Important Tryout Updates

 Tryouts for the 2009-2010 season will be held on the weekend of September 25th. Those interested in trying out should also plan on attending a General Interest Meeting on Thursday, September 17th at 7pm in the Campus Center Large Conference Room. Tryout packets will be made available prospective members after the General Interest Meeting. We encourage anyone with questions to contact our Co-Presidents at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,  or our External Affairs Officer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Why should I join Tufts Mock Trial?

 FUN!

First and foremost, Mock Trial is fun! TMT members have fun in and out of the courtroom. If you enjoy Mock Trial and you enjoy having fun, TMT is for you!

LEARNING!

College Mock Trial is based on the Federal Rules of Evidence and provides a phenomenal opportunity to gain a better understanding of these rules through practical application. Further, you can expect to gain a better understanding of the underlying reasons for the Rules of Evidence and the American Legal System. Additionally, members learn to think critically and analytically, skills that can be applied outside of the mock courtroom. 

PUBLIC SPEAKING!

College Mock Trial is a great arena to hone your public speaking abilities and improve your confidence speaking in front of others. 

Tufts Mock Trial has four teams of 6-8 members. We are always looking for new, enthusiastic mockers every year! If you think you fit this bill, we encourage you to try out. NO PREVIOUS MOCK TRIAL EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY! New member tryouts are held in September each year. Check our website often for tryout updates, or contact us with any questions.

TRYOUT INFORMATION

What do I have to do? 

TMT tryouts consist of having prospective members perform a direct examination, cross examination and play a witness from the previous year's case. Tryouts are designed to allow us to assess your public speaking abilities and your ability to think critically about the roles you are tasked with performing.

Do I need prior Mock Trial experience?

NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY! In fact, some of our most successful mockers have come to us with no High School Mock Trial Experience. During the Tryout General Interest Meeting in September, a brief explanation of how to construct direct and cross examinations will be given. Current members are always willing to provide advice as you prepare for your tryout.

What do you look for during tryouts?

We look for four characteristics during tryouts:

1) Strong presence and public speaking ability

2) Ability to think critically about the positive and negative aspects of the affidavit of the witness you are tasked with examining or portraying

3) Acting ability as a witness and the skills to "become" a character

4) Motivated, committed, hard-working individuals with an enthusiasm for learning

 5) Critical thinking and the ability to "think on your feet"

Strong candidates will possess all five of these qualities but you need not possess all five of these qualities to be offered a spot on the team. It is the philosophy of TMT that the rules and procedures can be easily taught, but analytical thinking and courtroom presence cannot. Therefore, we look for individuals who demonstrate these qualities, not necessarily those that have prior knowledge of Mock Trial proceedings. That being said, such knowledge will not hurt your chances during tryouts! Ultimately, the tryout process should be viewed as an opportunity for you to demonstrate why you think you deserve a spot on the Tufts Mock Trial Team. But most importantly, your tryout should be FUN!