About the League
Johns Hopkins is a member of the American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA), the oldest intercollegiate parliamentary debate league in the United States. Founded in 1981, APDA has over fifty member institutions (most located on the east coast), including all eight Ivy League universities, MIT, NYU, and Stanford.
APDA’s regular tournament schedule consists of weekly tournaments. Hosted by schools across the country, these events typically take place on Fridays and Saturdays. All teams participate in five preliminary rounds, with the top teams subsequently advancing to elimination rounds. Tournaments typically offer free lodging, a banquet, an evening party and other entertainment.