There are no tryouts, and no experience is required — everyone is welcome! We'll teach you everything you need to know. 

Most new members (affectionately called novices) join in the beginning of the fall semester, which is the best time to start since we focus heavily on training novices during the first few weeks. You'll be learning alongside other newbies and have the chance to compete at our home tournament, SwatNov. However, you can also join later in the year — we’ll make sure you're paired with a partner and brought up to speed so you can start competing too.

Either way, just reach out to us at debate@swarthmore.edu to express your interest. We'll be happy to provide more information and help you get started!

Not at all. Many of our members had no debate experience before joining Peaslee. All you need is a love for debate, an open mind and a willingness to learn — we'll take care of the rest.

Absolutely! You don't need to be a freshman to join. Many upperclassmen have joined Peaslee and become highly active members. Your year has no impact on your ability to participate fully or compete.

Not at all! While some members are pre-law, many are not. Our team includes students majoring/minoring in Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics & Astronomy, Philosophy, Classics, and more. Debate builds skills like critical thinking, communication, and teamwork, which are useful in every career path.

Practices for the first few weeks of classes (before fall break) will be held on Tuesday (6-8 PM), Wednesday (7-9 PM), and Thursday (6-8 PM). Practices will be held in Trotter 301, except for Tuesday (9/16), Tuesday (9/23), and Tuesday (9/30), when practices will be held in Singer 348. No individual practice is mandatory unless otherwise stated, and if practice times/locations change, this site will be adjusted accordingly.

We hold three 1.5-hour practices per week, and while we encourage members to attend regularly, any level of commitment is welcome. If you're planning to compete, especially at major national or international tournaments, we do expect higher levels of preparation and attendance.

Nope! Everyone moves at their own pace. Many members start by attending practices, getting comfortable with the format and style, and then begin competing once they feel ready. There's no pressure to jump in right away — we'll support you no matter your timeline.

Don't worry! We'll help match you with a partner who aligns with your level of experience, commitment, and availability. It's a collaborative process, and we're here to support you.

Just reach out to the board! We'll do our best to help you find another partner so you can continue debating. We want everyone who wants to compete to have the opportunity to do so.

Internationally, we've recently competed in the Netherlands, Vietnam, Mexico, Panama, and Canada, and this year we're headed to Bulgaria! Domestically, we travel mostly along the East Coast, but we've also attended tournaments on the West Coast.

Nope! As long as you're dedicated, attending practices, and continuing to grow as a debater, you can travel as often as you'd like — even every weekend if you're up for it.

It depends on the tournament, but we usually leave on Friday morning or evening and return on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Yes! You can absolutely attend tournaments as a judge. In fact, judges are essential to our team, and we make sure they're trained and supported. Judging is a great way to engage with debate, especially if you want to take a break from competing or explore a different perspective.

That's totally understandable! You have the ability to opt in or out of any domestic tournament and customize your participation around your schedule. We also participate in online tournaments, which are less time-intensive but still offer valuable experience and feedback.

Unfortunately, international tournaments have limited spots, so we prioritize members who have shown commitment throughout the year by attending practices and local tournaments. We want international representation to reflect ongoing engagement with Peaslee.

Nope! Peaslee covers all costs related to tournaments (i.e., entry fees, transportation, hotel, and food), so there's zero out-of-pocket cost to compete. The same goes for our social events — we believe everyone should feel welcome and included, regardless of financial background.

Reach out to us at debate@swarthmore.edu. If your question is for a specific board member, feel free to email them directly (via the Leadership tab) — we're always happy to help!