<p>I would not advise using Northwestern or any other high school summer debate program only as a way to build credentials for college debate. These are truly for high school debaters prepping for the coming year's competitions, though of course learning a lot about the overall planning and research and strategy process.</p>
<p>Absolutely, Macinaw. Many of these programs are outstanding in the preparation and knowledge they impart. My kids have done summer debate programs, but not with a view to apply to that college in the future.</p>
<p>We have friends that have done very selective and well known (non-debate) programs at Wharton, Carnegie Mellon, and were not accepted for admission, in spite of their amazing stats.</p>
<p>Indeed, NU's NHSI program is excellent and I did not mean to suggest it should be used only to build credentials for college debate or college application. I simply meant to suggest that NU might be an excellent college to consider for someone interested in debate, especially since they even ask about it on their application. </p>
<p>In addition, it is important to know that early and repeated contact can help a college application. Of course it's no guarantee, but you can expect it to play a role at schools that bother to track it. Again, I'm not suggesting every student who visits or participates in a program there will be accepted. However, it most certainly is an asset as part of the whole application package, particularly at NU.</p>