FAQ

HSLI Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that the information below reflects policies of the Columbia Law HSLI program. 

What are the dates and times of HSLI for the 2025-2026 season?
Classes are held each Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM. On days with guest speakers, lunch will be provided from 12 PM to 1 PM and the speaker session will be held from 1 PM to 2 PM. The dates of the 2025-26 program are as follows:

  • Fall Semester Dates (2025): Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, and Nov. 15
  • College Day: Oct. 18
  • Spring Semester (2026): Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 14, Feb. 21, Feb. 28, and Mar. 7
  • Graduation: Mar. 7

 

Can I apply to Columbia and NYU's HSLI program?
Yes. Our two programs are separate and you should feel free to apply to either, or both, programs. For NYU-specific information, please contact the HSLI program at NYU Law School at [email protected].

 

Where is Columbia's HSLI program hosted?
Classes and speaker sessions are all hosted on Columbia Law School's campus at 1125 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025.

 

What are the HSLI age requirements?
There are no age requirements to attend the program. We do, however, require students to be enrolled in high school by the time they begin classes with us. This means that students who will be starting their freshman year (i.e. 9th grade) in September can apply to HSLI starting in August 2025.

 

If our family does not live in New York City, may I apply?
Yes. While HSLI students are overwhelmingly New York City residents, residency is not a requirement. In the past, we have had students living in New Jersey and Westchester participate in our program.

 

If I am not a public school student, may I apply?
Yes. HSLI does not make admissions decisions based on where students go to school or what sort of school they attend. Admission is based on the merits of a student’s application.

 

I'm not sure I can attend every single class. Can I still apply?
Yes. While we ask that you make your best efforts to attend every session, we understand that our students are incredibly busy and involved with additional extracurricular activities. Please email us in advance if you are unable to make any classes.

 

When will I know whether I have been accepted or not?
We will be notifying students of their acceptance or rejection into HSLI on September 19, 2025 by email. We ask that students confirm their spot in our program by September 26, 2025 end of day. Once a decision has been made regarding an applicant’s candidacy, it is final for the programmatic year; if a student wishes to apply again in future years, they are welcome to do so.

 

Can I edit my application after I've submitted it?
No. Once an application is submitted to us, any supplemental materials sent afterward will not be considered. Please email us if an unexpected error or issue occurs during the application process.

 

What is the cost of attending HSLI?
None – HSLI is a tuition-free program, made possible by the generosity of Columbia University and Columbia Law students volunteering as teachers.

 

Do HSLI students receive school credit for their work with HSLI?
This is a question for each student’s school. If students are interested in receiving school credit for their work with us, they should first speak to their school staff and then contact us afterwards. 

 

What classes do I take in my first year of HSLI?
Students in their first year at HSLI will take two foundational classes: Constitutional Law and Criminal Law. The substance of these classes are modeled off of the topics and cases that Columbia Law students learn during their first year of law school. These classes will be comprised of background information, lectures, classroom activities, discussion questions, and short homework assignments designed to prepare students for the following week's class.


Can I participate if I already completed one year of HSLI?
Absolutely. Students who have completed one year of HSLI may apply for the Moot Court Program in their second year. The primary focus will be on applying the knowledge that you learned from your first year classes at HSLI to legal analysis and oral arguments. Each student will be responsible for their own case and will be partnered to compete at the moot court competition held on Graduation Day.

Students who have completed two years of HSLI may apply for the advanced specialized seminar. The seminar will focus on in-class academic discussions and out-of-class reading assignments. The 2025 fall seminar topic will focus on criminal procedure and wrongful convictions; the 2026 spring seminar topic will focus on human rights and international law.

 

Are guest speaker sessions mandatory?
Yes. Attending guest speaker sessions will be mandatory. They are a great learning experience and opportunity to speak with various professionals in the legal world. Please email us in advance if you are unable to make a session for any reason.

 

My question is not on this list. What should I do?
Please feel free to email us any questions you have at [email protected].

 

I am a parent/school staff member/other interested non-student party. My question is also not on this list. What should I do?
Please feel free to email us any questions you have at [email protected].

 

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