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Rush
Last Year's Schedule
RUSH SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS
Tuesday 8.26.25: First info session from 8pm - 9pm in WLH 117
Wednesday 8.27.25: Tabling on Cross Campus from 12pm - 3pm
Thursday 8.28.25: Tabling on Old Campus from 3pm - 5pm
Friday 8.29.25: Second info session from 8pm - 9pm in WLH 117
Saturday 8.30.25: YMTA x Yale BBQ Club mixer at 93 Lake Place 11:30am - 1:00pm
Sunday 8.31.25: EC Bazaar from 2pm - 4pm in PWG
Monday 9.1.25: Tryouts Day 1 from 11am - 5pm in WLH 202
Tuesday 9.2.25: Tryouts Day 2 from 5:20pm - 10pm in WLH 202
2026 Info Coming Soon!
Can you spot 3 future YMTA members at their first info session???
Frequently asked questions
Who is Mock Trial for...
For Actors
Mock Trial is a performance
Mock Trial is like acting, but, instead of having a script to work from, you begin only with a set of facts and a goal. The rest is up to you. As a witness, you decide your character. Will you be a Midwestern accountant, a student finishing nursing school, or an old man who adores his wife’s cooking? Your character has something to say, but you choose how to say it. Are you angry or forgiving? Are you the comic relief or the tragic end? We push our members to understand their characters, because this sort of acting is competitive. That means the opposing team will challenge your character and ask you questions that you don’t expect. You’ll be scored on your credibility. And like improv, there are no scripts. As an actor, Mock Trial is one of the most unique and challenging ways to utilize your talents and expand your skillset.
If you’re an actor, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
Mock Trial is a debate
From October Invitationals to April Nationals, we compete against schools across the nation in simulated trials. At the beginning of the school year, we’re given a case packet that we’ll use throughout the year as the basis for these trials. Each trial, a panel of judges scores the two competing teams. In order to win, we must debate. In practice, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of every case theory that we can think of. It’s up to us to work as a team to prepare the most intelligent, compelling arguments. In trial, we have to persuade the jury of our argument while disproving the other team’s. And then we have to flip sides and argue the opposing side of the case. We pride ourselves on always developing the most innovative and persuasive theories. And we have to be good on our feet. When we’re hit with something unexpected – an unanticipated objection or cross-examination question – we have to adapt to the situation and respond confidently and convincingly. We work with every member to improve their debate and impromptu skills, and put that into practice in the courtroom.
If you’re a debater, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
For Debaters
For
Public Speakers
Mock Trial is one big speech
In Mock Trial, it’s not just about what you say; it’s how you say it that allows you to win. We work with every member to improve their public speaking skills while still retaining their own style. Whether majoring in english or chemistry, whether portraying a witness or an attorney, the ability to speak confidently, persuasively, naturally, passionately, and charismatically is something we all strive to develop. Then, we put our skills into practice during tournaments. We improve our members’ ability to not only give speeches on stage, but their ability to speak in class and in conversations as well.
If you’re a public speaker, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
Mock Trial is one big puzzle
At the beginning of the school year, every team receives the same case material; it’s up to us to put the pieces together in the best way possible. That is, we figure out how to dismantle our opponents' theories and make ours foolproof. Working with the same case throughout tournaments helps our members learn by trial and error and improves their analytical and critical thinking skills. We have to anticipate what our opponents will do and in turn come up with arguments they won’t anticipate. We pride ourselves on being able to outsmart competitors, and we win trials because of that.
If you’re a problem solver, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
For
Problem Solvers
For Writers
Mock Trial is rhetorical
Once we determine how to argue a case, we begin the process of conveying those ideas as persuasively as possible. This requires a great deal of writing; we push ourselves to figure out the best way to craft our arguments and how to compellingly weave them into our cases. Writing for Mock Trial is far from one-dimensional. Preparing for a single trial requires writing moving speeches, humorous witness scripts, and dynamic cross-examinations.
If you’re a writer, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
Mock Trial is... a trial
Just like you see on TV, we object. Witnesses cry. We’ve argued in front of real judges and are scored by practicing attorneys. The case materials we receive includes the legal documents that a typical case would have: the indictment or complaint, stipulations, case law, rules of evidence, and affidavits. We study the rules of evidence and case law closely, so that in trial, we can use them to break up opponents’ cases. We choose witnesses in order to put together a convincing case, and we prepare cross-examinations to undermine opposing witnesses. At the end of the trial, we stand before the jury and ask them to find in our favor. If you love Suits, Law and Order, Boston Legal, The Good Wife, or any of those types of shows, you’ll love this.
If you’re interested in law, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
For
Law (& Order) Enthusiasts
For
Friends
Mock Trial is a family
The best part of Mock Trial isn’t what we do; it’s who we’re doing it with. Ask any one of our members why they do Mock Trial and they’ll tell you about the people they’ve met. You’ll hear that joining was one of the best decisions they’ve made in college. By competing and traveling together, our 35-person association becomes a family – one that doesn’t just spend time preparing cases together. Whether freshman or senior, we practice together, party together, and study together. We make stupid Mock Trial jokes and we laugh way too hard way too early in the morning. The friends you make doing Mock Trial become some of your closest.
If you’re looking for a family, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
Mock Trial is a competition
Mock Trial is a competitive activity, and at the end of a tournament, the team with the most number of wins is awarded 1st place. Many teams around the country have professional coaching staff; we are entirely self-coached and student run. And yet, we still win
In 2014, for the first time in over a decade, we qualified two teams to Nationals – something that only 3 other schools in the nation were able to do. In 2015, we went undefeated and finished in 1st place in our division at the National Championship, and second overall in the country. And in 2016, we took the National Championship for the first time in the YMTA’s history.
We plan on continuing this legacy. And we want you to help us.
If you want to be a part of a championship team, you should rush Yale Mock Trial.
For
Champions
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