What are Invitationals?

[Altairey]

I don't have these in my state. Are they very different from regionals? I suspect they're just a way to get a better practice with taking tests before "actual" competitions. Is this correct?

[zyzzyva98]

For all intents and purposes, invitationals are practice tournaments. They're often hosted by one school, which either finds their own judges or asks each participating team to proctor an event. The only real difference between regionals and invitationals is that invitationals don't count for anything. They really are just there for you to prepare for the regional and state competitions.

[fishman100]

Like Z said, it's a good way of warming up to competition and Science Olympiad if you are new. If you are a returning member, then you get more practice (and experience) for your events.

[butter side up]

Also, if you live in a region that is not very competitive, but in a state that is, you can test your team against stronger competition. Our team went to Conestoga, Solon, Tiger, and our Athens Invites to gain practice. They are a huge help, especially for new events and builders. They show you what you need to study, and where improvements need to be made. We also use the results from Invites to determine our strongest pairings and individuals to decide who will compete in what at Regionals and States.

[Insert Name Here]

i was wondering the same thing, actually. i mean, i see 'invitationals' being mentioned quite often and i never knew what it was or anything. after last year, i only have 1 year experience. anyone in SoCal please consider hosting their own invitational and invite my school. i could use more practice

[mingtian]

i was wondering the same thing, actually. i mean, i see 'invitationals' being mentioned quite often and i never knew what it was or anything. after last year, i only have 1 year experience. anyone in SoCal please consider hosting their own invitational and invite my school. i could use more practice

Usually the more competitive states hold them like New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. I would imagine South Cal. would hold one. Just ask around.

[Cheesy Pie]

Illinois holds them, I know. I used to think that they decided who got into Regionals.

[mingtian]

Illinois holds them, I know. I used to think that they decided who got into Regionals.

Yeah, Ohio hosts numerous ones too.

[geminicross]

JC Booth in georgia also has one

[zyzzyva98]

The majority of states, especially those often competitive at nationals, hold invitationals. If a state has more than, say, 50 teams, it's a good bet there'll be an invite held there at some point.

[purplepeopleeater]

I know on average Texas has between 4-7 invites and more for division B than C.
Invites are usually open to almost any school, so even if you live in Texas (just an example) say El Paso, and the Invites in New Mexico (if they have any) or something like that, were closer, then your school can go out of state for an invite. I know we have an invite in Dallas that has teams from Kansas and Louisiana as well.

[mingtian]

JC Booth in georgia also has one

Yeah, I heard theirs is good.

[butter side up]

I know on average Texas has between 4-7 invites and more for division B than C.
Invites are usually open to almost any school, so even if you live in Texas (just an example) say El Paso, and the Invites in New Mexico (if they have any) or something like that, were closer, then your school can go out of state for an invite. I know we have an invite in Dallas that has teams from Kansas and Louisiana as well.

Yeah, the invite we host in PA often has people come from four or five different states. (we almost had a team come from Texas, but they had budget issues). And we attend invites in PA, NY, and Ohio. They are excellent, because the invites we go to are much more competitive than our Regional competition, so we get a better idea of what needs to be done to prepare for States.

[geekychic13]

My invitationals is about15 teams mainly from Illinois, but i think there's a team or two from Indiana. Not sure. But we do pretty good every time (okay, first place every time, and so, yeah).....But its technically not an invitation, because its the West Central Conference, and other people run the events besides people from my school, but thats how my coach picks the people for the team. we dont do any other invitationals, since he wants us to focus on regionals and state, so yeah.

[Cheesy Pie]

Wait - you have Div B invites? My school doesn't...