<p>So I had my NFL national qualifier tournament today, and I neither qualified in Lincoln-Douglas debate nor in Original Oratory. I'm a junior and have been in the activity since 6th grade. I really hope to be accepted to an Ivy League next year and am wondering: how will colleges interpret my lack of success in the activity? (Especially considering that I devote a majority of my time and efforts to it.) I've qualified to state every year, but I don't really have any major award (a hook, per say) to culminate the past six years. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Do well at States this year. Do you have CFL qualifiers? Go to those. You could also try to be successful at some bigger national circuit tournaments next year before your applications go out (Yale, maybe Glenbrooks, etc.)</p>