Our fall Tryout process is open to any student at Harvard and designed to showcase the skills that will be most valuable in trial.
Come meet us, learn about who we are, and see what we do! Before Tryouts each year, we host two information sessions where prospective members can learn about collegiate Mock Trial, the Harvard Mock Trial Association, and watch a live demonstration. Both sessions cover the same material, so you only need to attend one. We strongly encourage you to attend an Information Session prior to trying out for the team.
If the times below are not compatible with your schedule, please contact our Director of Tryouts, Training, and Mentoring, Patris Haxhiaj (harvardmock.tryouts@gmail.com) to schedule a one on one meeting.
Saturday, September 3rd: 2-3 PM
Leverett Theater
Saturday, September 3rd: 4–5 PM
Leverett Theater
Tryout Process
Step 1: Fill out our Preliminary Tryout Form HERE
Our Tryout Form puts you on our radar, and it helps us keep track of you as you move throughout the Tryout process. The link to the form will be released here as soon as it becomes available. You must fill out a Preliminary Tryout Form before booking a tryout slot. It's quick—just basic biographical data.
Step 2: Book a Round I Tryout HERE
To book the time of your Round I Tryout, a Calendly link will be released here as soon as it becomes available. If you experience any difficulties or have any questions, don't hesitate to text Patris Haxhiaj, our Director of Tryouts, Training, and Mentoring at (630) 785-0286. He can also be reached via email at patrishaxhiaj@college.harvard.edu. If none of the tryout times work due to extenuating circumstances, please inform Patris Haxhiaj ASAP.
Step 3: Attend Round I Office Hours HERE (Optional!)
If you have any questions feel free to stop by Office Hours. Meet a team member or two, run your tryout material for feedback, or just say hi! Sign up here, when the link is released, if you're interested. Again, this is only for your own comfort and totally optional.
Step 3: Download our Tryout Packet HERE
The Tryout Packet contains all relevant information for the Round I Tryout, extra resources to help you prepare, and the written content you'll rely on for the witness portion of your tryout.
Step 4: Prepare for Your Round I Tryout
Everything you need to prepare can be found in the Round I Tryout Packet. Be sure to read it attentively. As you'll see, there are three components to Round I: Witness, Speech, and Extemporaneous. In the Witness portion, you will assume the role of one of the two witnesses we make available and will learn that witness’s affidavit (a written statement of facts, sworn to under oath) in order to prepare to testify as that witness on Direct Examination. If this sounds like gibberish to you at the moment, don't fret — all of this is explained in depth in the Round I Tryout Packet. In the Speech portion, you will deliver a 2-3 minute prepared speech about a subject of your choosing. There is only one limitation: the speech cannot be related to the law or Mock Trial. And finally, in the Extemporaneous portion, you will be asked to speak on the spot for sixty seconds, answering a question of our choosing.
Step 5: Attend Your Round I Tryout
Please arrive at your Round I Tryout no later than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time. We apologize in advance if we are running 5-10 minutes late. If we are running late, please wait outside the tryout room. You will be notified of the tryout location by email, and it will also be posted on this website.
From Round I Tryouts on, we will be in touch individually.
If you have any questions about the tryout process, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Director of Tryouts, Training, and Mentoring (patrishaxhiaj@college.harvard.edu)
Tryout Materials
When they are released, please use the below resources to follow the steps above. Please contact our Director of Tryouts, Membership, and Training if you have any questions (patrishaxhiaj@college.harvard.edu). Use the links below to sign-up and prepare for your Round I Tryout.
Round I Office Hours
Once you've signed up for a Round I Tryout Slot, we encourage you to make use of the Office Hours we'll be offering the week of September 1st through 6th. A Calendly link will become available below in the second half August to sign up. Office Hours can be used to discuss your witness persona, get feedback on your argumentative speech, or just better understand Mock Trial, and are highly encouraged, particularly for those without Mock Trial experience. Also, check out our resource kit that contains links to helpful articles and videos of excellent witness portrayals.