This week, Her Campus BC’s campus profile features the mock trial team here at Boston College. The Boston College Mock Trial program consists of four teams who compete in various American Mock Trial Association competitions around the country. The students involved in mock trial spend countless hours preparing and practicing in the hopes of building their critical thinking skills and their knowledge of the trial procedure.
1. What is Mock Trial?
Boston College Mock Trial is a way for students to become more comfortable and confident with public speaking, in addition to familiarizing themselves with the legal system. Each year, the four teams that make up Boston College Mock Trial compete in invitational and regional tournaments in the hopes of advancing to national tournaments in the spring. The American Mock Trial Association annually releases a case that Mock Trial students across the country study, learn, and present at various tournaments. The case can either be civil or criminal and the AMTA can make changes to the case over the course of the year. Joining Mock Trial is an exciting way to meet amazing people and explore trial proceedings in a fun and competitive environment.
2. Who can join Boston College Mock Trial?
Anyone can join! You don’t even have to be planning on going to law school in order to join the club. Yes, many participants are in fact planning on going to law school after their undergraduate educations, but many of the students have other plans for life after graduation. There is a lot of diversity in terms of what people are studying during their academic careers here at BC. If you’re interested in developing public speaking skills, being part of a team, competing against schools from across the country, or getting a better understanding of the trial process, the Boston College Mock Trial program is definitely worth checking out!
3. Do you need any previous experience?
No! I joined the Boston College Mock Trial team as a sophomore with no prior experience in Mock Trial. The captains on each team help bring new members up to speed and teach them the information they’ll need for competitions.
4. What are some of the best parts about Mock Trial?
Being part of the Mock Trial program has its perks. Last semester, two teams had the opportunity to travel to the University of Pennsylvania to compete at an invitational tournament. Students spent four days in Philadelphia bonding with their teams, competing against schools from all over the country, and exploring parts of Philadelphia. The Boston College teams traveled by air and stayed at a nice hotel in Philly. Student participants had a great time getting to know their teammates better and having the chance to travel.
At the moment, the BC Mock Trial teams are preparing for regional tournaments. Two Boston College Mock Trial teams will be competing in the regional tournament at Yale University on February 11th and 12th. The remaining two BC Mock Trial teams will be competing in the regional tournament that will be held here at Boston College the weekend of February 25th and 26th. The next month has a lot of exciting things in store for the BC Mock Trial team and Her Campus BC wishes all four BC teams the best of luck!
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