FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

Question: When is the conference?
Answer: Friday, April 6th, 2018 and Saturday, April 7th, 2018 (Optional Bonus Day: Washington, DC Area Law School Tours – Thursday, April 5th, 2018)

Question: Where can I find out even more about the event?
Answer: Here at our official website at www.diversityprelawconference.org. We would also be happy to e-mail you an event information booklet. Feel free to call us or e-mail us for further information.

Question: Who can I contact to address specific questions about the event?
Answer: Call us at 281-944-LAW4 or e-mail us at info@diversityprelawconference.org.

Question: What is the cost?
Answer: Registration is completely free of charge! However, seating is first-come, first-serve. Make sure that you get to the conference site early and be ready to engage, learn and leave with much more than you came with!

Question: If I don’t have the personal funds to make this trip to Washington, DC, what do I do?
Answer: It is very important to be resourceful.  Instead of thinking “I can’t”, starting asking the question “How can I? ” Then, consider your options for finding a way. Think positively and recognize that when there is a will there is a way. If you are a student and don’t have any personal income, there are people who would be willing to help you. Talk to your school if you are still an undergraduate. Talk to your pre-law advisor, instructors, minority/diversity advisors, etc. Ask your school to sponsor your trip. In return, ask if you can go back to your school and conduct a special presentation open to the entire student body where you share what you learned with other interested students at your school who are not able to attend. Be creative. Think about ways you can give something of value back in return for your school or organization sponsoring your trip.  Remember that nothing is free, so you want to give an exchange. We also encourage you to ask family members, friends, associates, and people you know, as well as organizations you are a part of to be your sponsors. Tell them that you are an aspiring lawyer and are raising funds for a trip to a national conference in our Nation’s Capital. Do some research. Understand the arguments for why diversity is important in law schools – so that you can contribute and share a diverse perspective in and outside the classroom, and develop friendships with classmates who may have never gotten to know someone like you. Understand your value and what you have to offer as an individual and based on your social identity and experiences. Give concrete reasons why it is important for you to get the information and make the connections available at the event and the fact that you otherwise would not have this chance. Write out your budget for the trip seeking out the lowest possible hotel and bus or airfare you can find. When you take the initiative, and show people you are serious and what you can personally contribute and that you are looking for the least expensive, most cost effective way to make this happen, then many would be willing to help you. Don’t buy into the mentality of excuses. You have to be relentless, especially since you are interested in pursuing a profession that does not reward passivity. Also, ask local lawyers groups and law firms. Ask. Ask. Ask. Don’t get discouraged if you get no response or a “no”. Someone will be willing to help you, even if they can only contribute a few dollars. Every cent counts. If you have to, conduct fundraisers. Sell candy, baked goods, t-shirts. Wash cars.  Think of a service you can provide in exchange for a fee. It is possible to come up with a few hundred dollars for an experience that can change your life. It is an investment in your future. I’m sure you have wanted something badly and figured out a way to get it before. This is no different. If an opportunity like this is provided, you must ask yourself “How badly do I want law school?” If you are serious, then we know you find a way to get there and will attend, especially since you don’t have to worry about a high registration fee that is typically attached to conference attendance.

Question:  What if I don’t have much money? Can you tell me ways that I can cut costs so the trip can be more affordable?
Answer: Attendance at the conference on a very tight budget is possible and does not have to be expensive as long as you plan in advance. You may have to go through a budget airline which requires you to leave earlier or later than you prefer at a discounted rate. Take a bus or train instead of a plane. Share rooms with a roommate, or at worst, if you can find a suite hotel, share with a small group of other pre-law students instead of having your own room. Choose a value hotel as you will spend most of your time at the conference while in town and not in your hotel room. Let us know if you are interested in attending and sharing rooms with another attendee. We are glad to try to connect you with someone also interested in sharing rooms. You may have to come to town with a specific budget whereby you save a small amount of money for snacks and other meals you want. The conference does not have to cost a lot if you carefully consider these issues in advance and plan accordingly.  

Question: What is the expected attire for the event?
Answer: All attendees should plan to dress in business casual or business professional attire. This means business suits, blouses, dress shirts and slacks. If you don’t have these types of clothes in your wardrobe, then do your best. We will not turn you away because of the clothes you are wearing, so wear the best you have and come so you can learn and connect with others with similar aspirations and those who want to help you.

Question: What is the fee for the visits to the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol?
Answer: There is no fee for visits to the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol.