<p>My friend started a speech and debate club at high school, and he said that if he qualifies for State, then the speech and debate team at Columbia (or some other Ivy) will put in a good word for him when he applies.</p>
<p>Is this really likely? I'm asking because I wanted to know if I should join.</p>
<p>By the way his grades are slightly below average for Columbia.</p>
<p>no. this isnt true. i have been to nationals in debate 3 times and won states once. i wouldnt get into columbia</p>
<p>Agree -- this isn't true. Placing high at nationals might give someone an edge. Simply going to a state competition won't mean a lot to an Ivy.</p>
<p>Sorry, but this is absolutely not true. My debate student coach made it to the TOC break rounds (if you do debate you know what this is), and he applied to Upenn with a 3.9 gpa and 2200 on the SAT's, and he didnt get in, so a State qualifiers probably don't mean much</p>
<p>last year we had a policy debate team that was top 20 in the nation. One person went to Harvard, the other went to Yale. However, they were ridiculously smart in their other classes/ECs outside of debate.</p>
<p>Sorry sup, your friend was misinformed. S&D is just another activity, albeit it's a pretty respected one, similar to being on the school paper, except S&D has other benefits as well. Doing well at State or National or World level at anything is always a plus on your application, but it my no means guarantees anything.</p>
<p>On the other hand, many of the most successful debaters and speechers do end up at top notch schools because the work ethic, knowledge, skills, and, well, trophies, gained in forensics help them on their way to Ivy-covered brick buildings.</p>
<p>I'm on the forensics team. It's an amazing experience. Investing yourself in any EC will always yield great results. Do what you like, not what you think will get you in (unless it's a really great hook).</p>
<p>Sorry sup, your friend was misinformed. S&D is just another activity, albeit it's a pretty respected one, similar to being on the school paper, except S&D has other benefits as well. Doing well at State or National or World level at anything is always a plus on your application, but it by no means guarantees anything.</p>
<p>On the other hand, many of the most successful debaters and speechers do end up at top notch schools because the work ethic, knowledge, skills, and, well, trophies, gained in forensics help them on their way to Ivy-covered brick buildings.</p>
<p>I'm on the forensics team. It's an amazing experience. Investing yourself in any EC will always yield great results. Do what you like, not what you think will get you in (unless it's a really great hook).</p>