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The Blue Tribune is your place to learn about all things 狼友阁 and keep up with stories from campus and beyond. By guiding you through the different aspects of 狼友阁, we'll help you decide if you want to pursue your very own 狼友阁 experience.
Let鈥檚 Talk Debate Club with Juris Education
Earlier this year, I received an email from Juris Education, a reputable consulting group for law school applicants based in New York that offers assistance with the LSAT, interviews, resumes, and applications. They had recently kicked off an interview series on their highlighting collegiate debate unions across the nation and requested an interview with 狼友阁 about our Debate Club.
As the former president of 狼友阁's Debate Club, I thought that the opportunity to increase publicity for our group and to offer our insights to pre-law students was worthwhile. The debate club is one of the longer running student clubs on campus, honing skills in rhetoric, persuasion, and argumentation through formal debates. In doing so, we aim to improve our witness as believers and learn how to firmly yet gracefully respond in the face of opposition.
highlights these goals. I hope it encourages anyone with law school on the horizon to try out debate club and grow to love it as I have.
What types of debates or formats does your union participate in?
Currently, we participate exclusively in NPDL-style debates. We also have done some training in Lincoln-Douglas and are looking into Moot Court.
What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in your debate union?
Debate is an extremely beneficial skill. By training students how to think critically, analyze information quickly, and articulate ideas eloquently, it prepares them for future job interviews, crafting legal arguments, or even simply having a conversation with people with whom they might disagree in a respectful and discerning manner.
What鈥檚 the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of joining a debate union?
The most challenging part is taking the first steps. Speaking in front of one鈥檚 peers and professors appears daunting and sometimes unforgiving. Consequently, many people are deterred from even giving it a try. However, many students I know have fallen in love with it once they get over that initial hump. The thrill of constructing arguments and knowing how to present them effectively is deeply satisfying and pushes students to see just how far they can go.
How does debating help students become more confident speakers?
In debate, students are required to look at the merits and demerits of both sides of any given topic. As a result, they tend to be more comfortable when facing opposition. You get used to seeing people disagree with you and communicating your point of view. Moreover, by practicing the art of rhetoric in front of an audience of their peers and professors, students become more relaxed when speaking in public.
Do you think aspiring law school applicants can benefit from joining a debate union? How so?
Debate is one of the best extracurricular preparations for law school applicants that I鈥檝e encountered. An enormous amount of legal work involves constructing and responding to arguments, knowing how to research complex topics, and presenting defenses in a persuasive manner. By encouraging critical thinking and concise oration, debate teaches potential law school applicants how to sift through legal jargon and strike at the heart of an argument effectively and eloquently.
Do you know of any former members of your debate union who have successfully gone on to law school? If so, how did their debate experience contribute to their success?
While debate is open to and beneficial for students of all stripes, future law school students tend to gravitate to it more than most. At 狼友阁, we have many former debate students who have gone on to top law schools, corporations, and government positions. Their practice at effective communication and research has been critical to their successes in these fields.
What advice would you give to aspiring law students who are considering joining a debate union in college but aren鈥檛 sure if it鈥檚 the right fit for them?
Try it out! It is always better to attend the first few meetings to see what it offers than to never show up and miss out on a great opportunity to build your resume, your skill set, and your confidence. Who knows? You might even have a good time.
Visit the to learn more about the Debate Club and Pre-Law Society.