NATIONAL HISPANIC INSTITUTETHE GREAT DEBATE |
What is the Great Debate? NHI's Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you are or know a young person committed to making meaningful change in the world, and are driven toward building up our community, NHI and the Great Debate experience is a must. For over three decades, first-year NHI members have come to harness the power of their voices and engage with perspective-changing ideas. The Great Debate offers a rigorous learning experience for high-achieving, high-ability 9th-grade youth who aspire to community and civic leadership roles in the future. Who is eligible to apply for the Great Debate? All students are welcome to apply for the Great Debate if they meet the following requirements:
Recommended Backgrounds:
PLUS at least 2 of the following goals:
|
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & PROGRAM COST |
What are the application requirements? All participating students must:
What does the admissions process look like?
| What is the cost of the Great Debate? Tuition for the Great Debates covers four to six days on a college in dorms, a full meal plan, private access to training areas, a college day exclusively for program participants, a staff-student ratio of one adult to every fifteen students, supplies and materials, a commemorative program T-Shirt, a certificate of participation, and a highly-motivating curriculum. Upon official acceptance to the program, NHI requires a 150.00 USD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Families manage tuition in various ways from setting up an approved payment plan, seeking out sponsors, easy online fundraising, or even qualify for special select community grants. NHI makes it a point to work with each family on their specific plans for tuition. Students who complete in the Great Debate will be granted all the rights, privileges, and honors of NHI membership, so long as they remain in good standing and will hence be invited to future opportunities for personal development as well as volunteerism and faculty development within the organization. The cost of the Great Debate is broken down into distinct fees, all of which will culminate in supplying your student with the adequate resources for a fulfilling and fun leadership experience :
What does the payment schedule look like? NHI will provide details about the payment schedule upon acceptance into the program. NHI is committed to flexibility - that is, payment plans and fundraising tools are available to all families who request them. |
ADMISSION DEADLINES |
Golden Ticket Admission DeadlineSaturday, September 30, 2023
| Early Admission DeadlineFriday, October 20, 2023
| ![]() Fall Admission DeadlineMonday, November 20, 2023
Winter Admission DeadlinesMonday, December 18, 2023
|
The Great Debate is able to take place due to the generosity of our host institutions. The locations for in-person Great Debates are as follows:
Texas Star Great Debate (6-day) Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas June 18 - 23, 2024 | California Sol Great Debate (6-day) University of San Diego San Diego, California July 9 - 14, 2024 Northeast Great Debate (6-day) Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania June 28 - July 3rd, 2024 |