UCLA Mock Trial Institute
The Nation's Premier High School Mock Trial Camp
Spend one week at UCLA learning to think, argue, and perform like a trial lawyer, coached by members and alumni of Mock Trial at UCLA: five national championships since 2004, the most of any program this century.
Open to all experience levels, whether you're new to the courtroom or already competing.
Formerly the UCLA Summer Sessions Mock Trial Institute.
One week · In person at UCLA or live online
Three one-week sessions: June 20–26 · July 11–17 · July 18–24, 2027
Grades 9–12 · age 15 by the start of your session
Applications for summer 2027 are open. Priority deadline: February 12. After that, we accept applications on a rolling basis until sessions fill.
Two ways to train
Both formats give you live instruction, courtroom simulations, individual coaching, and a final tournament. Here's what's different.
In person at UCLA
Get a taste of college life. You'll live on UCLA's campus for the week, with housing in the residence halls and meals included, and your family can watch the final tournament in person. Run by UCLA's undergraduate mock trial program through the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Live online
Join this live online mock trial summer program from anywhere on Zoom, with no travel or housing to plan. Your family can watch the final tournament on Zoom. Run by UCLA's undergraduate mock trial program through LA Mock Trial, a nonprofit support organization.
Why the UCLA Mock Trial Institute
If you are looking for the best mock trial summer camp in the United States, you've found it.
Coaching from members and alumni of Mock Trial at UCLA, the top collegiate mock trial program.
Instruction from UCLA faculty and staff with extensive litigation and trial experience.
More than 20 years of running this program.
The official residential mock trial camp run by UCLA.
Selective admission: we review every application to choose the students who will contribute most to the program.
This is not a passive summer class. You'll practice, perform, get feedback, and get better every day.
What you'll do, and what you'll walk away with
You won't just learn about mock trial. You'll do it, every day. You and your team will work through a full case packet, write and deliver opening statements and closing arguments, conduct direct and cross examinations, and perform as both attorneys and witnesses. The week ends with a final tournament.
By the end of the week, you'll be able to:
Deliver an opening statement and a closing argument
Question and cross-examine a witness
Make and answer objections on your feet
Build a case theory and theme that holds up
Speak with confidence under pressure
Open to all experience levels. Beginners get structured instruction in courtroom procedure, objections, and trial structure. Experienced competitors are pushed on strategy, case theory, and witness control.
How to apply
1
Pick your session. Compare dates and tuition on the Dates & Tuition page.
2
Apply online. Answer a few short questions and upload proof of age. Apply early: we review applications on a rolling basis.
3
Get your decision within a week. We'll email you whether you've been accepted and, if you are, send a link to pay tuition. Your spot is confirmed only once tuition is paid.
4
Get ready. Before your session, you'll get pre-session videos and materials to review, plus everything you need for arrival and housing, or for joining online.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need mock trial experience?
No. MTI is open to all experience levels. Beginners get structured instruction in the fundamentals of trial advocacy. Experienced competitors are challenged with advanced strategy, case theory, and performance coaching.
Who can attend?
High school students in grades 9–12 who are at least 15 years old by the first day of their session. Applicants also need a minimum 3.0 weighted GPA.
How much does it cost, and what's included?
In person: $2,200 per session, including housing in the UCLA residence halls, meals, materials, lectures, and the final tournament. Live online: $1,500, covering materials, lectures, and the final tournament.
Who teaches the program?
UCLA faculty and staff with extensive litigation and trial experience, along with members and alumni of Mock Trial at UCLA, the top collegiate mock trial program, with five national championships since 2004. Your counselors are members and alumni of Mock Trial at UCLA too.
Is the online program really live?
Yes. The online session runs live on Zoom every day, with real-time instruction, breakout courtroom simulations, performance drills, and individual feedback.
Is the UCLA Mock Trial Institute part of UCLA?
Yes. The in-person program is run by UCLA's undergraduate mock trial program through the UCLA Anderson School of Management, on UCLA's campus. The live online program is run by LA Mock Trial, a nonprofit support organization for UCLA's undergraduate mock trial program. Both are taught by UCLA faculty and staff and by members and alumni of Mock Trial at UCLA. It was formerly the UCLA Summer Sessions Mock Trial Institute.
Still have questions?
Email us at uclamocktrialinstitute@gmail.com.