The Harvard Undergraduate Moot Court (HUMC) Legal Essay Contest is a free annual writing competition for high school students organized by a Harvard College student organization. Participants submit an 850-word essay responding to a prompt on a legal topic, which is scored by HUMC team members.
Format:
The competition takes place entirely online. Students write an 850-word original essay responding to the official prompt published on the contest page. There is no registration fee and no in-person component.
Prizes:
- First place: $100 cash prize and a certificate
- Top scorers may receive optional college application mentorship from HUMC members
Judging:
Essays are read and scored by Harvard undergraduate members of the Moot Court organization. Judging criteria focus on legal reasoning, argumentation, and clarity of writing.
Entry cap:
The contest accepts the first 100 entries submitted. Once 100 essays are received, submissions close regardless of the listed deadline. Submit early to secure a spot.
2026 contest:
The submission deadline is October 2, 2026, or when 100 entries are received — whichever comes first. The prompt is published on the contest page.