If you’re in high school and wondering what law is really like, pre-college law programs can give you a real sense of it before college. You’ll get to see how legal ideas are applied, try out exercises like mock trials, and work on writing or analyzing cases. It’s a way to figure out if this is something you might want to study further without waiting until college.
These programs usually happen at colleges or universities and let you meet professors, law students, and sometimes professionals working in law. You’ll spend time in classes and workshops, but also in hands-on activities where you can test your thinking and problem-solving. It’s a mix of learning and doing, so you actually see what the field involves.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 pre-college law programs for high school students!
15 Pre College Law Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote – you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University and University of Maryland
Cost: Free, all expenses covered, including tuition, books, room and board, field trips, and facilities fees.
Application Deadline: December 3
Program Dates: June 21 – July 25
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 15 and no older than 18 at the program’s start
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a six-week educational program for high school sophomores and juniors with an interest in law, the humanities, and critical inquiry. During the program, you’ll take part in daily three-hour seminars led by college faculty. These seminars involve reading, discussion, and analysis of topics related to law, history, race, and society. Past seminars have addressed themes such as the role of law in shaping social structures in the United States, drawing on a variety of sources including literature, film, legal texts, and visual media. You’ll also work on developing your writing through essays and receive detailed feedback from instructors.
4. Columbia Law School High School Program
Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: September 12
Program Dates: Saturdays from September to March. Specific details here
Eligibility: High school students in New York City; no specific GPA requirement
The High School Law Institute (HSLI) at Columbia Law School is a free, year-long academic program open to high school students in New York City. The curriculum introduces key areas of the legal system, including constitutional law, criminal law, and moot court. Throughout the program, you’ll work with Columbia Law students who provide instruction and guidance in areas such as case analysis, legal writing, and oral argument. You’ll engage in activities that involve forming legal arguments, participating in structured discussions, and taking part in mock trials.
5. UPenn Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Penn Carey School of Law, University of Pennsylvania
Cost: Free (Monetary stipend awarded upon successful completion)
Application Deadline: February 21 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Applicants must be 9th or 10th grade students enrolled in a Philadelphia high school (public, private, Catholic, or charter) with a minimum 3.0 GPA, a transcript including Fall grades, a 250-word personal essay, and an up-to-date vaccine record.
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) at the University of Pennsylvania is a four-week educational opportunity for high school students who are first-generation college-bound or from underrepresented backgrounds. At the Penn Carey School of Law, you’ll be introduced to core concepts in legal education, the role of lawyers, and the broader relationship between law and society. You’ll participate in sessions focused on standardized test preparation, financial literacy, life skills, and the college application process. Learning takes place through workshops, lectures, and interactive discussions led by faculty and professionals from across Penn’s professional schools.
6. Yale Young Global Scholars – Politics, Law, & Economics
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,000 + $95 application fee (need based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: January 7
Program Dates: 2 week session in the summer
Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors, aged 16–18 by July 20; first-time participants
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) offers a session in Politics, Law, & Economics for high school students interested in the connections between legal systems, political institutions, and economic frameworks. During the program, you’ll take part in seminars, workshops, and discussions that examine topics such as international law, governance, and economic theory. Sessions are led by Yale affiliates and guest lecturers, providing a structured academic environment. In addition to classroom learning, the program includes opportunities to engage in group projects and explore the local area through organized activities in New Haven.
7. Stanford Intensive Law and Trial Program
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: $5,699 (includes housing, meals, and transportation). Financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Not publicly listed. Check here for details
Program Dates: TBA. More info here
Eligibility: High school students between the grades of 9–12 can apply
The Stanford Intensive Law and Trial Program is a 10-day academic experience held at Stanford Law School, focused on introducing high school students to core aspects of legal education and practice. During the program, you’ll study legal reasoning, ethics, and argumentation while practicing skills such as drafting legal arguments, preparing case materials, and conducting witness examinations. Mock trial exercises, developed in partnership with the American Mock Trial Association, offer the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in simulated courtroom settings.
8. Georgetown University: Law Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Cost: $3,525 (estimated residential tuition) | $2,730 (estimated commuter tuition)
Application Deadline: April 15
Dates: Session I: June 22 – June 28; Session II: July 13 – July 19; Session III: July 27 – August 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old by the date of check-in (no exceptions). Be a current 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grader during the academic year prior to your summer program. Be in good academic standing, with at least a 2.0 GPA
Georgetown University’s Law Academy offers high school students the chance to explore various areas of the legal system. You’ll study subjects such as criminal law, constitutional law, the jury process, and significant Supreme Court decisions, with an emphasis on how laws are applied in real-world settings. The program includes lectures, interactive workshops, and mock trial exercises, giving you practical experience in legal reasoning, public speaking, and argument development. Through this structure, you’ll begin to understand the roles and responsibilities involved in legal practice.
9. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program: Legal Studies
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee (housing included); limited need-based aid for U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: June 21 – July 2 | July 5 – 17 | July 19 – 31
Eligibility: Students that will graduate from high school and enter college in 2027 or 2028, and are at least 16 years old by June 20, 2026, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2026.
Harvard’s Pre-College Program gives high school students the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses on a residential campus. If you choose the Legal Studies course, you’ll examine areas such as American legal systems, constitutional law, civil rights, legal history, critical race theory, and intellectual property. Coursework includes lectures, class discussions, and exercises that introduce legal reasoning and simulate real-world legal situations. These activities are designed to help you build skills in analysis, argumentation, and problem-solving.
10. NSLC’s Law & Advocacy Program
Location: Yale University (New Haven, CT), Georgetown University (Washington, DC), University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
Cost: Yale: $4,395; Georgetown: $4,195; Michigan: $4,095
Application Deadline: Varies by program and session. More info here
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June 17 — August 2 (specific dates depend on the location).
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
The National Student Leadership Conference’s Law & Advocacy Program introduces high school students to the study and practice of law through a series of structured academic and practical activities. You’ll engage in trial simulations, explore aspects of criminal law, and work through legal case studies to better understand courtroom procedures and legal argumentation. In addition to academic work, you’ll participate in campus-based activities that reflect aspects of college life and help develop communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills relevant to legal and related fields. The program takes place at university campuses such as Yale, Georgetown, and the University of Michigan.
11. Summer Law Institute (SLI) Program – Legal Outreach
Location: Multiple law schools and institutes in New York City — Brooklyn Law School (Brooklyn), Cardozo School of Law (Manhattan), Columbia Law School (Manhattan), CUNY School of Law (Queens), Fordham University School of Law (Manhattan), NYU School of Law (Manhattan), and St. John’s University School of Law (Queens)
Cost: Free, stipend provided upon successful completion
Program Dates: First week of July until the first week of August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th-grade students from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island
The Summer Law Institute (SLI) is a five-week program designed for students who have completed eighth grade and are preparing to enter high school. The program introduces you to the fundamentals of the legal system with a focus on criminal justice, while also helping you build academic and professional skills. Led by law students, the curriculum includes daily instruction, guest speakers from the legal field, and visits to courts and legal institutions. You’ll participate in exercises that develop skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and legal reasoning, all of which are applied in a final mock trial at the end of the program, overseen by practicing judges.
12. UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (residential) or virtual
Cost: Residential: $2,126 for high school students; Virtual: $1,288
Application Deadline: A.1 (Residential) – June 6 | A.2 (Commuter) – June 13 | B.1 (Residential) – June 6 | B.2 (Commuter) – June 13 | C (Virtual) – July 25 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Dates: A.1: July 6 – July 12 | A.2: July 6 – July 12 | B.1: July 13 – July 19 | B.2: July 13 – July 19 | C: August 3 – August 9 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Participants must be at least 15 years of age (or 17 for residential sessions)
The UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute is a one-week program that introduces high school students to the structure and practice of the U.S. legal system. Through guided instruction, you’ll learn the basics of trial advocacy, including how to prepare a case, examine witnesses, and present arguments in a mock trial setting. The program also emphasizes skill development in public speaking, legal reasoning, and structured argument. It is offered in both residential and virtual formats, providing flexible participation options for students regardless of location.
13. William and Mary’s Pre-College Online Constitutional Law Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on the session
Program Dates: Multiple year-round sessions
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
William & Mary’s Pre-College Online Constitutional Law Course is a program where you explore how legal professionals interpret and apply the U.S. Constitution. You study topics like the drafting and ratification process, the Bill of Rights, federalism, and landmark cases such as Marbury v. Madison. Taught by constitutional scholars and law faculty, the course examines how judges and lawyers debate constitutional meaning and why interpretations differ. You analyze competing schools of thought, review real-world case studies, and complete a final project to demonstrate your understanding.
14. Rice University’s Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on the session. Deadlines are usually one week before the start date
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up
Rice University’s Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World is a program where you explore foundational legal concepts and how they affect social systems. You study how laws impact areas such as property rights, employment, and education, and examine the relationship between legal frameworks and efforts to promote fairness and equal opportunity. You also consider ethical aspects of legal decision-making and practice analyzing real-world legal challenges. The course ends with a Capstone Project where you act as a member of a legal task force, identifying three related social issues and proposing coordinated legal strategies to address them.
15. Notre Dame’s Online Pre-Law
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on the session. Deadlines are usually one week before the program start date
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions and 4-week sessions. Next available start date: October 5
Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up
Notre Dame’s Law: Thinking Like a Lawyer course is a program where you learn how lawyers approach legal problems. You focus on the IRAC method: Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion, to analyze legal questions in a structured way. You explore topics across different areas of law, including international law, intellectual property, and sports law. You study how legal systems respond to evolving issues and how laws apply to areas such as branding, creative works, and athletic regulation.
Image source – University of Notre Dame