Future Latino Leaders Law Camp

July 6–13, 2008 Washington, DC

2008 Application

Application Deadline: April 7, 2008

APPLICATION CHECKLIST
(check  these items off before mailing your application!)

 Applicant Data Form

 Rules and Regulations Form
 Essays (attach separate sheets for your responses)
 Two letters of recommendation (from teachers, counselors, or employers)
 Resume of your community service or civic activities
 Certified copy of your academic record from high school

Mail your complete application to:

Hispanic National Bar Foundation
c/o Law Camp
1900 K St. NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20006
 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in applying to participate in the Hispanic National Bar Foundation’s
2008 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp. Please read carefully the information on this page before
completing your application.

The Future Latino Leaders Law Camp was established in 2005 by the HNBF to provide Latino high
school students like you with the opportunity to learn more about the legal profession. It will be
held July 6–13, 2008 in Washington, DC and all participants will stay on the campus of
Georgetown University. Students will visit various government buildings and offices where they
will have the opportunity to meet with lawyers, judges, and officials of the United States
government. They will also have the opportunity to attend sessions on the legal profession and
participate in a Mock Trial Competition, in which different students will play the part of an
attorney as a part of a legal team, coached by their Law Camp Counselors.

In order to apply and participate, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Be a high school student entering your sophomore, junior, or senior year, or be a recent
graduate
2. Have an interest in learning about law school and becoming a lawyer
3. Be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or be a legal U.S. visitor with a valid visa and
passport
4. Have a demonstrated interest in helping your community and building your leadership skills

Although there is no cost to participate, accepted students must pay a $50 registration fee to the
HNBF, unless a waiver of this fee is requested and granted. Students are also responsible for
arranging transportation to Washington, DC. The HNBF covers all other costs associated with the
Law Camp. Do not let cost of transportation to DC deter you from applying! Upon your
acceptance to the program, we are committed to working with you and your family to ensure your
ability to attend.

In order to apply, the HNBF must receive the following materials by the April 7, 2008 deadline:
 Applicant Data Form
 Rules and Regulations Form
 Essays (attach separate sheets for your responses)
 Two (2) letters of recommendation (from teachers, counselors, or employers)
 Resume of your community service or civic activities
 Certified copy of your academic record from high school

Thank you again for your interest in applying. Once we receive your complete application, we will
notify you by email, and we will contact accepted applicants by May 2, 2008. If you have any
questions about the Law Camp or the application process, please contact Alexander Steffler,
Program Coordinator, at (202) 496-7743 or asteffler@hnbf.org.

Magda Herrera, Esq. Alexander Steffler

Executive Director Program Coordinator

Page 2 2008 Law Camp Application

 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
APPLICANT DATA

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
First Middle Initial Last Prefer to Be Called

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

City:__________________________________ State: _____________________ ZIP: ____________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone Number Cell Phone Number

Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

(Please check your email regularly, as this will be our primary method of communication.)

Date of Birth:_______/_______/__________ Place of Birth: _________________________________________

MONTH DAY YEAR

Describe your ethnic background: ______________________________________________________________

Name of Parent or Legal Guardian: _____________________________________________________________

Parent’s Address (if different from above): _______________________________________________________

City State ZIP
Parent’s Work Phone: ________________________________________________________________________

Parent’s highest education level completed:

 Some High School High School  Some College  College or Graduate Degree (e.g., master’s or doctorate)

High School Information

___________________________________________________________________________________________
High School Name Phone Number

___________________________________________________________________________________________
Address City State ZIP

What is your current grade level?

 Freshman  Sophomore  Junior  Senior

How did you hear about the Future Latino Leaders Law Camp? (select all that apply)

 HNBF Web Site  Teacher  Former Law Camp participant

 Other (please specify):_____________________________________________________________________

T-Shirt Size (Adult):  Small  Medium  Large  Extra Large

Page 3 2008 Law Camp Application
 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. Must be a high school student (age 15–18) with a minimum grade point average of 2.3.

2. Must make a commitment to follow through and participate in all aspects of the Law Camp, including the
challenging study and preparation for the Mock Trial and remain in contact after conclusion of Law Camp.

3. Student cannot during the term of the Law Camp engage in any other work or occupation.

4. Must comply with rules of conduct and appropriate dress as directed by the Law Camp staff.

5. Parent or Legal Guardian shall be responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the Law Camp site
in Washington, DC.

6. Parents are responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of the student violating any of the rules
and regulations of the Law Camp, including any additional transportation costs if the student is expelled
from the Law Camp.

7. Students shall be supervised at all times by the Law Camp staff. Students shall not be permitted to have any
unsupervised time or activities away from the Program.

8. Students must have proof of citizenship, permanent residency, visa, or a passport in order to obtain access to
certain government buildings.

We agree to the conditions and restrictions set forth on the reverse side of this application. I have read and
understand the Regulations governing the Law Camp and my participation. If I am accepted into the Law
Camp I agree to abide by the Regulations and to take part in any publicity arising from the Law Camp.

_________________________________ _________________________________
Student’s Signature Parent or Legal Guardian’s Signature

_________________________________ _________________________________
Date Date

Page 4 2008 Law Camp Application

 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
ESSAYS
In selecting students for the Future Latino Leaders Law Camp, the HNBF requires each applicant to submit two
essays. On separate sheets of paper, please respond to the following essay prompts and attach them to your
application. Be sure to include your name on your essays.

You must respond to each of the following two prompts:

1. Why do you want to participate in the Law Camp program? How will participating in the
program benefit you? (1–2 paragraphs)

2. Write a personal statement, addressing any aspect of yourself you feel is relevant to why and
how you would benefit from taking part in the Law Camp program. A few example questions
you may want to address in your personal statement are below. (Minimum 1 page double spaced,
maximum 2 double-spaced pages)
 What has been the most difficult challenge you have overcome in your life? How has it
affected you?
 Who is your most important role model, and why?
 Do you feel being Hispanic/Latino is an asset? If so, why? If not, why not?
 What is diversity? Is diversity important? Why or why not?
 What do you think makes you a future Latino leader?

Note: Additional resources that you may find useful in writing your personal statement—including
sample essays, links to resources on writing of this type, and a frequently-asked questions
(FAQ) section—are available online at www.hnbf.org.

Page 5 2008 Law Camp Application

 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FORM
Name of Applicant: _________________________________________________________________________

Recommender’s Name:_________________________________ Title: ______________________________

Mailing Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City State ZIP

Daytime Phone:__________________________________ Email: __________________________________

Note to Recommender:
The Hispanic National Bar Foundation provides high school students from the United States and Latin
America with the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, DC at the Georgetown University campus
learning about the legal profession from leaders in the Hispanic community. Your thorough and candid
evaluation, as a supplement the student’s application essays and academic record, will assist the HNBF in
selecting the participants of the 2008 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp.

If you have any questions about the Law Camp or the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, please contact
Alexander Steffler, Program Coordinator, at (202) 496-7743 or asteffler@hnbf.org or see www.hnbf.org.
1. How long and in what capacity have you known this applicant?

2. Please rate the applicant on the following traits, providing comments as necessary:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Comments
Initiative    
Dependability    
Academic performance    
Intellectual ability    
Maturity and self-confidence    
Ability to express him/herself    
Work ethic and responsibility    
Leadership skills    

3. Finally, on a separate sheet of paper, state your overall recommendation for this student, providing an
assessment of his/her character, qualifications, and potential for success as a participant in the Future Latino
Leaders Law Camp. Please include details about his/her strengths and weaknesses based on your
knowledge of his/her work and abilities.

Recommender’s Signature:____________________________________________ Date: __________________

* Please return this form to the applicant in a sealed envelope before the April 7, 2008 deadline. Your responses
will be considered confidential and will not be released to the applicant without your written authorization.
Page 6 2008 Law Camp Application
 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FORM
Name of Applicant: _________________________________________________________________________

Recommender’s Name:_________________________________ Title: ______________________________

Mailing Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City State ZIP

Daytime Phone:__________________________________ Email: __________________________________

Note to Recommender:
The Hispanic National Bar Foundation provides high school students from the United States and Latin
America with the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, DC at the Georgetown University campus
learning about the legal profession from leaders in the Hispanic community. Your thorough and candid
evaluation, as a supplement the student’s application essays and academic record, will assist the HNBF in
selecting the participants of the 2008 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp.

If you have any questions about the Law Camp or the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, please contact
Alexander Steffler, Program Coordinator, at (202) 496-7743 or asteffler@hnbf.org or see www.hnbf.org.
1. How long and in what capacity have you known this applicant?

2. Please rate the applicant on the following traits, providing comments as necessary:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Comments
Initiative    
Dependability    
Academic performance    
Intellectual ability    
Maturity and self-confidence    
Ability to express him/herself    
Work ethic and responsibility    
Leadership skills    

3. Finally, on a separate sheet of paper, state your overall recommendation for this student, providing an
assessment of his/her character, qualifications, and potential for success as a participant in the Future Latino
Leaders Law Camp. Please include details about his/her strengths and weaknesses based on your
knowledge of his/her work and abilities.

Recommender’s Signature:____________________________________________ Date: __________________

* Please return this form to the applicant in a sealed envelope before the April 7, 2008 deadline. Your responses
will be considered confidential and will not be released to the applicant without your written authorization.
Page 7 2008 Law Camp Application