If you’re a high school student interested in building a career in law, participating in programs focused on law can be a solid way to explore the field. These experiences offer the invaluable opportunity to explore the legal profession before committing to college courses or a career path. You’ll engage in comprehensive programs that combine classroom instruction, hands-on experiences, and mentorship from legal professionals, giving you an immersive introduction to the American legal system. As a participant, you’ll develop critical thinking, research, writing, and public speaking skills essential for success in law school and beyond.
Why should you choose a paid program?
A paid program with comprehensive residential components offers a meaningful investment in your academic and professional development. They allow you to gain concentrated exposure to legal concepts, courtroom procedures, and professional networking opportunities that would take much longer to acquire through casual exploration. Law school admissions officers often recognize summer program participation as evidence of your genuine interest and initiative. Many paid law programs include courtroom visits, mock trials, and interactions with judges, attorneys, and law professors, providing you with real-world perspectives on legal careers regardless of their specific location.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 paid law programs for high school students across the U.S.
You can also check out these guides on law research programs and free law programs for high school students.
Key Takeaways
- Paid law programs for high school students range from intensive, university-affiliated residential programs at Penn Carey Law, Stanford Law, and Harvard to flexible online courses from Northwestern, Notre Dame, and William & Mary
- Mock trial and trial advocacy are common across this list, with programs like UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute, Envision Intensive Law & Trial, and Yale’s Trial Law program offering hands-on courtroom simulation rather than purely theoretical instruction
- Several programs include direct exposure to real legal proceedings, including federal appellate court visits at USC, courthouse observations at UCLA and Rutgers, and Supreme Court simulations through the National Youth Leadership Forum
- Online options like Northwestern’s From Interview to Argument, Notre Dame’s Thinking Like a Lawyer, and William & Mary’s Constitutional Law course provide more affordable, flexible alternatives to residential programs while still offering mentor feedback and a capstone project
- If you want to go further than a short program and develop an independent, mentored research paper in a legal or policy-related subject, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a longer, more research-intensive complement to these experiences
15 Paid Law Programs for High School Students
1. USC Summer Pre-College Programs: Legal Reasoning and Argumentation
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $8,130 – $11,570
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: May 8 (domestic)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum
During this program, you will engage in a rigorous examination of complex case law while developing your legal analysis and writing skills. This experience includes federal appellate court visits where you will observe live proceedings and see how legal concepts apply in practice. You will learn to differentiate between binding holdings and dicta within judicial opinions and use case law to predict legal outcomes. The program will also help you develop effective oral advocacy techniques, covering case analysis, legal reasoning, and court systems. You will receive preparation for law school admissions and create a portfolio of legal documents, including a predictive legal memorandum. Your faculty will teach you how to interpret statutes, brief cases, understand the hierarchy of U.S. law, and engage in appellate-style oral advocacy that mirrors law school experiences.
2. Penn Carey Law Pre-College Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania – Carey Law School, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,899 (residential); $6,299 (commuter); Register early for a discount; Scholarships may be offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 12 – 31 (residential); July 13 – 31 (commuter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; Apply as early as possible
Eligibility: High school students
The Penn Carey Law Pre-College Academy allows you to experience law school through an accelerated version of the first-year law school curriculum taught by renowned Penn Law faculty at an Ivy League institution. This allows you to gain college-level legal education during high school. This program teaches contract law, torts/liability, constitutional law, and criminal law during weeks one and two through the Socratic method of dialogue with professors. You will develop legal reasoning and communication skills while engaging with thought leaders about cutting-edge legal issues. Week three allows you to explore specialized legal fields, including business and entrepreneurship law, human rights and immigration law, and technology and intellectual property law. You will participate in virtual visits to courtrooms and law firms, experiencing legal practice firsthand.
3. NYU SPS Pre-Law Bootcamp
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost: $2,579 per course; Additional fees apply
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Residential Student Deadline: April 29; Commuter Student Deadline: June 12
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders interested in law careers
The NYU SPS Pre-Law Bootcamp offers an overview of careers in law, basic substantive law, and litigation trials through a combination of in-class lectures, speaker panels, and discussions about courthouses, public interest organizations, and government agencies. As a participant, you will have an insider’s view of what the study and practice of law have to offer across different legal specializations and practice settings. You will study a range of topics in law through real-life cases that build your understanding of the U.S. legal system. You will develop practical skills in legal analysis and argumentation, and interact with legal professionals who share insights about law school preparation and career development. An NYU transcript showing grades earned demonstrates your college-level coursework to future institutions.
4. Wake Forest Law Institute
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500; Scholarships offered
Cohort Size: Limited spots
Dates: Week of June 14 – 19 or Week of July 19 – 24 (Sunday – Friday overnight)
Application Deadline: Opens November 1; Rolling until full
Eligibility: Current 9th-12th graders; No secondary school or college credit awarded
During the Wake Forest Law Institute, you will experience an insider’s perspective of legal practice by participating in a 1L law class, engaging in case study discussions, and completing negotiation exercises, which are led by law students and young lawyers. This week-long program covers civil and criminal litigation, family law, government law, lobbying, judicial systems, and transactional law through interactive classroom experiences. You will hear from industry-leading guest speakers and develop an understanding of legal ethics, learning about confidentiality, conflicts, and candor requirements. The program emphasizes your practical skills development through hands-on activities and mentoring relationships with current law students. You will gain exposure to multiple practice areas and career paths, helping you understand the diversity of legal work. Upon completion, you will receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
5. UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA + Virtual
Cost: In-person: $2,126; Virtual: $1,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: In Person: June 21 – 27 (session A), July 5 – 11 (session B); Virtual: August 2 – 8 (session C)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-18); Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
During this program, you will immerse yourself in the fundamentals of the American legal system through practical courtroom experience. You will learn to craft persuasive opening and closing statements and conduct direct and cross-examinations while applying legal reasoning in realistic courtroom settings. You will also develop skills in presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, and constructing compelling legal arguments through instructor guidance and peer collaboration. A highlight is visiting a Los Angeles courthouse, where you will observe real-world proceedings and deepen your understanding of legal protocols. You will work with instructors experienced in trial advocacy who will provide feedback on your performance and help you refine your courtroom skills. The program combines classroom instruction with courtroom observation, creating a bridge between legal theory and courtroom practice.
6. National Youth Leadership Forum: Law and CSI
Location: Georgetown University, Washington D.C., & Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Starts at $4,499; Scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 8 days in summer (exact dates vary by location)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students interested in law or forensic science
The National Youth Leadership Forum’s Law and CSI program allows you to explore careers in legal and forensic science fields while hearing lectures from prominent lawyers, FBI members, and other professionals. This program includes courtroom or laboratory visits where you will observe how legal professionals and forensic experts conduct their work. You will participate in a Supreme Court Simulation that teaches you about the judicial process and how to argue effectively before judicial panels. Interactive sessions with legal and forensic professionals provide you with insights into day-to-day work and educational requirements for different career paths. You will develop skills in legal reasoning, evidence analysis, and professional communication while networking with peers. This experience balances courtroom preparation with forensic science exposure, allowing you to explore multiple legal career directions simultaneously.
7. ACLU National Advocacy Institute
Location: American University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $3,500; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 20 – 29
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March 2; Regular Decision: April 13; Rolling basis after April 15
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-18)
As part of the ACLU National Advocacy Institute, you will engage directly with ACLU lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and policy experts in a 10-day immersive learning experience that focuses on developing the next generation of social justice advocates. Through classroom sessions, lectures, site visits, and policy discussions, you will explore issue advocacy, legal strategy, and real-world political decision-making in Washington, D.C. You will participate in Issue Electives covering ACLU’s wide range of focus areas and daily homeroom discussions about pressing issues affecting young people. A distinctive component is the Day of Action, where you will engage in real advocacy to address current civil liberties issues. You will form lasting connections with fellow advocates and return home with practical advocacy tools applicable to your own communities.
8. Georgetown University Law Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Residential: $3,725; Commuter: $3,095; Scholarships may be offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Session I: June 21 – 27; Session II: July 12 – 18; Session III: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling till full
Eligibility: High school students interested in law; No prerequisites specified
During Georgetown University’s Law Academy program, you will follow in the footsteps of Georgetown-educated legal professionals and explore your passion for law through expert faculty instruction, mentorship, and interaction with talented peers. You will attend lectures, hear from guest speakers, and participate in discussions that introduce you to jurisprudence. You will examine how laws are adjudicated and administered in modern America, exploring controversial legal issues. Hands-on legal experience comes through mock trials where you serve as lawyers in hypothetical criminal cases, developing practical advocacy skills. You will examine subject areas including punishment for minors versus adults, victim rights, arrests and sentencing, constitutional law, and jury systems. This academy concludes with a Certificate of Participation.
9. Envision Intensive Law & Trial
Location: Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA
Cost: $5,699 (monthly payment plans available; $499 initial deposit)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multiple 10-day sessions: June 24 – July 3, July 6 – 15, July 17 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; enroll early for payment plan eligibility (April 30 deadline for installment plans)
Eligibility: High school students
Stanford’s Envision Intensive Law & Trial program allows you to step into the roles of prosecution and defense legal teams to try a case in a courtroom. This program combines academic learning with practical trial simulation endorsed by the American Mock Trial Association. It immerses you in the legal profession by having you prepare cases, craft oral arguments, question witnesses, and grapple with ethical issues. You will learn from Stanford Law faculty and real-world legal professionals who provide instruction on trial strategy, evidence rules, and courtroom procedure. Engaging faculty discussions, analysis of important case studies, and guest speakers provide diverse perspectives on legal practice. Enriching off-campus field trips complements classroom instruction, giving you additional exposure to how legal institutions operate.
10. Rutgers Pre-Law and Mock Trial Summer Academy
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $2,899
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Week I (Civil Case): July 12 – 18; Week II (Criminal Case): July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: January 5 – May 29
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (ages 16-18)
During this program, you will learn the basics of civil and criminal law, sources of law, and how law is created through interactive lessons, mock trials, film clips, and courtroom visits. You will learn from distinguished Rutgers Law faculty members and hear from guest lecturers who will expose you to diverse career opportunities in the legal field, providing a realistic perspective on legal work. You will participate in mock trials that give you firsthand experience with trial procedures, evidence rules, and advocacy techniques. Courtroom visits allow you to observe real proceedings and understand how the concepts you study apply in actual legal practice. You will develop critical and analytical skills while boosting academic confidence. The program also helps inform your college interests and career choices, advancing your college preparedness.
11. Harvard Pre-College Program: Legal Studies
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Average of 15 students per class
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 2; Session II: July 5 – 17; Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 7 (early), February 11 (regular), April 1 (late)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 16-18)
The Harvard Pre-College Program offers several Legal Studies courses that allow you to test your intellectual abilities through college-level coursework without the pressure of letter grades while living on Harvard’s campus. This program features small class sizes with Ivy League scholars who challenge you through discussion-based learning that mirrors undergraduate legal education. You will develop advanced academic skills, including note-taking, keeping up with readings, and participating actively in class, which are all essential for law school success. Some of the courses available to you include Law and History, Global Law, Global History: A Comparative Perspective, Social Media Law, and more. You will receive a written evaluation from your instructor and a Harvard transcript noting completion, providing valuable material for college applications.
12. Trial Law at Yale Summer Springboard
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: Residential $4,298 (first week); subsequent weeks $3,298 | Commuter $2,498 (first week); subsequent weeks $1,998 | Application Fee $99
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions available; Extendable to six weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Early enrollment encouraged
Eligibility: High school students interested in trial law; Students can combine multiple one-week courses
During this program, you will assume the role of a trial attorney by researching evidence, crafting arguments, and preparing and examining witnesses in a challenging case that you develop throughout the week. This program teaches you the essential techniques used by trial lawyers nationwide through instruction by real-world experts who share firsthand knowledge and experiences. You will explore every role in a complex case, developing a comprehensive understanding of trial procedure and advocacy. Through experiential learning, you’ll actively engage with material while instructors introduce key theories and concepts as you navigate your case. You will defend your case from start to finish, ultimately presenting your case before a judge who delivers a final decision.
13. Northwestern Law: From Interview to Argument
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week or 4-week sessions available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up; No prerequisites required
During the From Interview to Argument course, you will act as a lawyer to support a hypothetical client from the initial interview through the court process and oral argument. You will discover the essential legal reasoning and communication skills needed to think and persuade like an attorney. This course immerses you in everything from client communication to courtroom presentations while giving you the chance to hear from legal professionals in various fields of law. You will learn to interview clients, conduct legal research using various platforms, analyze statutes and case laws, and apply analogical reasoning to predict legal outcomes. You will practice writing legal memos using the CRAC method (Conclusion, Rule, Analysis/Application, Conclusion) and develop persuasive briefs. Your course culminates in a Final Capstone Project where you will demonstrate the communication methods lawyers use. You will also receive mentoring guidance, feedback on assignments, and earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern University.
14. University of Notre Dame: Thinking Like A Lawyer
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-4-week sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students at least 13 years old
During the Notre Dame Pre-College Online Law course, Thinking Like a Lawyer, you’ll learn to apply the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion), the core analytical framework that lawyers use to reason through legal problems across any area of law. The curriculum spans several distinct domains: you’ll compare the U.S. legal system with international systems, examine constitutional design across different countries, and explore how treaties and the United Nations shape human rights law. Throughout the course, you’ll work with a mentor who provides guidance on assignments and helps you prepare for a capstone project in which you’ll analyze a complex legal case involving search and seizure and constitutional interpretation.
15. William & Mary Pre-College Online Program: Constitutional Law
Location: Online
Cost: $1,595; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
During William & Mary’s Constitutional Law: We the People course, you will trace the origins of the U.S. Constitution, analyze its structure, and examine how the balance of power between government bodies was debated and ultimately established. The course then walks you through competing schools of constitutional interpretation, helping you understand how legitimate but opposing viewpoints shape judicial decisions today. You’ll also study federalism, the Bill of Rights, and the role of the 14th Amendment, giving you a grounded understanding of how individual liberties are protected from government overreach. Throughout the course, a mentor will provide feedback on assignments and guide you toward your final project, in which you assume the role of a Supreme Court justice to analyze a case involving religious liberties and competing constitutional interpretations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are paid law programs for high school students?
Paid law programs for high school students are structured, fee-based experiences that introduce legal concepts, courtroom procedures, and professional skills through classroom instruction, mock trials, and mentorship from legal professionals. Unlike free introductory programs, paid options often include more comprehensive components like residential housing, faculty-led instruction modeled on actual law school curricula, and direct access to courthouses or legal institutions.
Do paid law programs help with college or law school admissions?
Yes, indirectly. Law school admissions officers often view summer program participation as evidence of genuine interest and initiative in the legal field. Programs like USC’s Legal Reasoning and Argumentation and Penn Carey Law’s Pre-College Academy specifically include components like predictive legal memoranda and law school admissions preparation, while others provide official transcripts or certificates that can be referenced in college applications.
Which paid law programs include real courtroom visits or observation?
USC’s program includes federal appellate court visits where you observe live proceedings. UCLA’s Mock Trial Summer Institute includes a visit to a Los Angeles courthouse. Rutgers Pre-Law and Mock Trial Summer Academy includes courtroom visits alongside its mock trials. The National Youth Leadership Forum’s Law and CSI program includes courtroom or laboratory visits depending on your track.
Are there more affordable paid law programs for high school students?
Yes. Online programs tend to be significantly less expensive than residential options. Northwestern’s From Interview to Argument costs $1,895, Notre Dame’s Thinking Like a Lawyer costs $1,795, and William & Mary’s Constitutional Law course costs $1,595. These programs still include mentor feedback and a capstone project, making them a lower-cost way to build similar analytical and legal reasoning skills.
Which programs are best for students interested in trial advocacy and mock trial specifically?
UCLA’s Mock Trial Summer Institute focuses entirely on courtroom skills like opening statements, witness examination, and evidence presentation. Stanford’s Envision Intensive Law & Trial program is endorsed by the American Mock Trial Association and has you try a full case as prosecution or defense. Yale’s Trial Law Summer Springboard program has you build and argue a case from start to finish before a judge who delivers a final decision.
Do these programs require prior legal knowledge or coursework?
No. Most programs are designed as introductory experiences and explicitly state no legal prerequisites are required. Northwestern’s and William & Mary’s online courses are open to students as young as 13 with no prior background needed. Even more intensive residential programs like Penn Carey Law’s Pre-College Academy are structured to teach foundational legal concepts from the ground up using the Socratic method.
Is there a program that lets me go deeper into legal research with mentorship, beyond a short summer program?
Yes. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a trimester-long, mentored research experience where you can work with a professor or PhD scholar on an independent topic in law, political theory, policy, or a related field. Unlike the shorter programs on this list, Horizon culminates in a 20-page research paper that you can submit for academic publication, making it a strong next step for students who want to move from exploring the legal field to producing original research within it.
When should I apply to paid law programs for high school students?
Deadlines vary considerably. Harvard’s Pre-College Program opens its earliest deadline December 1, with early, regular, and late deadlines running through April. USC’s program closes May 8. The ACLU National Advocacy Institute has an early decision deadline of March 2 and regular decision of April 13. Many programs, including Penn Carey Law, Wake Forest Law Institute, and Georgetown Law Academy, use rolling admissions, so applying as early as possible is recommended to secure a spot and access early registration discounts where available.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Rutgers University