We the People Nationals

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is a national educational program that culminates in the We the People National Finals, a simulated congressional hearing competition focused on constitutional knowledge and civic understanding. The program engages high school students in intensive study of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and fundamental principles of American government through classroom instruction followed by competitive hearings at district, state, and national levels. Approximately 30,000 students participate annually across all competition levels, with 56 teams advancing to the national finals in Washington, D.C. each spring.

Annual participation includes approximately 1,200 high schools nationwide, with 30,000 students enrolled in We the People classes. State competitions typically involve 15-30 teams per state, depending on population and program strength. The national finals host 56 teams representing each state, D.C., Department of Defense schools, and several at-large positions. California, Texas, and Virginia consistently field the largest number of participating schools, with California averaging 120 participating high schools annually.

The program has educated over 30 million students since inception. Alumni include current members of Congress, federal judges, state legislators, and numerous civic leaders. The National Conference of State Legislatures recognizes We the People as the premier civic education program in the United States. Independent studies by the Educational Testing Service demonstrate that We the People students score significantly higher on AP Government exams and demonstrate greater civic knowledge retention than peers in traditional government courses.

Structure and Details

We the People competitions simulate congressional hearings where student teams demonstrate constitutional knowledge through prepared statements and follow-up questioning. Teams consist of 18-30 students divided into six units, each focusing on specific constitutional topics. Unit 1 covers philosophical and historical foundations, Unit 2 examines the Constitutional Convention, Unit 3 analyzes the Constitution's structure, Unit 4 addresses federalism and individual rights, Unit 5 explores Bill of Rights applications, and Unit 6 discusses contemporary constitutional challenges.

Competition format requires each unit to present a four-minute prepared statement addressing their assigned constitutional question, followed by six minutes of follow-up questions from a panel of judges. Judges include constitutional scholars, attorneys, educators, and civic leaders. Teams receive their competition questions 30 days before district competitions and new questions for state and national levels. Preparation involves extensive research, writing multiple drafts, practicing oral presentations, and conducting mock hearings.

District competitions typically occur in December or January, state competitions in January or February, and nationals in late April. The national finals span three days in Washington, D.C., including two days of competition hearings and a awards ceremony. Competition days run 8-10 hours, with each unit presenting twice before different judge panels. Scoring evaluates constitutional knowledge accuracy, argument development, evidence usage, responsiveness to questions, and presentation skills.

Registration fees range from $200-500 for district competitions and $1,000-2,000 for state competitions. National finals participation costs $15,000-25,000 per team, including travel, lodging, and meals for 25-35 people. Many teams fundraise through local businesses, service clubs, and school foundations. The Center for Civic Education provides limited travel stipends for national finalist teams based on financial need.

Time commitment varies by competition level and team structure. Classroom instruction requires standard course hours (45-90 minutes daily). Competition preparation adds 10-20 hours weekly from October through state competition, increasing to 20-30 hours weekly for national finalists. Weekend practices, mock hearings, and research sessions are standard. Summer institutes offer intensive preparation, costing $500-1,500 per student for week-long programs.

College Admissions Impact

Admissions officers at selective colleges recognize We the People as a rigorous academic extracurricular demonstrating intellectual curiosity, research skills, and civic engagement. The activity particularly resonates with institutions emphasizing liberal arts education, civic responsibility, and interdisciplinary learning. Georgetown, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford admissions representatives specifically mention We the People as a meaningful activity during information sessions.

State-level achievement in We the People carries weight comparable to state-level success in debate, Model UN, or academic decathlon. National finals participation elevates the activity to the tier of prestigious summer programs or significant research projects. Unit awards at nationals (top three units in each category) represent exceptional achievement equivalent to national merit recognition. The Best Unit Award demonstrates mastery comparable to publishing academic research or winning national essay competitions.

Liberal arts colleges particularly value We the People participation. Swarthmore, Amherst, Williams, and Pomona admissions data indicate higher acceptance rates for We the People state and national competitors compared to overall applicant pools. Public universities with strong political science programs, including UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia, actively recruit We the People participants for honors programs and merit scholarships.

We the People demonstrates multiple competencies valued in holistic admissions: sustained academic commitment, collaborative skills, public speaking ability, research proficiency, and civic awareness. The activity's year-long structure shows dedication beyond single-event competitions. Team-based format provides leadership opportunities through unit coordinator roles and team captain positions. Constitutional focus aligns with pre-law interests while maintaining broader appeal than mock trial or debate.

Admissions impact varies by achievement level and overall application context. Classroom participation alone provides minimal distinction unless combined with leadership roles or exceptional essays. District competition participation demonstrates moderate engagement similar to school-level activities. State competition, particularly with placement, shows significant commitment and achievement. National finals participation stands out prominently, especially for students from underrepresented states or schools.

Getting Started and Excelling

Students typically begin We the People as juniors or seniors when their schools offer the course. Some programs accept sophomores with teacher recommendation. Schools without existing programs can establish teams through social studies departments by contacting state coordinators through the Center for Civic Education website. Independent study options exist in states with distance learning programs, though these rarely advance beyond district competition.

Initial preparation focuses on mastering core constitutional concepts through the We the People textbook and supplementary readings. Successful students read 50-100 pages weekly beyond class assignments, including Supreme Court cases, Federalist Papers, and contemporary constitutional scholarship. Early unit selection matters significantly; students should choose units matching their interests and strengths while considering team balance.

Competition preparation intensifies after unit assignments in October. Effective teams establish regular practice schedules including twice-weekly unit meetings, weekly full-team practices, and monthly mock hearings. Research strategies include creating shared documents with constitutional provisions, court cases, historical examples, and contemporary applications relevant to each unit's topics. Strong teams compile 100-200 pages of research per unit.

Mock hearings with community judges provide essential practice. Successful teams conduct 10-15 mock hearings before district competition, increasing frequency before state and national competitions. Video recording allows detailed performance analysis. Teams should practice with judges from various backgrounds—attorneys provide legal precision feedback while educators evaluate clarity and engagement.

Advanced preparation includes attending summer institutes at universities like Georgetown, Indiana University, or California State University. These programs cost $800-1,500 but provide intensive instruction from master teachers and competition veterans. National finalists often attend multiple summers, progressing from introductory to advanced sessions. Scholarships cover approximately 30% of participant costs.

Strategic Considerations

We the People requires substantial time investment that may conflict with other extracurriculars. The academic year commitment spans September through April, with nationals extending into May. Students balancing multiple activities should prioritize We the People during competition season (December-February for state qualification). Spring sport athletes face particular challenges with national finals conflicting with season championships.

Geographic disparities affect competitive opportunities. States with established programs like California, Oregon, and Virginia offer stronger preparation resources and tougher competition. Students in developing programs may find easier paths to state competition but receive less preparation for nationals. Online coaching partially addresses these disparities, with experienced coaches offering virtual sessions at $50-100 hourly.

We the People aligns strongly with humanities and social science interests. Pre-law students gain constitutional knowledge exceeding most undergraduate courses. Political science majors develop research and argumentation skills directly applicable to college coursework. History students explore primary sources and historiography. The interdisciplinary nature also benefits philosophy, economics, and journalism interests.

Students should evaluate We the People against other options based on school resources, career interests, and time availability. Strong We the People programs with experienced coaches and funding justify prioritization over generic activities. Weak programs may not warrant the time investment compared to established debate or Model UN teams. Individual interests in law, government, or policy make We the People particularly valuable regardless of program strength.

Financial considerations include competition costs, summer programs, and supplementary materials. Total annual costs range from $500 for basic participation to $5,000 for full engagement including summer institutes and nationals. Fundraising typically covers 50-70% of costs through local sponsors. Low-income students should inquire about school funding and Center for Civic Education scholarships before declining participation.

Application Presentation

Activities list descriptions should emphasize specific roles and achievements while conveying the program's rigor. Effective descriptions include: "Unit 4 Coordinator, We the People National Finalist Team - Led 5-member unit examining Bill of Rights applications; presented before federal judges at national competition; coordinated 200+ hours of research and practice." Quantify leadership through hours led, team members managed, or hearings coordinated.

Essay topics naturally emerge from We the People experiences. Constitutional issues provide intellectual challenge essays. Team dynamics illustrate collaboration and leadership. Specific judge interactions demonstrate grace under pressure. Contemporary applications show real-world engagement. Avoid generic "I learned about the Constitution" narratives; focus on specific moments revealing character or growth.

Interview preparation should include 2-3 specific We the People anecdotes illustrating different qualities. Prepare to explain the program concisely for unfamiliar interviewers: "We the People is a constitutional knowledge competition where teams present before panels of judges, similar to Supreme Court oral arguments." Connect constitutional learning to future academic interests and career goals.

Common application mistakes include understating the program's rigor, failing to explain the competition format, and focusing solely on placement rather than learning. Admissions officers may not recognize "We the People" without context. Include "constitutional competition" or "simulated congressional hearing" for clarity. Emphasize intellectual growth and civic engagement alongside competitive success.

Demonstrating progression requires showing development from participant to leader. Track responsibilities from initial research contributions to unit coordination to team leadership. Document skill development in research, writing, public speaking, and collaboration. Include specific examples: "Progressed from supporting researcher to lead presenter, ultimately coaching younger unit members and achieving Best Unit Award at state competition."

Additional Insights

Online participation expanded significantly during COVID-19, with virtual competitions continuing as permanent options. Virtual formats maintain the same structure but present through video conferencing. Judges report minimal difference in educational value, though in-person nationals provide superior networking opportunities. Hybrid models allow district and state virtual competitions with in-person nationals.

Recent program changes include increased emphasis on contemporary constitutional issues, incorporating current Supreme Court cases within months of decisions. Question complexity has increased, requiring deeper analytical thinking beyond memorization. Scoring rubrics now weight follow-up questions equally with prepared statements, rewarding adaptability and comprehensive knowledge.

College-level opportunities include the We the People Alumni Network, connecting 300,000+ program graduates. Universities including Georgetown and Indiana offer advanced We the People courses for credit. The Center for Civic Education provides internships for alumni, offering pathways to civic education careers. Several law schools recognize We the People achievement in admissions considerations.

Accessibility accommodations include large-print materials, extended time for students with documented needs, and sign language interpreters. The Center for Civic Education provides resources ensuring full participation regardless of disabilities. Virtual competitions particularly benefit students with mobility challenges or medical conditions preventing travel.

International programs operate in emerging democracies, with exchange opportunities for American students. The Bosnia and Herzegovina program partners with U.S. teams for collaborative projects. These international connections provide unique perspectives for college essays and demonstrate global engagement valued by admissions committees.

Related Activities and Further Exploration

Students drawn to the constitutional analysis and argumentation skills developed in We the People often excel in debate formats requiring similar research depth and presentation abilities. Model G20 Best Delegate competitions share We the People's emphasis on policy research and formal presentation, though focusing on international rather than domestic governance. The collaborative team structure and intensive preparation mirror We the People's unit system while addressing global economic and political challenges.

Those who appreciate We the People's intersection of historical knowledge and contemporary application frequently pursue recognition through National Shakespeare Winner competitions, which similarly require deep textual analysis and compelling oral presentation. The intellectual rigor of constitutional interpretation translates well to Shakespearean scholarship, with both activities demonstrating sophisticated analytical capabilities valued by selective colleges. Students often find that skills developed in We the People's follow-up questioning prepare them exceptionally well for the spontaneous elements of Shakespeare competitions.

The research intensity and academic depth of We the People connects naturally with opportunities like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Internship, where students apply similar analytical rigor to scientific inquiry. While the subject matter differs dramatically, the systematic approach to research, evidence evaluation, and presentation of complex findings remains consistent. Many We the People participants interested in law and policy also pursue scientific research to demonstrate intellectual versatility.

Students who value We the People's civic engagement aspect while seeking creative expression often find fulfillment in Poetry Society of America Top Winner competitions. Constitutional principles and poetic expression both require precise language use and deep understanding of American cultural contexts. The ability to convey complex ideas concisely, honed through We the People unit presentations, serves poets well in crafting impactful verse about social and political themes.

For those interested in combining civic knowledge with technological innovation, the NCWIT Aspirations National Winner program offers opportunities to apply constitutional principles to digital age challenges. Privacy rights, free speech in online spaces, and technology regulation represent contemporary constitutional issues frequently addressed in We the People Unit 6 presentations. This intersection of traditional civic education and modern technology applications particularly appeals to students planning careers in technology law or policy.

Some We the People participants discover passion for accessibility and inclusion through their program experience, leading them to pursue recognition as a Braille Challenge State Winner. The constitutional emphasis on equal protection and civil rights connects directly to disability advocacy, with both activities demonstrating commitment to inclusive democratic participation. These students often write compelling college essays connecting constitutional principles to personal experiences with accessibility and social justice.