High school debate trains students to excel in academic coursework. Skills such as: organization, research, critical thinking, communication, presentation, and public speaking apply to all areas of academia. Debate students also develop self-confidence, and they become avid participators and leaders in their classrooms.

Debate programs teach students how to diligently study, remove distractions, and to find interest and excitement in any subject. It’s not surprising that debate students outperform their non-debate counterparts in standardized testing, college entrance, and scholarships. “All these skills are especially relevant in the academic realm. Studies show that the SAT and ACT scores of students with debate experience are consistently higher than others.” Debate students are also more likely to attend Ivy League and top ranking schools than their non-debate counterparts.

Debate also serves as an important extracurricular activity. “In addition to entrance scores, students who participate in debate as an extracurricular activity are more likely to be accepted into prestigious colleges and universities. Many institutions offer full or partial scholarships for students who debate in high school.” Colleges and universities recognize the unique skill set that high school debate instills within its participants. Admissions recognize debate students as scholarly, worldly, and studious individuals.

High school debate students are equipped with strong written and oral communication skills. This allows college applicants to shine during the admissions process. Not only will debaters impress admissions with a strongly and persuasively written letter, but they will also be able to deliver a top-notch in-person interview. High school debaters are considered to be the “whole package” when it comes to college admissions. They are not only highly intelligent, but they also possess social skills, ambition, and the ability to work cooperatively in a group.

“Colleges now acknowledge, based on years of experience, that students who demonstrate success in extracurricular activities which give them real-world skills effectively perform better in college.” Because colleges are seeking well-rounded individuals, high school debate provides the perfect platform. Debate inherently teaches students vital skills they can use throughout life.