Apply

Step 1: Team Application Form

All students are required to submit a completed team application form. This three-page, downloadable form requests basic personal, academic, and forensic information from applicants.

Step 2: Letters of Recommendation

All students are required to submit two letters of recommendation for application. Ideal recommendations come from debate coaches, but other potential recommenders include professors, teachers, employers, or mentors. Neither recommender may be a relative.

Step 3: Forensic Resume

Students with previous debate experience are required to submit a forensic resume for application. Students with no previous experience are exempt from this requirement. A forensic resume should provide a detailed summary of previous speech and debate accomplishments and awards. It should serve as a catalog of forensic activities that applicants believe would make them an ideal candidate for the team roster.

Step 4: Interview

Upon completing the aforementioned steps and submitting all documents to debate@dbu.edu, all students are required to attend an interview with the Director of Debate and select Student Captains. This meeting provides face-to-face interaction with program leadership and usually runs 30-45 minutes in length.

All accepted students are eligible for Dallas Baptist University’s debate scholarship, totaling $1,000 per year towards tuition for each member. All members must adhere to the DBU Debate Student Handbook. Members are responsible for debating against teammates on a weekly basis and are required to regularly attend weekly program meetings, attend a minimum of six competitions at preliminary tournaments, and attend the national tournament. As a precursor to competitive travel, newly accepted students must complete at least six practice rounds against teammates.