Why should you debate in College?

The decision to become involved in academic debate may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Debate is a co-curricular activity with tremendous educational benefits that last a life time. Numerous studies reinforce the benefits of a debate education which include: communication, critical thinking, research. In addition, debate is a fantastic accompaniment to many majors because the work you do for debate often supplements the work you are doing in the classroom. If you are seriously thinking about a career in law, politics, or public policy an active involvement in college debate will prove invaluable.

There are so many former college debaters doing big things in and around the Beltway these days – it's hard to keep track of them all. A few examples include Karl Rove, advisor to President Bush, the current editor of the prestigious foreign policy journal, The Washington Quarterly, the former treasury secretary in the Clinton Administration and now president of Harvard, one of the hottest Supreme Court lawyers in the country who the Washington Post calls a “ferocious workhorse,” a former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as President's Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Carter. Clearly, a debate education is a great way to jump start your career.