Hey everyone!
To begin with, I have become obsessed with debate. I founded the team at my school (in an area that doesn’t debate very often) last year, and I became enthralled to a huge capacity. As a novice in what are now my main events this year (Congress and LD) and without a coach, I’ve worked hard enough (and been lucky enough) to have earned honors including a state and national championship. A lot of the inspiration I have drawn in continuing down this path (and shaping my own style) has been in watching college, parliamentary debate. I am highly interested in competing in the APDA or a like organization when I go to college, and therefore I am looking to apply to schools with programs that will give me the chance to compete and make my way as high as I can go.
Assuming all other variables are met to gain acceptance into the college, what are the “best” schools for someone seeking to pursue parli debate on the APDA (or British Parli) circuits? For the sake of this discussion, what makes a school “best” includes variables such as inclusion (aka accepting more than 20% of the wanna-be members on campus), chances to improve, chances to compete at major tournaments (budget), willingness of team to go places, and of course team success. Of course, many of these can be somewhat subjective, and yes, many top teams in the country only share most instead of all of these qualities, but I’m just trying to get a better idea! Thanks in advance!!