2025 Application Opens in January
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is filled. For this reason, it is advantageous to apply early. If you’d like to be notified when applications open, sign up for our email list here.
Eligibility
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- Students must be rising into 9th, 10th,11th, or 12th grade the summer they are participating.
- Rank academically near the top 30% of their high school class
- Meet a high standard of character, responsibility, and intelligence
- Provide evidence of experience/interest in Policy Style Debate
How to Apply
- Submit the National High School Institute Application, including the $60 application fee.
- You will receive an email confirmation from the NHSI within 1-3 business days of applying. That email contains guidelines on how to submit the supporting materials required to complete your application.
- Once we’ve processed your supporting materials, which may include a competitive debate record, letter of recommendation, and current transcript, we will send you an email confirmation and estimated date for your admission decision.
Application Deadline
The NHSI Debate Institute currently operates on a Rolling Admissions basis. Space is limited, we accept applications through April or until labs are filled to capacity. It is in your interest to apply as soon as possible once the application is open.
Upon completion of your application, your materials will be forwarded to the admission committee for review. Students typically receive their admission status within 1-2 weeks of submitting their supporting materials.
If you are not sure whether your application is complete, please contact us at (847) 491-3026 or via email, nhsi@northwestern.edu.
Technology Requirements
To aid our students in online learning, the NHSI has established certain minimum technology requirements for participation in the virtual portions of the Debate Institute. These requirements are in place to ensure that everyone can have a smooth and effective institute experience, and to minimize the amount of time during the institute devoted to technological troubleshooting.
Importantly, your registration for the institute requires your agreement to procure the necessary technology to meet the minimum standards. The NHSI will be unable to offer tuition refunds if the state of a student’s technology makes their participation in the institute infeasible. Please reach out to the NHSI via email at nhsi@northwestern.edu if you have any questions regarding these technology standards.
Minimum technology requirements include:
— High speed/broadband internet access
— A laptop computer with a webcam and microphone (ideally built-in, but external webcams and microphones will also suffice). Chromebooks and Tablets such as iPads are not sufficient, as they do not enable the use of the full-featured versions of Microsoft Office products and other required software. Phones are also insufficient, as they lack the set of features we will need for the institute.
— Microsoft Word, necessary for viewing and editing debate files (we can assist with this as long as the student has a laptop that they can download the software onto)
— A quiet place at home from which to deliver practice debate speeches.
Suggested* additional technology includes:
— Ethernet connectivity to a high-speed internet router, usually requiring an ethernet-to-USB adapter for the student’s computer
— A backup method of recording speeches, such as the Voice Memos app for iPhone, or Audacity for the PC
— Over-the-ear headset. Headphones such as AirPods are sub-optimal for debate, even an inexpensive headset is a large upgrade
— A TableTote or other telescoping podium on which to deliver speeches
— An external monitor, to enable simultaneously viewing multiple programs during debates
*Items in the “suggested” list will help optimize the online institute experience but are not required for participation.
