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    Legal Studies: An Introduction to Torts and Civil Law
    In-person Program

    Legal Studies: An Introduction to Torts and Civil Law

    by Vanderbilt Summer Academy

    Vanderbilt’s law summer program explores U.S. torts and civil litigation through landmark cases, legal drafting, and a team mock trial.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Legal Studies at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Academically advanced rising Grades 7-8

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 12-14

    Location / Region

    Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

    Cost

    $2,150

    Duration

    1 week

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Save program
    Accommodation: Ingram Commons; double or triple rooms
    Meals: All meals provided
    Outcome: Written feedback and performance evaluation
    Campus experience: University classrooms and supervised activities
    Tutors / faculty: Kimberly A. Goins, Esq.
    Academic schedule: Approximately 6 hours each weekday

    Legal Studies summary

    This Vanderbilt Summer Academy course introduces U.S. civil law through torts, using landmark cases to explain why people sue and how civil remedies work.

    Students move from case analysis to a team mock trial, drafting legal documents and practicing discovery along the way.

    It suits curious readers who want to test their interest in legal reasoning and the practical work of lawyers.

    What is Legal Studies: An Introduction to Torts and Civil Law?

    Legal Studies: An Introduction to Torts and Civil Law is a Vanderbilt Summer Academy course organized by Vanderbilt University’s Programs for Talented Youth. It introduces the U.S. civil law process through torts, including how harm can lead to compensatory or punitive damages.

    Students analyze landmark cases such as Palsgraf v. Long Island and Summers v. Tice before applying their understanding in a mock civil trial. Team roles involve drafting a complaint and motions, exploring discovery, and practicing the steps lawyers take in civil litigation.

    Why Succeed highlights Legal Studies

    • The course connects landmark case analysis with practical litigation exercises, giving students more to do than listen to legal explanations.

    • Its focus on torts provides a clear starting point for understanding civil wrongs, legal responsibility, and remedies.

    • The listed instructor brings practicing-attorney experience in civil law and eDiscovery.

    • Written evaluations offer useful feedback without the pressure of grades or academic credit.

    • The residential model pairs academic immersion with continuous supervision for middle school participants.

    Who is Legal Studies for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy reading closely, discussing competing interpretations, and collaborating on practical exercises about what civil lawyers do.

    Not ideal if

    You want criminal-law coverage, academic credit, or a loosely structured camp with substantial unsupervised time.

    Is Legal Studies worth it?

    The strongest reason to consider this course is the chance to test whether legal thinking interests you. Reading real cases and drafting documents for a mock trial can reveal whether you enjoy the careful analysis and teamwork behind civil litigation.

    The focus is introductory torts and civil law, so it offers a concentrated taste of legal study rather than a broad survey of every legal field. Treat the instructor’s feedback and your own reflection as the main value; VSA provides no academic credit or university admission advantage.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $2,150; includes Course instruction and materials, Residential housing, Meals, Residential outings and activities.

    Accommodation

    Ingram Commons; double or triple rooms

    Meals

    All meals provided

    Provider details

    Review the Vanderbilt Summer Academy provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1 week; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Legal Studies need?

    Effort level

    High academic concentration within an introductory course.

    Best started

    Begin gathering documents four to six weeks before the next application priority window.

    Main challenge

    Turning close case reading into clear legal documents and coordinated team work.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose the test-score or portfolio documentation route that best represents your academic readiness.

    • If using the portfolio route, request educator recommendations early and draft the essay about your first-choice course.

    • Practice summarizing a legal dispute by identifying the facts, disagreement, and reasoning.

    • Review the residential handbook with your family and plan for a laptop or tablet, bedding, and required health forms.

    Useful if

    You want to explore civil law through both analysis and practice.

    What do students do on Legal Studies?

    You build an introductory understanding of torts through landmark cases, then apply that understanding in a team mock civil trial. The practical work includes legal drafting and discovery activities.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore civil wrongs, harm, and legal remedies in the U.S. civil law process.

    2. 2

      Read and analyze Palsgraf v. Long Island and Summers v. Tice.

    3. 3

      Join a team and take on a role in a civil dispute.

    4. 4

      Draft a complaint and pre-trial motions as part of trial preparation.

    5. 5

      Practice discovery, including activities such as depositions.

    6. 6

      Bring the preparation together in a mock civil trial.

    Legal Studies dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    7-12 June 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    7 January 2026

    2026 application priority window begins.

    Reference date

    Student check-in

    7 June 2026

    1:30-3:30 p.m. Central Time.

    Reference date

    Student check-out

    12 June 2026

    9-11 a.m. Central Time.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Rising seventh- and eighth-grade students.

    • Academic-fit documentation through the test-score or portfolio route.

    • Applications must match the student’s rising grade level.

    • English proficiency documentation when applicable.

    • Health insurance and completed required participant forms.

    How much does Legal Studies cost?

    Application fee

    $50 — Nonrefundable; $100 for international applicants.

    Funding or discounts

    • Tuition deposit: 20% — Nonrefundable and applied to tuition; normally due after placement.
    • Need-based financial aid: For qualifying income or severe hardship; international applicants are ineligible.
    • Airport shuttle: $75 — Round trip; required for students flying into Nashville alone.

    What's included

    Course instruction and materials, Residential housing, Meals, Residential outings and activities

    How to apply to Legal Studies

    1. 1

      Review the course description and the academic-fit requirements for your rising grade.

    2. 2

      Prepare test scores and a transcript, or the required portfolio documents.

    3. 3

      Create or sign in to your PTY SchoolDoc account.

    4. 4

      Rank up to four courses, including only choices you would willingly attend.

    5. 5

      Upload the required documents and pay the nonrefundable application fee.

    6. 6

      If requesting financial aid, complete the linked aid application and upload financial documentation.

    7. 7

      After course placement, follow the emailed deposit instructions and complete required participant forms.

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    What does Legal Studies cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Torts and civil remedies

    Explore civil wrongs, harm or loss, and compensatory and punitive damages.

    Landmark case analysis

    Read Palsgraf v. Long Island and Summers v. Tice to understand torts in practice.

    Legal drafting

    Practice drafting a complaint, pre-trial motions, and other motions.

    Discovery

    Explore discovery through practical activities such as depositions.

    Mock civil trial

    Work in teams and take different roles to apply introductory civil-law knowledge.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Legal Studies?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic classes

    Approximately six hours of accelerated study focused on one course.

    Residential activities

    Organized activities and recreation are supervised by PTY staff.

    Residential hall time

    Seventh- and eighth-grade students remain in their hall until breakfast.

    Who teaches on Legal Studies?

    The listed instructor, Kimberly A. Goins, Esq., is a licensed New York attorney with more than thirteen years of experience across civil and criminal law. Her background includes judicial and district-attorney clerkships, appeals litigation, and extensive eDiscovery practice in Nashville and New York City.

    Each VSA course has a dedicated instructor and teaching assistant.

    Where do students stay on Legal Studies?

    Residential plan

    • Ingram Commons housing: Students live in Vanderbilt’s first-year residential college.
    • Campus meals: All meals are provided, from arrival-day dinner through departure-day breakfast.
    • Pastoral support: Residential proctors support students, and middle school activities are continuously supervised.
    • Activities and community: Organized residential recreation creates opportunities to meet peers outside class.

    Most rooms are doubles, with some triples; roommates are assigned randomly.

    What happens after Legal Studies?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    An introductory foundation for further study of torts and civil law.

    Experience reading landmark legal cases.

    Practice drafting complaints and motions.

    Team experience in a mock civil trial.

    Written instructor feedback to guide future academic development.

    VSA awards no academic credit, and recommendation letters are at the instructor’s discretion.

    Where does Legal Studies take place?

    Students live and study on Vanderbilt University’s campus in Nashville, with residential life centered on the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Nashville International Airport is approximately twenty minutes from campus, and PTY arranges staffed shuttle transport for students flying alone.

    VSA cannot provide airline Unaccompanied Minor escorts.

    Legal Studies FAQs

    The course introduces the U.S. civil law process through torts: civil wrongs that cause harm or loss. Students examine legal recourse, including compensatory and punitive damages.

    Students work in teams and take different roles. Preparation includes drafting a complaint and motions, along with discovery activities such as depositions.

    The listed instructor is Kimberly A. Goins, Esq., a licensed New York attorney with more than thirteen years of legal experience, including civil law and eDiscovery.

    VSA residential life centers on Vanderbilt’s Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Most students share double rooms, some share triples, and all meals are provided.

    Seventh- through tenth-grade students are accompanied by PTY staff throughout the academic day and afternoon and evening activities. Students have a classroom assistant during the day and a residential proctor for evening and overnight support.

    VSA awards neither grades nor academic credit. Students receive written instructor feedback and a performance evaluation.

    PTY offers income-based financial aid for families with adjusted gross income of $105,000 or less, or severe hardship. Admission review is need-blind, and international students are not eligible for PTY financial assistance.

    Admission to VSA is not an indicator of admission to Vanderbilt University. The experience does let students live in first-year residential halls and study in university classrooms.

    Alternatives to Legal Studies

    These options offer related legal, ethical, or philosophical study, with different age groups and locations.

    Alternatives to Legal Studies

    Law Summer Course
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    A law-focused summer course in Cambridge.

    Law & justice
    15 Sep 2026
    From £6295
    14-18
    Cambridge
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    Best for

    Older students seeking law study abroad

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • International Student Information - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Vanderbilt Summer Academy - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Apply to a PTY Program | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • PTY Precollege Admitted Students - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • VSA Frequently Asked Questions - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Apply to VSA! - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • VSA Tuition & Financial Assistance - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Eligibility & Session Dates - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Vanderbilt Summer Academy Summer 2026 Precollege Courses | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course description reviewed

    • Grade eligibility reviewed

    • Session dates verified

    • Application process reviewed

    • Financial aid reviewed

    • Residential supervision reviewed

    • Feedback and credit reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.