<p>Hi, I'm new posting here. I'm currently a Texas high school junior looking to get into some pretty exclusive schools. And I'd like to get a sense of how much I will benefit from my experience in high school debate. Here's some info to go on:</p>
<p>State-qualified in Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking, Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory and Student Congress, with LD and FX my specialties</p>
<p>Currently a point leader in the National Forensics League, will likely graduate first in the nation</p>
<p>Finalist in the NFL National tournament each year thus far, and it would not be unreasonable to hope for similar results this year</p>
<p>Top 32 nationally in Foreign Extemporaneous speaking sophomore year (Most above have already graduated)</p>
<p>2nd nationally in Impromptu Speaking sophomore year</p>
<p>Can reasonably foresee placing at the State tournament this year in FX</p>
<p>Also, I've got a great many trophies from local tournaments. This is coming from probably the most competitive district in the country.</p>
<p>I've got a fair amount of other ECs (Theatre, political activism, music, foreign languages, volunteering, etc.), but I'd really like to get an idea of how significant debate will be to admissions officers. It's something I care very deeply about and I invest a huge amount of time and energy to better myself. Thanks for any feedback you can offer.</p>
<p>Judging by your leadership standing and commitment level to debate, I think colleges will absolutely recognize the level of significance debate holds and your huge interest in it. However all ECs are what you make of them— it sounds like you could probably write some killer essays on debate, and that's where the adcoms will see your true passion and hear your voice, as opposed to just reading a long list of very impressive qualifications and awards (which, depending on the selectivity level of the colleges you're applying to, many applicants have). Great work though! You have nothing to worry about in terms of ECs, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Being number one in the nation in anything will impress all colleges. It's a myth that you need lots of ECs, being really accomplished in 1 thing is the key.</p>
<p>...I think I know you.
Anyway, you have nothing to worry about in the extracurricular department. You're a beast at debate. This will be recognized. As far as exactly how valuable your accomplishments will be - I think the only thing anyone will be able to tell you is that they will significantly impact adcom decisions.
So yeah. Kudos.
(And this is a longshot, but - I am *not *short.)</p>
<p>I debate in WI (mostly policy but also congress and FX) and am applying to colleges this year. Debate was my biggest EC as well and I have been pretty successful. The best advice I can give you is apply to colleges that have teams AND that have a more holistic admissions process (LACs and similiar, or top schools with teams like Dartmouth's) so that your ECs will get amply consideration. "Numbers" schools" like many state schools do not care much about ECs, although they give them some consideration.</p>
<p>My first contention is that parliamentary debate powns all everything else is just drivel (jkjkjk :). Second contention is that debate is the best in general. Third contention: your debate resume looks awe inspiring. And to crystallize my case, colleges will totally recognize the supreme effort it takes to place IN TEXAS and in the NFL</p>
<p>Swirlygirl73- Haha, it is so true indeed. My friends and I tried debating at a PuFo tournament for NatQuals and it was a nightmare. I mean for cross-ex they had a "grand crossfire." Everyone spoke at once. That was the only thing that is good about it.</p>