Q: Why is there no such thing as a stupid question?
A: You wouldn't need to ask if you knew the answer!

Now Debate This offers a unique series of contests.  Since there are so many great opportunities, there are a lot of details, so read on to learn more!

Q: What is the site I need to join for the contests?
A: The Now Debate This Social Networking site “Confab.”  You can also access the site from the main page by clicking on “Community” and then “Join Now”.

Q. How do I apply and what do you need to know from me?
A. Check out our application instructions and legal rules for each contest under the “Contests” section of this Web site.

Q: Who is responsible for this contest?
A: Click here to meet the team!

Q: Who can enter the contests?
A: Any high school student that is between 14 and 18 years-old can enter the 100 Day Presidential Challenge or the Presidential Prep-Time Contest.  Only high school juniors may enter the $250,000 scholarship contest.

Q: Can I only enter one contest?
A: You can enter as many of the contests as you’d like.  Participation in one does not prohibit you from participating in the other contests.

Q: What are you looking for in the Presidential Prep-Time Essay?
A: Essays will be judged by these criteria:

• Relevance to Topic (up to 25 points)
• Rhetoric and Clarity (up to 25 points)
• Use of Logic and Evidence/Support (up to 25 points)
• Quality and depth of Analysis (up to 25 points)

Q: How will follow-up posts to the Presidential Prep-Time Contest be judged?
A: Additional posts of the ten finalists will be judged on the following criteria:

• Relevance to Topic (up to 20 points)
• Extension of the Topic by comments of other people to the Entrant’s blogs (up to 30 points)
• Use of Logic and Evidence/Support (up to 30 points)
• Rhetoric and Clarity (up to 20 points)

Q: For the 100-Day Challenge, can I work with students from other schools?
A: Yes.  Make sure that your group registers at our social networking site, confab.nowdebatethis.com and follows the instructions and rules outlined in the Contests section of this Web site.

Q: What are you looking for in the 100-Day Presidential Challenge?
A: 100-Day Challenge Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Creativity in all aspects of the Entry (up to 15 points)
• Historical Research and Quality and Depth of Analysis (based on Timeline portion of Entry) (up to 25 points)
• Presentation and Effectiveness (based on the Energy Proposal and Video) (up to 25 points)
• Feasibility of Proposed Solution (based on Energy Proposal) (up to 25 points)
• Documentation of Activities (based on blogging, photos, documentation videos—NOT including the 90 second video required for entry—content from the Team Group Web page) (up to 10 points)

Q. What are you looking for in the video essay for the competition for juniors?
A. Applications will be judged by these criteria:

• Creativity, Originality and speaking skills (up to 25 points)
• Depth of analysis and insight about and relationship of the video content to the prompt (60 points)
• Technical Execution: Camera/ Sound/Lighting/ Editing (up to 15 points)

Q. I already submitted a video application, but want to do another one, can I?
A. You’ve got one shot to get it right. We will only judge your first entry. Any other entries will not be considered.

Q. I don’t like history, is there another contest for me?
A. You don’t have to like history to apply.  Do you have an opinion about almost everything? Do you like technology, politics, or current affairs? Would you like to make friends online around the world? Go on a road trip with 15 other kids from across the country? Oh yeah, and you get paid for the best summer job you’ve ever had. Oh and yeah one more time, you’ve got a chance for a full ride to college. Come on, what’s not to like?

Q. Do my parents have to say it is OK to do this?
A. This is a chance of a lifetime. Your parents or legal guardian should be in on it from the get-go. We’ve made it easy for you to get permission by going to the guidelines on the application page. Parental/legal guardian consent will also be required if you’re selected as one of the top 16 contestants or one of the 4 alternates. We’ll send you all the forms and waivers.

Q. How does the scholarship work?
A. All scholarship funds will be held and managed by the National Forensic League in Ripon, WI.  When you go to the college of your choice the year after you graduate, the National Forensic League will pay the school directly, as long as you stay in school and earn a minimum GPA.

Q. Do I have to go to a certain college?
A. No, but the school of your choice must be at least a regionally accredited college. Your winnings will go towards tuition, room and board, books and fees. The school is up to you.

Q. For the Scholarship Contest for High School Juniors, I’m not a junior, but I am going to go to college. Can I participate?
A. You can’t be one of the chosen 16, but that doesn’t mean you can’t participate. We’ll be running several contests on this site with cool prizes that anyone can win. Keep checking out the site.

Q. I have more questions, how can I ask?
A. Contact us here.