"I spent my last two summers attending the 7 week Michigan debate camp and plan on attending next year. The advanced coaching staff coupled with the rigorous yet rewarding curriculum ensured marked improvement in my debate skills. Students partake in various lectures given by the best debate coaches in the country to bring them up to speed on current events regarding the topic, as well as meta-level strategies to guarantee success in the upcoming season. My experience with lab leaders has been phenomenal, offering excellent feedback to improve as a debater from various angles, giving advice not only on how to prepare, but how to enhance my chances of victory during my debate rounds. Independently, the Michigan institute serves as a foundation for my preparedness going into the new debate season. My time within the Michigan Debate community has been nothing but fun, challenging, and rewarding for me and fellow teammates as well."
- Ahsan Tahirkheli, St. Mark's School of Texas (TX), 10/18/22, ()
"The past 7 weeks I was fortunate enough to spend at the Michigan 7-Week Program were extremely enjoyable and key to elevating my debate skills. The experience and expertise my lab leaders were able to pass on through daily lectures and frequent practice rounds will be invaluable for my debate career. Beyond the development of arguments, the research skills passed down with personalized suggestions and tips from lab leaders were a massive improvement upon my previous strategies. Combined with extremely detailed topic knowledge, Michigan left me in a great place for pre-season preparation. Additionally, having the opportunity to meet so many fellow debaters, even from other countries, fostered connections and friendships that will extend far beyond camp. Living on a college campus for a summer was a lot of fun, and there a ton of cool spots within Ann Arbor I was able to check out. I highly recommend the 7-Week Program to any debater wanting to improve upon their debate skills and find a community within the activity.”
- Christian Bohmer, Liberal Arts & Science Academy (TX), 10/2/2023, ()
“Attending the University of Michigan's debate camp was an absolute game-changer for me. From day one, it surpassed all my expectations. Not only are the Michigan facilities top-notch, but also the lab sessions were incredibly valuable; I saw my skills skyrocket from the first day of lab to the camp tournament. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the fantastic lab leaders; their dedication was truly inspiring. Practicing against top debaters from across the country was eye-opening, and every day I learned something new that would help assure my success during the season. The expert lectures were a treasure trove of knowledge, providing deep insights into the year's topic. Beyond the educational aspects, the friendships I forged at the camp were priceless. My lab felt like a close-knit community where learning was fun, and hard work was balanced with enjoyment. Recommending this camp is an understatement; I can't stress enough how transformative this experience was. It's not just about becoming a better debater; it's about becoming a part of an amazing intellectually curious community that supports and challenges you in pushing the limits of policy debate.”
- Sanjeeth Geevargese, Montgomery Bell Academy (TN), 10/1/2023, ()
“I had a great time attending the 7 Week Michigan debate camp! This summer, I formed life-long friendships, furthered my debate career, and debated against some of the best debaters in the country! I am so grateful that I was able to have this unique experience and urge others to attend this camp as well!”
- Winthrop Neubarth, Lowell High School (CA), 10/9/2023, ()
“Spending 7 Weeks at the University of Michigan Debate Institute was an unforgettable experience. Over the course of the summer, my debate skills grew to an extent that I could never have imagined. The nationally ranked coaches, high-tier practice debates, and expert lectures fostered an environment where debating was prioritized. During the day, I learned everything from broad season strategy to the technical minutia of a debate. Whether it be theoretical or material advice, this feedback provided me with insight on how the top debaters find so much success. Not only did I grow my technical skills of debate, but I also learned to hone my research skills into this year's topic. The access to the University of Michigan Library took me on adventures I'd never imagined thanks to its introductory course that taught me how to research academically. Outside of classes, I was able to develop a network of friends who are just as enthusiastic in debate. Finding like-minded people who also love debate spurred my eagerness to learn more. On top of that the dorms and dining halls were excellent and supplemented my great time in Ann Arbor. On the whole, the University of Michigan Debate Institute offers a well-rounded experience into the year's topic and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to take the next step in their debate career.”
- Kavneer Majhail, Montgomery Bell Academy (TN), 10/4/2023, ()
"I had always felt like an outsider in the debate community. I didn't always know the names people would constantly repeat to me, I didn't know the absolute peak of high school debaters, and I barely even knew what bid tournaments were. But my time at Michigan has changed that, I went from someone who had relatively little exposure to high-level debating to someone who could place very well at a bid tournament despite my lack of resources. More importantly, I managed to make so many connections with those from different backgrounds. Debate is very stressful and whenever I feel the weight of the activity on me, I can always lean back on the strong community and the friends I made at the Kritik Lab. Not only had I made friends with my peers, but I also made strong connections with my lab leaders and other coaches all around the nation. I give my strongest recommendations to Michigan for those who feel like they might have hit their ceiling in debate or want a rigorous and entertaining camp experience."
- Amanti Washington, Kenwood Academy (IL), 10/3/2023, ()