Debate Division

Policy Debate for Current Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors

2022 Application Now Open!

This year’s Debate Institute will be fully online

6-Week Online Institute

Dates: June 25 – August 5

Tuition: $2,750

4-Week Online Institute

Dates: July 8 – August 5

Tuition: $1,750

The Northwestern Debate Institute over the past three years of my attendance gave me endless transformative educational experiences. Whether it was learning the technicalities of policy debate or real-world argumentation skills, NDI assisted greatly in my ability to articulate myself. This institute was a significant factor in my success as a debater and an individual. Without the assistance of this institution, I do not believe I would be attending Harvard University nor successfully competing on the national circuit. — Amado Candelario, Chicago Scholar ’16, ’17, ’18

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The Northwestern Debate Institute is an unequaled living-learning experience for high school debaters. The institute will provide an intensive and comprehensive summer debate experience that will prepare debaters for next season and beyond. Northwestern University’s Debate Team has an unparalleled record of success based on the foundations, fundamentals and techniques taught at the Northwestern Debate Institute. Learn the debate principles that have led to 15 NDT championships, 16 final round appearances, 6 top speakers – a record of success unmatched in college debate. Come join our program for rising Sophomore, Juniors and Seniors to learn with and debate against the best competition in the country. Alumni of the Northwestern Debate Institute have gone on to win every major high school tournament.

Northwestern really helped me see why debate is so useful and helpful, and gave me the tools to be more successful and therefore find more enjoyment from it.”

The limited lab size and low student to staff ratio throughout our program ensure that every student receives a personalized and engaged institute experience. Lab environments are designed to create the collegial atmosphere that allows intellectual risk taking and for students to truly explore the life of the mind. Debaters leaving the Northwestern Debate Institute have the best chance to excel as they return to their own high schools, having learned the upcoming topic and skills from the finest instructors around the country as well as those from the unsurpassed Northwestern University Debate Society.

What is Policy Debate?

The main differences between policy debate and other types of debate are with the topics, the format of the debates, and the amount of work required to be competitive.

Policy debate chooses one topic for the entire academic year. For 2022-2023, the topic is “Emerging Technologies”- this is the topic that our institute will be researching and debating about, and more can be read about the topic here. A policy debate takes about 90 minutes to complete, and then the judge usually deliberates for 15-30 minutes before deciding a winner. Teams in policy debates will read a substantial amount of evidence into the record of the debate and judges will often review this evidence in the process of their deliberation. As such, the most competitive policy teams spend tens of hours per week producing the arguments and materials needed to compete against their top opponents.

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NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
National Debate Tournament CHAMPIONS
2015 •2011 • 2005 • 2003 • 2002 • 1999 • 1998 • 1995

1994 • 1980 • 1978 • 1973 • 1966 • 1959 • 1958

National Debate Tournament TOP SPEAKERS
2012 • 2011 • 2006 • 2000 • 1999 • 1998
1996 • 1989 • 1973 • 1968 • 1966 • 1962

Northwestern is the “winningest” debate society in the National Debate Tournament history with 15 titles.

Debate Division – Application Information and Deadlines – Tuition and Fees – Scholarships and Financial Aid – FAQ’s

Typical Day – 6-Week Policy Debate – 4-Week Policy Debate – Policy Debate Commuter Option – 1-Week Policy Debate – Debate at Northwestern – Faculty Bios