Making the Case for the NAPLA Conference 

NAPLA’s conference returns in-person this year, and just in time for the fiftieth anniversary!  Have a look at the conference schedule here. We’re delighted that many of our members have already made plans to attend.  At the same time, we recognize that others in our region may be on the fence–or perhaps are unfamiliar with the event.  In the four years since we’ve held it, many new colleagues have joined pre-law advising, workloads and priorities have shifted, and budgets have gotten tighter all around.  

Below you’ll find some information about the program and costs, followed by testimonials from NAPLA members about the significant value they find in this conference.  If you’re unsure whether you’ll attend, we hope that this convinces you to make it a priority.  And if you’re struggling to find support at your institution, we hope this will help you to make the case.  Feel free to reach out to napla.org@gmail.com at any time with questions.  

We hope to see you in DC: Register Here!

What is the NAPLA Conference?

This is an annual professional development event for NAPLA members, typically held in partnership with one or more schools in the NAPLA region.  This year we’re pleased to be partnering with all seven schools in the Washington, DC, area: American University, Catholic University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, and the University of DC.

The NAPLA Conference is held three out of every four years, with the off year being reserved for the Pre-Law Advisors National Council (PLANC) Conference.  After this year, PLANC will meet in New Orleans in 2024, and then our next NAPLA Conference will be held in 2025 (location TBA).  

This conference presents one of the best opportunities for pre-law advisors to network with colleagues, build connections with key players in law school admissions and legal education, and, most importantly, to share resources, to collaborate on common challenges, and to catch up on the latest developments in our field.  

This year in particular, as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary, there’s plenty to discuss: an admissions landscape roiled by COVID, withdrawals from the US News Rankings, and a pending decision on affirmative action; looming changes to standardized testing in admissions; fresh calls to support our underrepresented and first-generation students; the rise of AI in schools and courtrooms; and new developments in legal hiring.  We’ve got it all covered!

This year’s program comprises:

• A robust slate of concurrent and roundtable sessions, hosted by pre-law advisors, admissions officers, and representatives from non-profit organizations and vendors.  The full program is now available on our website.  Have a look!

• Plenary sessions, including a deep-dive into the latest data on legal hiring; an update from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC); and a landmark study on mental health and well-being among law school students

• A law school and vendor fair

• Tours of every host law school

• Plenty of opportunities for networking over meals and at our evening receptions

What does the registration cost cover?

The registration cost, which we have chosen not to increase from the last conference, covers quite a lot! 

Here it is, by the numbers:

• Four days of programming, including: three plenaries, ten concurrent sessions, four roundtables, and three new breakout sessions, where attendees will be able to talk directly with LSAC staff

• Seven meals, including three breakfasts, three lunches, and a dinner,  plus two evening receptions AND the opportunity for another small-group dinner with one of our sponsors

• Bus and metro travel to all conference events

• One annual NAPLA membership, which provides access to all of the resources on the NAPLA website and access to the rest of this year’s programming

Two hotel options are available for conference attendees, including a lower-cost block ($139/night) at the Holiday Inn in Arlington, VA, just across the river from downtown DC and very near to George Mason University.  Both hotels are very close to DC metro stations and will be serviced by conference buses.  See the conference page for more info.

Find out what others have to say about the value of the conference on the Testimonials page!