Critical thinking, public speaking are skills that interest colleges

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Students who choose debate over sports or music programs could move to the top of the college application stack.

“I can’t say we would differentiate between someone who did debate and someone who didn’t, but those who do build skills that are very advantageous to the college experience,” said Louise Shulack, director of admissions at Towson University.

“Speech and debate over somebody who was in another type of extracurricular activity is great to see.”

Debate skills can enhance a student’s application, but “it also depends on the student’s overall background and application packet,” Loyola College spokeswoman Courtney Jolley said.

Debate participation is “valuable” to an application, she said.

Participation in debate also may improve admission into scholarship programs, said Barbara Greenfeld, associate vice president of enrollment services at Howard Community College.

The college’s competitive James W. Rouse Scholars Program would look for applicants involved in such an activity, she said.

“We would see debate as a very, very favorable activity especially because of the preparation required and the critical thinking involved,” Greenfeld said.

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