Welcome Class of 2028, transfers, and fellow students!
We’re so excited you’re interested in joining us. Check out the information below to learn more about our tryout process and get answers to some frequently asked questions. As always, feel free to ask us any questions via Instagram or our email northwesternmt@gmail.com. Good luck and go ‘cats!
Please fill out this interest form!
Important Dates
We will hold six info sessions:
Tuesday, September 24th @ 6pm (University Hall Room 102)
Wednesday, September 25th @ 7pm (Technological Institute Room L-168)
Thursday, September 26th @ 7pm (University Hall Room 102)
Friday, September 27th @ 5pm (University Hall Room 102)
Saturday, September 28th @ 11am (Technological Institute Room L-110)
Saturday, September 28th @ 1pm (Technological Institute Room L-110)
Time and location of tryouts TBD depending on your sign-up slot!
Tryout Information
WHat ARE INFORMATION SESSIONS?
During info sessions, you’ll get the opportunity to learn more about collegiate mock trial, our team in particular, our tryout process, what we’re looking for, and finally, get to sign up for a tryout slot!
You must attend one of the info sessions to sign up for a tryout slot. However, if none of the times work for you, send us an email at northwesternmt@gmail.com and we’ll make sure you’re able to get the information you need to try out.
How do tryouts work?
You’ll get the opportunity to sign up for a tryout slot at the end of each information session. We assign tryout slots based on what info session you attend, so there’s no advantage to going to the very first one or disadvantage to going to the very last one; feel free to choose whichever one is most convenient to you.
During your tryout, we’ll ask you to do three things:
Answer a few questions about yourself, including your interests, your time commitment, and why you want to join our team
Give a short and memorized 1-2 minute opening statement for either the plaintiff or the defense
Answer impromptu questioning as a witness
A few days before your tryout, we’ll email you with a summary of this year’s case and three statements from witnesses. You’ll be asked to use those statements to write your opening and memorize one of them so you can be asked questions as that witness. The choice is completely up to you — whichever witness you choose to portray and whichever side of the case you give your statement from will have no bearing on your tryout, so pick whichever one feels most comfortable for you!
Do I need mock trial experience to try out?
No, not at all! Several of our most talented members came in with no public speaking experience at al!
During the info sessions, we’ll teach you everything you need to know, including examples of what a good tryout looks like. If you want to see more examples of great college mock trial, you can also check out the American Mock Trial Association’s YouTube page. We’re more interested in your public speaking and acting skills than your knowledge of mock trial.
What if I only want to be a lawyer or a witness?
That’s totally fine — many of our members only do one role. We ask you to do both so we can get a sense of your skill in each area — who knows, you might actually surprise yourself! However, amazing witnesses won’t be penalized for not being equally amazing at being a lawyer, and vice versa.
Who is eligible to try out?
Anyone! Each year we get a mix of tryouts from all grade levels. It’s not uncommon for someone who doesn’t get on the team to try out the next year. In fact, it’s how many of our current members got on the team! In order to compete with us, you must be either a current undergraduate student, including if you’re in an accelerated graduate program.