United States the opportunity to earn an official UIM title, receive up to $1,850 toward International entry, and take their shot at becoming part of Team United States.
5 TEAMS. 40 WINNERS. 1 SHOT.
United States
Northeast, Midwest, South & West
8 WINNERS PER TEAM
one in each UIM age division
1 Photo - $50
2 Photos - $75
3 Photos - $100
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Enter your best headshots for your chance to win a spot on one of five UIM teams that head to Internationals!
Contestants enter The Ultimate Shot Photo Competition by submitting headshots of their choice. Contestants compete within one of four U.S. regions: Midwest, Northeast, Southern States, or Western States.
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Photos are judged by UIM age divisions. The highest-scoring contestant in each division nationwide earns a spot on Team United States.
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Once Team United States has been decided, a contestant's score is only compared with those in her division and region - not nationwide. The remaining top-scoring contestants in each division are then selected to represent their respective regional teams.
For example, the highest scoring Preteen in the South region will be the winner and offered the UIM Southern States Preteen Title.
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That creates five teams — Team United States plus our four regional teams — with selected contestants receiving special International entry awards based on their placement.
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Each Team United States winner will receive a complimentary entry to 2027 UIM Internationals pageant - a $1850 value! AND for the first time ever at UIM, be offered the title of Miss United States to compete at Internationals 2027. The best part? You come in to Internationals with a full team of sisters to ROCK the international stage with.
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NOT SELECTED AS TEAM UNITED STATES? YOU'RE STILL A WINNER!
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Team Midwest Winners will be offered the UIM Midwest Title.
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Team Northeast will be offered the UIM Northeast Title.
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Team South will earn the UIM Southern StatesTitle.
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Team West will be offered the UIM Western States Title.
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All 32 regional winners will receive a $1,350 award towards their 2027 UIM International entry, reducing the regular $1,850 International Entry Fee to just $500!
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AND - Each region will have an instant team of sisters to ROCK the International stage with in July.
REGIONAL TEAM STRUCTURE
Jr. Princess
ages 4-6
Princess
ages 7-9
Preteen
ages 10-12
Jr. Teen
ages 13-15
Teen
ages 16-18
Miss
ages 19-25
Ms/Mrs*
ages 19-44
Elite Ms/Mrs*
ages 45+
age divisions as of January 1, 2027
COMPETITION REGIONS
based on contestant's home state
WESTERN
STATES
MIDWEST
NORTHEAST
SOUTHERN
STATES
* any marital status
THE BEST PART...THE PRIZES!
TEAM UNITED STATES PRIZE PACKAGE (8 winners):
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Complimentary 2027 UIM International fee ($1850 Value)
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UIM United States Division Title
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UIM Full Round Crown
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UIM Sash
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Instant Team United States Sisterhood
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Dedicated Team Liaison to Guide Your Team
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Crown & Sash mailed immediately after acceptance
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Free Entry to select UIM State Pageants for Practice
ALL OTHER TEAM'S WIN (32 winners):
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Award to 2027 UIM Internationals ($1350 Value)
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UIM Regional Divisional Title
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UIM Sash
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UIM Full Round Crown
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Instant Sisterhood of Team Titleholders
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Dedicated Team Liaison to Guide Your Team
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Crown & Sash mailed immediately after acceptance
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50% off Entry to select UIM State Pageants for Practice
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Choose your photo
Select a head shot that best represents YOU! We want to see confidence, personality, presence, and authentic beauty.
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2. Submit your entry by October 19, 2026
Upload your photo and complete the entry form. Photo entries are $50 for 1 photo, $75 for 2 photos, and $100 for 3 photos. The photo entry limit is three photos.
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3. You're officially entered
Your entry is ready to be submitted to our judges.
PHOTO GUIDELINES
This is a photogenic competition. We are looking for a photo that captures your confidence, personality, and natural ability to connect with the camera.
Your photo should:
• Feature only the contestant entering the competition
• Be a headshot clearly showing the contestant's face
• Be a high-quality, clear image with good lighting
• Be recent and accurately represent the contestant
• Be submitted in JPG or PNG format
• Be appropriate for publication on UIM social media
• Reflect the contestant's individual personality and style
HOW WINNERS ARE DECIDED:
WE'RE LETTING THE JUDGE'S DECIDE...
Every entry will be evaluated by a judging panel. The average of all judge's scores will make up the final score.
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This is not a social media voting competition. Likes, shares, comments, and follower counts do not determine the winners.
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All judge's decisions are final.
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EACH JUDGE WILL CONSIDER:
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1. PHOTOGENIC APPEAL - 10 pts
How naturally and effectively the contestant photographs.
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2. PERSONALITY & PRESENCE - 10 pts
Does the contestant's personality, confidence, or individuality come through the image?
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3. PHOTO PRESENTATION - 10 pts
The overall composition, clarity, styling, and presentation of the photograph.
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4. AUTHENTICITY - 10 pts
Does the image feel genuine and allow the judges to see the contestant, not just editing?
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5. OVERALL IMPRESSION - 10 pts
The complete impact of the photograph and the impression it leaves with the judging panel.​
CONTEST TIMELINE:
IMPORTANT DATES
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 - The Ultimate Shot Photo Competition Opens
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OCTOBER 19, 2026 - Entries Close at 11:59pm PST
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​JUDGING BEGINS
Following the close of entries, eligible submissions will be reviewed and scored by our judging panel from approximately October 20 - 22, 2026.
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WINNER'S ACCEPTANCE WINDOW
Winner's will be notified by email on or before Friday, October 23, 2026. Winner's must accept their title by Monday, October 26, 2026 by noon EST. If the winner does not accept by this deadline, their placement will be offered to the next highest scoring photo in their age division and region.
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WINNER REVEAL
On or about Friday, October 30, 2026, once all winners have been notified and accepted their title...
Get ready to meet the 40 contestants who made our teams.
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Team Midwest, Team Northeast, Team Southern States, Team Western States
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And finally...Team United States
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The highest-scoring contestant in each UIM age division nationwide will earn her place on Team United States and complimentary entry to Internationals 2027.
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Follow @UltimateInternationalMiss on Instagram so you don't miss the reveal.​​
