1 - Fill out and submit the National High School Institute Application including $50 application fee.
2 - You will receive an email from NHSI confirming your application has been received along with next step instructions on how to complete your application. You should receive this confirmation email within 1-3 business days of submission.
3 - Submit the supplemental materials required to complete your application which may include a letter of recommendation, your debate record, and current high school transcript. Further details will be included in your confirmation email.
4 - Technology Requirements:
To aid our students in making the transition to online learning, the NHSI has established certain minimum technology requirements for participation in our 2022 Debate Institutes. 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.
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). Tablets such as iPads are not sufficient, as they do not enable the use of the full-featured versions of Microsoft Office products. 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
— 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
5 - The NHSI accepts eligible International applicants. Applicants should understand that all curricular instruction is conducted in English, and is geared towards two-person Policy Debate. Not all international formats follow this style, so students should be sure that our curriculum fits their interests.
International students also assume full responsibilities for securing any visas they may need to travel to the US, and to plan far in advance to do so. Debate Institute students are registered as non-degree so you should only need a standard tourist visa, however, you should check with your embassy to make sure as different countries have different requirements. The visa process may take a long time, please begin the process as soon as possible.
Additionally, international students will be required to provide a US cell phone number when checking-in to the Institute.

Deadline

The NHSI Debate Institute currently operates on a Rolling Admissions basis. Space is limited, we accept applications through early June 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 online application, and the submission of all required supplemental materials, you will be informed of your acceptance status. It is the applicants’ responsibility to make sure that ALL necessary supplemental materials have been received in the NHSI office before acceptance.