Hi everyone. I’m currently a junior, and it’s time to choose classes for senior year. I have a bit of a dilemma. First, let me give you some background. I have been a debater for the past three years. I have recently state qualled, and I have a TOC qual (it’s a big tournament for debaters/public speakers). In my school, there is an option to take a program known as PACE which is an internship program. I basically find an internship and go to it 3 days a week for school credit. Now, if I take PACE, it’ll be very hard for me to take debate senior year, and I will probably have to drop the team. Now, I realize that PACE is a good opportunity, but I really am passionate about debate. The only thing that’s holding me back from taking debate is realizing that PACE is a good idea, and that while I am successful in debate, I haven’t been to nationals. I know that colleges look on whether one has gone to a national competition for an activity they pursue, and that’s the only thing I have missing. So I wanted to know everyone’s opinions on what colleges would value more. Would they value me being a 4th year debater and probably the debate team vice president or would they value me doing an internship 3 times a week for a year? Thanks.
It sounds like debate is an important part of your life and you are good at it. So unless that internship turned out to be really something really meaningful to you, you’d probably regret giving up debate. Of course, if the internship were in a field that you were interested in, with an organization you were passionate about, then it might be worth it - but since the internship is unknown, its hard to argue that that would be your best option. Colleges are not going to care about ‘an internship’ per se. It’s not, in itself, better than debate, so that isn’t a reason to give up something you care deeply about.
Both are great activities so go with your passion. Sounds to me like that is debate.
Hey,
I actually do debate too and also just recently qualified for TOCs( I got my second bid at Lex). I had a really similar decision to make with tennis and debate. I would not have been able to attend states, districts, tocs, or NCFLs if I played tennis. I ended up choosing debate and while none of these tournaments have even come yet, I think its for the best. Considering you qualed for TOCs, I think you should do debate. (BTW, TOC could be considered a national competition)
Do what really interests you. But I think, you should get out from your comfort zone. Try to experience new things, that would really help you in your career and to yourself. Because I think if you’re just live with what comforts you, it’s the end zone of your life. You won’t see the real world. 
BTW, some updates on my debate success. I won districts and will be going to nationals soon, and I doubled at NCFLs. I am especially happy about districts. So what I am trying to say here is that you can find success in debate that would probably outweigh PACE in terms of college admissions. You seem to like debate and clearly have the potential considering you qualed for TOCs, so I stick to my original stance.