<p>I am a rising senior, and I have been involved in debate since middle school and I absolutely love it. I love the activity for what it teaches its participants and how it really changes peoples' lives, not just for the trophies. But I don't know how to show "passion" for debate on an application. This year, I was district(qualifying me for Nationals)/regional/state champion in various debate events, and I'll be going to Nationals next week. Sophomore year I was historian for the debate club at my school and junior year I was vice president. This summer, I'll be working at a debate camp at another school. Does this demonstrate enough interest? I was considering writing about debate for one of my essays, but I'm afraid extracurriculars are a cliche topic. So I have a few questions about this:
1. How do I show "passion" for debate?
2. Is it possible to link debate to my wanting to major in philosophy? (I do Lincoln-Douglas debate, which is centered around moral discussion. For example, past topics were "When in conflict, privacy ought to be valued about safety in a society." and "In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory.")
3. Is this even a "passion" colleges will care about since it doesn't directly correlate with a major and I might not continue it in college? (College debate is an entirely different ball game than HS debate, entirely different rules, entirely different judges, and it's hours a day of work for some highly competitive teams.)
Thanks!</p>
<p>Writing an essay on debate when you are this involved is NOT cliche. You have plenty of activity here to show this side of you, and I think at least mentioning it in your common app essay would be crucial. The link to Philosophy is certainly there and can make this major related if you spin it right. </p>
<p>Colleges will care if you can show how you plan to use the tools you have developed in your academics, not simply that you do debate. Essays are supposed to give the reader an image of you and your abilities, and I think debate could be a great way to tie in strengths related to philosophy and even other academic areas you feel the skillset has helped you in.</p>
<p>As far as showing “passion”, merely centering around it and showing an advanced knowledge obviously gained beyond the classroom shows how committed you are to it, and that you truly care. That will do the job.</p>
<p>One final note: While you can center around this, make sure to show SOME other side to yourself. While colleges don’t mind specialization, they may mind if it is the only thing your app reflects.</p>
<p>I agree with the above poster. Create a well-rounded app, but do convey your strong passion for debate. You should, however, try to make your essay(s) compelling. Topics can never be cliche, although essays often are, so you will have to write a uniquely powerful essay or something.</p>
<p>Showing passion means connecting it to you. Not just saying that you’ve been to this state competition, but what it meant for you, why you love debating, the moments, the emotions, and basically talking about what you know. Don’t just say you went to states, show don’t tell. Find ways to tell your story so it sounds like it is you talking, and it comes off as a person with a strong interest and passion. You clearly have great knowledge, so it’s not all about letting that side show, perhaps with a bit of humor or creative thought.</p>
<p>I once heard Peter Johnson, a Senior Admissions Director at Columbia University, give this tip on essays:
That’s how specific your essay needs to be and the more details you provide, the more “passion” will come through. Most everyone has some quirky story that they are embarrassed to tell someone about themselves because it’s too personal – and that’s what students need to write about – something so specific that only you could write it. Personally, I like dialogue in essays as it hooks the reader and draws them into your story allowing the reader to feel the same passion for what you are writing about: <a href=“http://www.juststartapplications.com/blog/entry/how_to_use_dialogue_in_your_college_essay”>http://www.juststartapplications.com/blog/entry/how_to_use_dialogue_in_your_college_essay</a></p>
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<p>Its fine to write about debate in your essay, but be careful not to rehash other parts of the app or use the essay to demonstrate your accomplishments. Instead, let the essay show the reader who you are and ideally show likability and/or character - in a humble manner of course.</p>
<p>Perhaps you can write about one specific moment that you wouldn’t have experienced if it weren’t for debate, and how it shaped you.</p>
<p>Gibby - thanks for post. Very helpful and well written. I’ll remember the comment the Columbia prof said for helping my son think about his essay.</p>
<p>An idea: Spend a week writing up your whole life story (doesn’t need to be polished - just dump). You’ll see something emerge that you can harvest for that debating essay. </p>
<p>@gibby: Yeah, I’ve heard different versions of that same advice. “If a teacher found your essay on the floor with no name, they should be able to tell whose it is.” “If your friends put their thumb over your name, they should be able to tell it’s yours.” I understand the idea behind the advice, but it seems easier said than done. But that may just be because I’m never fully satisfied with any of my writing.</p>
<p>I was considering writing about debate (among other things) for the essay “Why Brown”. For debate, it’s pretty much an unspoken rule that business attire should be worn. Kids almost universally wear suits. I wear sweatpants and a hoodie. It started off as just me wanting to be comfortable and slowly turned into a very important part of my identity in the debate community. I want to work it into my essay that Brown is a place for kids like that- kids who wear sweatpants in a crowd of suits- basically, that Brown is a place for independent thinkers who are great at what they do. However, I’m afraid that it might sound a bit arrogant (oh, look at what an awesome debater I am) or immature (I’m so immature that I can’t wear a suit for four hours). Is it possible to write about that without making myself seem unlikable? </p>
<p>Have someone read your essays. Ask if the writer sounds like someone the reader would like to go to lunch with. Listen to the feedback. </p>
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<p>You don’t - it will just come out of you naturally as you write about it. Your passion is already obvious, you just need to find a way to distill it into the length limit of the essay.</p>
<p>Way back in that Dark Ages, when I was getting my MBA, I had to give a lecture to the class on a business topic of my choice. I don’t remember what it was exactly that I was talking about, but it had to do with Steve Jobs ouster from Apple by John Sculley, and I was not on Jobs side. (I told you this was a LONG time ago, as Jobs had not yet returned to Apple.) After my talk, I had a classmate come up to me and say “You were on fire! That was the best lecture anyone has given in this class.” And I was not aiming for that, it just came out that way because I had passion for my subject. </p>
<p>That is what you are aiming for - make your audience care about your subject because you care about your subject. If you care, it should be obvious in your writing and it will come easier than you know.</p>