2025 Northwestern Debate Institute
4-Week Hybrid Program
June 29 – July 26
6-Week Hybrid Program
June 29 – August 9
Hybrid Program Format Schedule:
Online June 29 – July 11 (2 weeks)
On Campus July 12 – July 26 (2 weeks)
Online July 28 – August 9 (final 2 weeks of the 6-week program)
Students currently in 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades who are interested in Policy Debate are eligible to apply. Must be in high school the fall following their participation in the Institute.
What is Policy Debate?
Policy Debate is the sole style offered in the Debate Institute. 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. The topic for 2025-2026 will be “Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.” More information can be found 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.
Learn from the best: Northwestern is the “winningest” debate society in the National Debate Tournament history with 15 titles.
“The Northwestern University Debate Society touts itself as the country’s oldest intercollegiate debating organization, with its roots dating back to 1855. During its 2021-2022 season, the team has enjoyed its best banner years with several tournament victories at the 76th NDT held at James Madison University…Team members travel around the country from mid-September until late March for competitions. With at least 25 tournaments and nearly 1,000 debates each year, no wonder students have exceptional argumentation skills!” – Niche.com
The Northwestern Debate Institute is an unequaled living-learning experience for high school policy 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 Society has an unparalleled record of success based on the foundations, fundamentals and techniques taught at the Northwestern Debate Institute. Debate Cherubs learn the same principles that have led the Northwestern Debate Society to 15 NDT championships, 16 final round appearances, 12 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.
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.
Want to learn more about the 2025 Institute? Check out the presentation below!
Testimonials
