which debate awards to include?

nvg281 · 11-07-2009, 04:11 PM

alright so the main thing i have going for me on my college apps is success in debate. however, most people outside of debate don't know which tournaments are prestigious and which are not (i.e. people would think that the tournament at Columbia would be better than the one at Berkeley, when the opposite is clearly the case and people would think that the one at Harvard would be better than one at a random school in Dallas, when, again, that's just not true)

There are a few others that are obvious to include, but here are the four I have trouble prioritizing:
Houston Memorial LD Debate Semifinalist (largest tournament in Houston, draws competition from around the state)
Grapevine Invitational LD Debate 3rd speaker (one of the largest national circuit tournaments in Texas; 110 entries)
St. Marks Octofinalist LD Debate (top 16 debaters out of 115 schools coming from over 20 states)
NYC Invitational LD Debate 10th seed (draws competition from 183 of the most competitive schools from over 20 states)

How would you prioritize this list? If you can't prioritize it entirely, which 2 would you put first?

limabeans · 11-07-2009, 04:28 PM

There are a number of ways to list your awards: by latest award first, by achievement (semifinalist better than top 16), or by prestige.

I suggest you lighten the wording so it's not difficult to read. (i.e. from NYC Invitational LD Debate 10th seed (draws competition from 183 of the most competitive schools from over 20 states) to:

**Grapevine Invitational, Texas circuit tournament, 3rd speaker out of 110 entries
**Houston Memorial, largest tournament in Houston, Semifinalist
**NYC Invitational, 10th seed from 183 schools/20 states
**St. Marks Octofinalist, top 16 from 115 schools/20 states

What's LD Debate? (I only know LD as in learning disability).

noimagination · 11-07-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

What's LD Debate? (I only know LD as in learning disability).

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (AKA Best Debate Format Ever)

nvg281 · 11-07-2009, 04:39 PM

limabeans: thanks for your response! i will be sure to do that. however, my question was "which are the most important awards, i.e. which should i be sure to include and in what order?" (i can't fit all my awards within the limited on some applications)

curious77 · 11-07-2009, 04:43 PM

Suggestion: List in order of scope of competition, from International, National, State, Regional, local, and so on. I would place the multi-state competitions between National and State levels.

nvg281 · 11-07-2009, 04:54 PM

curious77: does this help? what order would you place them in?
**Grapevine Invitational, Texas circuit tournament, 3rd speaker out of 110 entries (national)
**Houston Memorial, largest tournament in Houston, Semifinalist (statewide)
**NYC Invitational, 10th seed from 183 schools/20 states (national)
**St. Marks Octofinalist, top 16 from 115 schools/20 states (national)

mom2sons · 11-07-2009, 05:29 PM

Congratulations on your success! If you are a top debater (which is clearly true) and you intend to continue to debate in college, most schools (really - the debate coach) will want to see a detailed debate resume. I would include all the prestigious awards in the resume, and a summary of others. I agree with C77 - list in order of scope of competition.

On the common app, you will have to choose between lumping them or highlighting a few - but definitely include a resume.

Do you do other events besides LD? You should include them on your resume as well, since many colleges specialize in other events (i.e. parli) and will want to see what else you have succeeded at.

If you do not intend to continue debate in college, then figure out the best way to present your success in debating in a way that is consistent with the "theme" of your application.

rewind123 · 11-07-2009, 05:31 PM

NYC > Houston > St. Marks = Grapevine