Join a family at Harvard.
Join the HCDU.
Interested in joining the HCDU family?
Our application is open to any enrolled student at Harvard and designed to showcase the skills that will be most valuable as a debater. Regardless of your background, academic interests, or debate experience, we’re confident that you’ll find a community within the HCDU.
On this page, you’ll find information about our information session and completion based comp process.
Information Sessions and Q&A
Come meet the team and learn more about collegiate debating! Slightly before the application deadline, we will host an information session where prospective members can learn about the Harvard College Debating Union and the application process, followed by a lively demo debate and a question-and-answer session.
Date: Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00 p.m, Location TBA ( will be updated on instagram and website closer to the date).
We encourage you to attend our information session. If you are unable to make the session, or if you’re having trouble finding the building or room, please contact our Vice President of Membership, Shashwat Rai, at Shashwatrai@college.harvard.edu.
Coffee Chats
Come meet the team and learn more about collegiate debating over hot chocolate! Right before applications are due, we encourage you to attend to learn more or if you are on the fence about comping,
Date: Sunday, February 1st, 12:00 p.m, Winthrop Grille
We encourage you to attend our coffee chats. If you are unable to make the session, or if you’re having trouble finding the building or room, please contact our Vice President of Membership, Shashwat Rai, at Shashwatrai@college.harvard.edu.
Completion Based Comp Outline
Completion-based comp which will require attendance at bootcamps, practice debate rounds, a tournament, and general meetings between February 1st and March 9th.
Everyone who fulfils the comp requirements will become a member of the HCDU, regardless of previous debate experience or skill.
Most requirements can be met flexibly; however, compers are required to judge one day of a tournament run by the HCDU from February 14-16 and compete at an external tournament before March 9th.
Comp Timeline
Written Application deadline: Sunday, February 1, 11:59 p.m.
Make sure your application has been submitted! If you have any extenuating circumstances, please email Shashwatrai@college.harvard.edu.
Comp Completion Date: March 9th
We look forward to welcoming new members to our team family! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Shashwat Rai, Vice President of Membership, at Shashwatrai@college.harvard.edu
Sign up for the HCDU application form to stay updated throughout the comp process!
About Us
The Harvard College Debating Union is Harvard's internationally competitive debate team, established in the fall of 1981. We are consistently ranked as one of the top three debate clubs in the country. In a normal year, we travel across America, Europe, and Asia to compete in American and British parliamentary debate. Over the last eight years, we've won three world championships.
And we hope to welcome you to our team! No previous debate experience is necessary — only intellectual promise and demonstrated commitment to the team. While some of our members were award-winning debaters in high school, many of our most successful debaters had no experience prior to joining the team. Furthermore, joining the HCDU and attending debate tournaments is completely free.
Ready to join the HCDU? Fill out our application form now!
Visitas 2021 Info Session Recording
During Visitas 2021, we hosted an info session to share more about the team, followed by a demo debate in an abridged APDA format. Our four wonderful panelists debated the motion: THBT parents should push their kids to achieve, even if that comes at the expense of their child’s happiness. Please find a recording of the info session and the demo debate below.
Questions and Answers
What is the time commitment like?
All members must commit to helping run Harvard’s three yearly debate tournaments, barring exceptional circumstances. While a tournament is offered every weekend, members may set their own competitive calendar, which is augmented by weekly training, general meetings, and social activities.
What if I have no debate experience?
Fall comp: The HCDU accepts members based on their debate potential, not on their experience. We run a rigorous debate bootcamp in the weeks following tryouts, teaching you everything from impacting and weighing to team lore. Throughout your time on the team, you’ll also have coaching, mentorship, and open office hours to support your journey.
Spring Comp: The HCDU spring comp is open and completion based for all Harvard enrolled students!! No matter your level of experience, our comp will give you all the skills to enjoy debate.
Is there a cost to being on the team?
The HCDU has a zero cost of participation policy, ensuring all teams members can be involved to the same degree, regardless of socioeconomic status. Travel, lodging, and social events are all subsidized by the team as part of our commitment to inclusion.