Application Period
Update, August 18, 2021: NYU continues to closely monitor developments related to COVID-19 and adjust University policy accordingly. As a result and in alignment with our obligation to safeguard public health, High School Law Institute will be held online for at least the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year.
We continue to hope that circumstances will allow a return to in-person programming in the fall. Accordingly, we still ask that applicants live within commuting distance of NYU's campus.
The HSLI application deadline for the 2021-2022 academic year has been extended to August 25, 2021. Decisions will still 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 speech and debate 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
NYU continues to closely monitor developments related to COVID-19 and adjust University policy accordingly. As a result and in alignment with our obligation to safeguard public health, High School Law Institute will be held online for at least the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. We will be building upon our strong 2020-2021 online program and are confident that the quality and rigor of our curriculum will be preserved in a virtual format.
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.