Application Period
The High School Law Institute's application period for the 2021-2022 year is now open and will close August 20, 2021. HSLI is planning for a return to in-person programming, so applicants should be within commuting distance of NYU's campus in Manhattan, New York City. Decisions will be given on September 3, 2021.
Access this year's application here.
About the High School Law Institute
The New York University High School Law Institute (“HSLI”) is a student-run organization that serves talented and motivated high school students throughout New York City. Alongside our sister program at Columbia Law School, we offer free, yearlong academic programming in constitutional law, criminal law, and moot court on Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Ideal HSLI students are those who recognize the impact of the legal system, wish to learn more about how it concretely impacts society, and are preparing themselves to serve and advocate for others. While there is no expectation that our students apply to law school or pursue a legal career, we do expect that they apply themselves diligently to their studies in high school and beyond.
Courses are taught by teams of current NYU Law and undergraduate students. Teachers receive thorough training prior to class and receive ongoing support throughout the year. They are also provided with detailed curricula created by veteran HSLI instructors and board members that are scaffolded to support high school student understanding. Each lesson contains discussion questions, background information, classroom activities, and homework assignments that can be tailored to fit each student’s interests. Our classes are discussion-driven aimed at fostering independent thought. At HSLI, students are encouraged to think well, advocate well, and work collaboratively; they are also taught to evaluate arguments based on analytical rigor and strength of evidence.
COVID-19
HSLI instituted a remote-learning model in response to the global crisis during the 2020-21 academic year. While the risk of COVID-19 remains very real, circumstances have improved to the point where HSLI is currently planning for a return to in-person programming for the 2021-22 academic year. Though the situation in New York is unpredictable and the possibility remains that we will be forced to return to remote programming, we are confident that we can maintain the quality of our program should such a move to remote learning be required. Admitted students will receive additional, up-to-date information regarding masking, vaccination, and testing requirements for our in-person meetings.
Classes Timeline
Classes are held each Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM. The dates of the program are as follows:
- Fall Semester Dates (2021): Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, and Nov. 13
- College Day: TBD
- Spring Semester (2022): Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, and Mar. 5 (Graduation).
HSLI typically holds two important events in addition to regular classes: College Day and Graduation. In November, HSLI students and their parents are invited to Columbia Law School for College Day, a family workshop to demystify the college process. Graduation is the final day of the program and has been a capstone event involving pairing with their counterparts from Columbia for mock trial and moot court competitions with instructors from both schools presiding, followed by a formal ceremony with certificates, awards, and presentations.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at nyu.hsli@gmail.com.