Break Into Law School® Podcast

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, and Audible

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Break into Law School® is the podcast for students who are ready to break down generational barriers to law school and walk confidently into their future.

This podcast provides transparent, quality, and ethical law school advice in a way that is uplifting and relatable.

Sydney Montgomery, Esq, is a law school admissions consultant specializing in working with first-generation and minority applicants. She herself is a first-generation graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School. Through Barrier Breakers®, she and our team have helped over 7,000 students gain admission to law school.

Are you struggling with information overload? Are you getting lost in Reddit and Google? Are you feeling stuck, not sure what to write about, not sure how to even begin the application process? Join a community of students who are choosing to stop the cycle of confusion and missed opportunities and find quality and ethical answers to their application questions.

No scare tactics here. No tearing people down. No shaming anyone. This show is all about leading with love, uplifting you, and encouraging you as you step confidently into your career as an attorney.

Meet Your Hosts

Ep 114: A Deep Dive Into Life as a Labor Law Attorney with Bernstein Shur
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Ep 114: A Deep Dive Into Life as a Labor Law Attorney with Bernstein Shur

Join us for an inspiring conversation as we delve into the world of labor and employment law as well as LLM programs with Tara Walker. Discover how Tara's unconventional journey from a tiny Alaskan town led her to specialize in labor law. Find out how her LLM program in Europe transformed her perspective on constitutional rights and influenced her career. Tara shares her insights and experiences in this episode, offering valuable advice for aspiring lawyers. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion on the intersection of law, policy, and making a difference.

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Ep 113: Are Law School Early Decision Programs Worth It?
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Ep 113: Are Law School Early Decision Programs Worth It?

In this episode, Sydney discusses the intricacies of early action, early decision, and rolling admissions in the context of law school applications. She addresses common misconceptions and offers insights into the advantages and considerations of applying under various admission timelines, including early action and early decision. The episode also delves into how applying early may impact scholarships and financial considerations for law school applicants. Listen in as we provide valuable advice and debunk myths surrounding the application process.

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Ep 112: A Lifetime of Supporting Applicants: Meet Dr. Nadia Castriota, Law School Admissions Consultant
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Ep 112: A Lifetime of Supporting Applicants: Meet Dr. Nadia Castriota, Law School Admissions Consultant

We have yet another special guest, Dr. Nadia Castriota, who has joined the Barrier Breakers® team as a consultant. In this episode, Dr. Castriota and discusses her extensive experience in law school admissions. Nadia shares her background, her journey through higher education, and her passion for supporting students from diverse backgrounds, including moms and those with various life experiences. She offers valuable advice for aspiring law school applicants, emphasizing the importance of seeking support and resources throughout the admissions process.

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Ep 111: How to Ace Your Law School Exams with Jeremy Paul + Richard Michael Fischl
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Ep 111: How to Ace Your Law School Exams with Jeremy Paul + Richard Michael Fischl

In this insightful interview, coauthors of the book "Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams," Jeremy Paul and Richard Fischl, share their wisdom on excelling in law school exams. They discuss the origins of the book, the common mistakes students make, and essential skills for success. Discover valuable tips and perspectives to help you break into law school with confidence. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from experienced educators and authors who have guided countless students to success in law school.

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Ep 110: Applying to Law School as a Puerto Rican: What Are My Options?
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Ep 110: Applying to Law School as a Puerto Rican: What Are My Options?

In this episode, Cynthia Rivera discusses the key factors and components that make up a strong law school application, with a specific focus on applicants from Puerto Rico. She covers topics such as the LSAT, language proficiency, application requirements, and the importance of researching law schools. Whether you're applying to a law school in Puerto Rico or in the United States, this video provides valuable insights for all of it.

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Ep 109: Application Strategies for Aspiring Law Students with Wisconsin Law
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Ep 109: Application Strategies for Aspiring Law Students with Wisconsin Law

Join us for an engaging conversation with Rebecca Scheller, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin Law School. In this interview, we delve into her journey into admissions, share valuable application tips, and explore the ways the university supports first-generation BIPOC students. Discover the unique aspects of the Wisconsin Law School program and gain insights into the application process. Don't miss out on this informative discussion!

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Ep 108: Navigating The Legal Game: Finance & Sports Law with CJ Donald
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Ep 108: Navigating The Legal Game: Finance & Sports Law with CJ Donald

Welcome to another episode of Break Into Law School! In this insightful conversation, our host, LoVetta Jenkins, sits down with CJ Donald, a seasoned lawyer specializing in financial transactions and sports law at Hayes and Boone LLP. CJ shares his journey from college to law school, providing valuable insights for aspiring law students and those interested in sports law and finance.

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Ep 107: How to Manage Burnout During the Law School Application Process
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Ep 107: How to Manage Burnout During the Law School Application Process

In this episode, Alice discusses burnout during the law school application process. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, leaning on friends for support, and maintaining a social life while navigating the demanding application journey. Alice provides valuable insights and advice to help applicants avoid burnout and make the most of their law school application experience. If you're feeling overwhelmed or worried about burnout, watch this video for guidance and remember that taking care of yourself is essential.

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Ep 106: Empowering Future Latinx Lawyers: Meet Cynthia Rivera, Law School Admissions Consultant
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Ep 106: Empowering Future Latinx Lawyers: Meet Cynthia Rivera, Law School Admissions Consultant

In celebration of National Latinx Heritage Month, meet Cynthia Rivera, one of our newest Law School Associate Consultants. Learn about her inspiring journey as a first-generation Puerto Rican college graduate and lawyer and discover how she's helping first-gen and minority law school applicants succeed. Join us in this insightful interview as we discuss her experiences, insights into law school admissions, and her passion for increasing diversity in the legal field. Don't miss this opportunity to get to know Cynthia and gain valuable insights into your law school application journey.

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Ep 105: Best Tips & Practices To Get Through Law School with DeAndré Aubry
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Ep 105: Best Tips & Practices To Get Through Law School with DeAndré Aubry

Join us for an insightful conversation with DeAndré Aubry, founder of Legally Fit, as he shares his journey from a first-generation law student to a successful attorney and educator. Discover valuable tips for thriving in law school and preparing for the bar exam. In this episode, DeAndre discusses the importance of preparing your life for law school, breaking down common mistakes law students make, and the need for better support and representation for BIPOC students in legal education. He also introduces Legally Fit's services, including law school coaching and bar prep, and highlights the 1L Club, a valuable resource for first-year law students. Whether you're a pre-law student or already in law school, this conversation offers essential insights to help you succeed in your legal education journey. 

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Ep 102: How to Get Fee Waivers for Law School Applications
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Ep 102: How to Get Fee Waivers for Law School Applications

Are you concerned about the high cost of applying to law school? In this video, we discuss six effective ways to obtain fee waivers for your law school applications. From LSAC fee waivers to admissions events and more, we'll show you how to save money and make the application process more affordable.

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Ep 101: Should You Draft Your Own Letter of Recommendation?
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Ep 101: Should You Draft Your Own Letter of Recommendation?

Welcome to today's episode where we delve into the intricate world of letters of recommendation. Are you facing the daunting task of writing your own letter? Don't fret, because in this episode, we're here to help.

Sometimes, even when you've done everything right—completed the necessary work, built a strong relationship with your recommender, and asked for their assistance well in advance—their busy schedule may hinder them from writing the letter themselves. In such cases, they might suggest that you write it instead, and they'll simply review, sign, and submit it. But is this the right approach? Is it odd to write your own letter of recommendation? Well, the answer, not surprisingly, is that it depends.

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Ep 99: Should You Talk About Race in Your Law School Application Essays?
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Ep 99: Should You Talk About Race in Your Law School Application Essays?

With the recent Supreme Court decision, the landscape has changed when it comes to discussing race. While race itself can no longer be a direct factor in admissions, aspects related to it, like socioeconomics and discrimination, can still contribute to building a diverse law school class. Join us as we explore the various avenues where you can talk about race in your application process. We'll walk you through four key areas where you can incorporate race: the personal statement, diversity statement, why us essays, and resumes/letters of recommendations.

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Ep 97: How to Financially Prepare for 1L Year
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Ep 97: How to Financially Prepare for 1L Year

Starting law school can be stressful, especially when it comes to understanding your new financial future. In this video, we'll walk you through some valuable tips and resources to help you manage your finances like a pro. We discuss how to create a budget tailored to your law school journey using Max PreLaw by AccessLex, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting aspiring law students, as well as YNAB.

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Ep 96: Should You Write About Faith in Your Law School Application Essays?
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Ep 96: Should You Write About Faith in Your Law School Application Essays?

As a faith-based organization, we believe in serving the whole person, providing comprehensive support to applicants beyond just essay guidance. For today's episode, Sydney talks about how you can talk about faith in your law school applications. She advises against using your application to preach or attempt to persuade the admissions committee but instead encourages genuine storytelling about your faith experiences and how they've shaped your perspective and aspirations. She also explores the best places to share your faith journey, such as your personal statement, diversity statement, why us essay, and resume.

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Ep 95: Is September Too Late To Take The LSAT?
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Ep 95: Is September Too Late To Take The LSAT?

With July coming to an end, it's time to think about registering for the September LSAT. For today's episode, Alice addresses a common concern: Is September too late to take the LSAT? Don't fret and listen in as she also shares some valuable insights about timing your law school application.

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Ep 94: Supreme Court Ruling Impact on Law School Admissions
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Ep 94: Supreme Court Ruling Impact on Law School Admissions

For today’s episode, we dive into the recent Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions policies, often referred to as affirmative action. The ruling prohibits schools from explicitly considering race as a factor in admissions decisions, leading to potential changes in the application process. If you’re a student of color applying to law school this cycle, you might be wondering about these potential changes. Don’t worry, we have you covered in this week’s episode, and are here to help you understand the implications of it all. We delve into the arguments made by the court and examine the impact on schools and their efforts to promote diversity. We also address the potential impact on law school essays. So listen in as we provide insights on alternative factors schools may consider and offer guidance on crafting strong law school applications in light of the ruling.

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