Harvard Undergraduate
Mock Trial Association 

Unfortunately, no. We can only host tryouts in the fall because we are busy preparing for the post-season in the spring. Still, we encourage any Harvard undergraduate (regardless of class year) to try out for the team if interested!

Absolutely not! Some of our most seasoned competitors didn’t have any mock experience before joining the team. Our team prides itself on our commitment to year-long mentorship; you will learn what it takes to excel in college mock trial from week one to your final trial.

When you try out, the team will be considering your potential as both an attorney and a witness. Both roles are equally crucial to mock trial, and a good competitor can switch between them with ease. Last year, almost every Harvard Mock-er competed as both attorneys and witnesses throughout the year. During your time with the team, you will learn skills that will lead you to excel in both positions.

We’re looking for many things in our next generation of Mock-ers, but three things always rank high on our list of priorities. The first is preparation. Off the bat, memorization is crucial for a good first tryout. We want to see that you’ve put effort into your speech, that you’ve practiced it in front of the mirror, in front of friends, by yourself in the Yard before class. The second is variance. Throughout your speech and witness testimony, we want to see levels. Think of your performance as a journey: what do you want the audience to feel at the beginning and end of your speech? Where do you want to take them? Shifts in tone can take a well-written speech from an average score to a stellar one. Finally, we want to your unique style shine through. The best Mock-ers don’t try to copy someone else’s style; they develop their own voice into something that’s both authentic and compelling. It’s always great if we can see elements of you come through in your tryout!

Yes! Before Round I tryouts, our Director of Tryouts, Training, and Mentoring will hold open Office Hours for students to practice their material and hone their skills. If you are accepted into Round II of tryouts, you will be assigned a mentor who will guide you through the final rounds of tryouts. And, as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to harvardmock.tryouts@gmail.com with any questions you may have!

So glad you asked! Please contact our Director of Tryouts, Training, and Mentoring at harvardmock.tryouts@gmail.com and we will be in touch.