<p>There seem to be lots and lots of high school debaters and mock-trialers at Chicago. But I think you’ll find that artificial activities like those are comparatively less vibrant at every elite-type college than at most large high schools. People engage in debate a lot more than they engage in Debate.</p>
<p>For example, one student I know was very deeply involved in Debate in high school, went all over the place to tournaments, had some nifty ranking, etc. At Chicago, she spends a lot of time on a club sport that she loves, and also works with The Innocence Project. Her “Debate” impulses are now focused on the real world of criminal appeals.</p>