Debate & Forensics Scholarship

Students who enjoy lively discussions are invited to apply for the Debate and Forensic Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes incoming students for their talent in debate, forensics, and related events including Mock Trial, Student Congress and Model United Nations—regardless of experience level.

What It Means To Be a Scholarship Recipient

Throughout their time at Whitman, recipients must participate in Whitman’s Debate and Forensics team. Once students begin to develop their skills, they will begin mentoring each other and sharing useful tips. This is important in ensuring new students have a strong social support network.

As part of the Debate and Forensic team, scholarship recipients will represent Whitman at competitions, plan campus wide debate events, host public debates and volunteer in the Walla Walla community.

Two students working on their laptops wearing Whitman Debate & Forensics sweatshirts.

How to Apply

You will gain access to the scholarship application and materials in the applicant portal after submitting your Whitman admission application. Apply to Whitman.

A brief overview of the required attachments include:

A letter describing your experience in speech and debate
A letter of recommendation from a debate coach
An example of your work in debate (part of a file)
A brief statement on why you wish to participate in debate and forensics at Whitman

Deadlines

If you are applying Early Decision, your scholarship application is due five days after the application deadline. If you are applying for Regular Decision, you have until Jan. 22, 2026, to get your scholarship application in.

Early Decision I Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Nov. 20, 2025
Early Decision II Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Jan. 15, 2026
Regular Decision Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Jan. 22, 2026

Transfer students interested in applying to the scholarship should reach out to Whitman’s Talent Scholarship Coordinator prior to their admission deadline.

Please refer to the Merit and Talent Scholarships webpage for more information. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Talent Scholarship Coordinator at talent@whitman.edu.