These questions are valid for the 2013 pageant only. Please check for official rules & regulations regarding the 2014 pageant.
For questions regarding the Little Miss (age 8-9) or Pre Teen (age 10-12) divisions, please email missdcus@gmail.com.
Q: Where can I live to qualify to enter the DC United States pageant?
A: Candidates should reside, attend school or work within a 120 mile radius of the DC zip code 20002.
Q: Does the United States system have a multiple state entry rule?
A: In the United States system, if you qualify for more than one state pageant, you are welcome to enter multiple states, unless 1) both states occur at the same venue on the same dates, 2) you are the outgoing state titleholder for a state pageant being held at the same venue on the same dates, 3) you have been crowned the 2013 state titleholder for another state. All state entry fees and deadlines will apply. Please file for application with each state director separately and inform him/her of your intention to enter multiple states. In fact, if you submit the DC pageant $50.00 deposit to qualify for a registration discount, then enter another state pageant and WIN that state title, your deposit will be contributed toward your national ad fee - so you do not lose that deposit at all!
Q: Can I cover my entry fees through sponsorship?A: Yes, we provide a sponsorship donation button via Paypal, or can accept checks. We can even provide you with a letter that will aid you in gaining sponsorship! Please contact missdcus@gmail.com for directions on how to secure your sponsorship payments. Sponsors will not receive acknowledgement via the DC pageant. It is the responsibility of the title holder to fulfill any agreed upon sponsorship obligation.
Q: What are the DC entry fees?
A: Total due within one week prior to the pageant is $350.00. This includes an event shirt. The deposit is $50.00. You can receive $100.00 off your entry fee by depositing on or before February 1. You can receive $50.00 off your entry fee by depositing on or before March 15. Pay now
Q: What other expenses will I have after the entry fees?
A: There will be no other cash expenses owed directly to the Miss DC United States Pageant. Other expenses to you will include opening number cocktail dress (in a designated color to be announced by March), evening gown, swimwear, interview attire, footwear, jewelry, hair, makeup, transportation, lodging.
A: Transportation and lodging are the candidate's responsibility. We do hope to recommend a preferred hotel in the coming weeks. There is a large DC city-wide convention taking place during this pageant weekend, and the nearest hotels are booked, however the District of Columbia and surrounding areas have many hotel options if you or your family should need overnight stay. If necessary, we advise you make lodging arrangements to arrive by Saturday afternoon to attend Saturday evening orientation, then stay through Sunday or Monday morning. Please note that on Sunday, you will not be able to leave the venue except for a brief lunch and dinner break, therefore we do NOT advise you return to your home or hotel during that break. Tardiness to scheduled activities will be noted by the director and communicated to the judges. Transportation should bring you to the pageant venue at The Sphinx Club - Almas Shriners Temple, 1315 NW K Street, Washington, DC near the McPherson Square Metro Station (Blue and Orange Line). Metro or taxi transportation is available from the Amtrak Train Station, Reagan National Airport and many hotels around the DMV.
A: We will have the opportunity for paid artists at the venue. A schedule will be released at a later date to secure these services. No other makeup or hair technicians will be allowed in the venue. We recommend that you bring all necessary appliances and makeup to the venue, as there will be limited time to prepare for the pageant later in the day / evening.
Q: What do I wear to orientation, rehearsals and interviews?
A: Please look your best at all times with hair styled and makeup applied. We recommend you wear a cute outfit or dress to orientation - no jeans. Guidelines for Sunday's schedule of interviews, photographs and rehearsals will be issued prior to the pageant. Heels are recommended at all times. 
A: Yes. Please read carefully:
- The evening gown should be floor length and flattering to your figure.
- Swimwear may be a one-piece or a bikini in solid colors (no prints or patterns) with no more than two colors used. Rhinestone, nude or clear heels no taller than 4 inches should be worn with your swimsuit. Wedge heels are not advised. Brazilian cut or thong bottoms and triangle tops are not allowed. Bring a flattering cover up robe to wear over your swimsuit.
- Interview attire should be a suit, dress or pant set suitable for a job interview. Length of interview attire skirt or dress should be professional.
- An opening number dress will be advised in general style and color.
- Contestants are not allowed to switch competition attire after preliminaries.
A: Specific questions regarding staging will be answered during orientation. Limited opening number choreography will be taught during rehearsals. We encourage you to practice as much as possible and remain flexible. There will be time for stage rehearsals for each candidate on Sunday.
Q: What questions will I be asked by the judges?
A: The United States interview is a "Round Robin" style, meaning you will meet with each judge individually for a total of three minutes and then rotate judges. A group interview will not be administered. This time is designated for the judge to get to know you, ask you questions from your application and determine one-on-one if you have the qualities necessary to hold the DC United States title. The impromptu on-stage question will be directed to finalists only. Questions may include issues relative to women and girls your age, important national or local interests, or personal experience questions.
A: You will have a whirlwind of exciting plans ahead of you as a District of Columbia United States titleholder. DC titleholders will not encounter conflicts to work or school. Any rescheduling is the decision of the titleholder and her family. Many items are included in your prize package, which will be facilitated in the weeks and months following the state pageant. Additional requirements include:
- May 18-19, 2013 DC Titleholder Sisterhood Weekend - Lodging provided Saturday evening. Schedule to include preparation for nationals with your DC sisters and expert training staff. Activities will include a charity appearance, work out, shopping, photo shoot, makeup, pageant training and national preparation.
- DC sponsorship appearances
- Pageant recruiting appearances
- One appearance for Relay for Life in May / June 2013
- One appearance for Relay for Life in March / April 2014
- One holiday appearance in November / December 2013
- Outgoing titleholder pageant participation - tentatively May 2014
- Opportunities for exciting appearances including parades, fashion shows, television and radio, Capitol Hill events, and more!
- Development of your charitable platform including appearances and/or service projects
- July 3-7, 2013 Miss United States Pageant in Washington, DC. The state director pays for each candidate's $800.00 national entry fee. Titleholder responsibilities include:
**$300.00 national ad fee
**Lodging, transportation, parking (roommates and carpooling will be facilitated)
**Attire - discounts and complimentary items provided in prize package
**Additional requirements as determined by the national board - Titleholders should refrain from the following during her reign:
**Getting married
**Moving outside the permitted radius of DC
**Damaging or modifying the official DC United States sash and crown
**Competing in another pageant system without the consent of the director
**Being conceived in any way as lacking the proper integrity, behavior and attitude necessary to uphold the wholesome, respectable image of the Miss United States Organization.