<p>So I've always liked Debate and my 9th grade high school didn't have a debate team.</p>
<p>I moved to my new school in 10th grade but didn't know there was a debate team and it was too late to join after a certain month.</p>
<p>I want to join in 11th grade (I'm pretty good at debating) but I probably won't get a leadership position and colleges might be like "Oh wow this kid probably joined just to look got on his resume - REJECTED!!"</p>
<p>Jk, that was an exaggeration.</p>
<p>But still. If I like it, should I do it anyway? </p>
<p>I kinda want to join Academic Team too (since I was late to join that one as well) but keep thinking colleges will think that I'm cramming ECs in just to look like a good applicant, you know what I mean?</p>
<p>Of course you should join. Do what you want to do. Colleges will not assume you’re EC-cramming! You’re over thinking this.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t believe colleges look down on extracurriculars that are started in the 11th grade. Admission officers know that you change and evolve through your high school career, and you’re bound to discover new interests or even rediscover existing ones. If I remember correctly, I listed two activities I started in senior year (gasp!).</p>
<p>So join! On the flip side, college applications are all about showing strangers as much of you as possible. This might help them get to know you better.</p>
<p>“not to impress colleges!” that’s what they all say ;)</p>
<p>of COURSE you should do it! if colleges judge you for not being a college debate team purebred, would you even really still wanna go there? sounds like a whimpy college to me lol. and hey, you like debate, don’t let anything let you hesitate or hold you back!</p>