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
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LoVetta Jenkins
Content Curator at Barrier Breakers
LoVetta is a Multimedia Journalist with a Master's Degree in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. She's most passionate about sharing knowledge with others and being a champion for positivity.
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Nadia Castriota, Ph.D
Associate Law School Consultant at S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting
Nadia studied at Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and St. Thomas University. She has nearly 20 years of experience in graduate admissions.
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Cynthia Rivera
Associate Law School Consultant at S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting
Cynthia was raised in Puerto Rico before attending Cornell University and the University of Virginia School of Law. She is dedicated to helping law school applicants discover their strengths and maximize their potential.
Ep 21: Should You Register For The November LSAT?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss the circumstances in which it makes sense to register for the November LSAT, and what your game plan should be before taking the exam.
Ep 20: 3 Things To Avoid In Your Personal Statement
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am going to discuss the top 3 things you should never include in your law school personal statement.
Ep 19: Don't Overestimate Your LSAT
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss how to truly contextualize your LSAT score and find your sense of confidence in the application process outside of your LSAT. I am also going to talk about ways you can feel secure and calm about testing, as well as testing timelines that will work best for you.
Ep 18: Applying to a JD/MBA Program
In today's episode of Break Into Law School, I am joined by Judy Young, CEO of College Excellence and MBA consultant. We discuss how the application process differs for JD and MBA programs, and what the preparation process actually looks like when planning for joint degrees.
Ep 17: Is October Too Late to Take the LSAT?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss whether October is too late to take the LSAT exam. I will talk about timelines, application priorities, and the difference in benefits between the August, October, and November LSATs.
Ep 16: Equity in Law School Admissions with Kellye Testy, LSAC President, Vincent Rougeau and Kyle McEntee
Listen to a timely conversation about equity in law admissions; recruitment, rankings and debt. I had the privilege of moderating this panel of experts: Kellye Testy (President of the Law School Admissions Council) Dean Vincent Rougeau (Dean of Boston College Law School; President of the American Association for Law Schools; incoming president of the College of the Holy Cross) and Kyle McEntee (Executive director of Law School Transparency)
Ep 15: What to Do Before Your LSAT Exam (2021)
In today's episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to talk about what to do the night (or the week) before your LSAT exam. Specifically, I'm going to cover: How to be in the right mindset the week leading up to your test. What to make sure you do to ensure success leading up to the test. What to do the night before your test. Mindset on test day.
Ep 14: Carving Out Time for Applications
In today's episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to be discussing realistic expectations for how much time should be allocated for your application materials. I'm also going to share tips and techniques for making sure you complete your application materials on time while juggling your work schedule and personal life.
Ep. 13 Which Law Schools Should You Apply To?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am going to be talking about what factors you should take into consideration when building your law school list. How important are rankings? How do you weigh scholarship options and geography? I am going to bust some myths and share what is truly crucial during this step of the process.
Ep 12: Building Relationships with Admissions Committees
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss the three main ways you can build a relationship with law school admissions committees. Fostering a relationship with those in admissions is an important part of your application process, and this step is often overlooked by students.
Ep 11: Tips for Conquering the LSAT with Accommodations
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am joined by Jasmeene Burton-Martin, incoming Northwestern Law student, former boot camp student and current instructor at S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting. We will be talking about how to conquer the LSAT when you need accommodations. How do you prepare for the LSAT with text anxiety? ADHD? A learning disability? We'll discuss how to ask for the right accommodations, who to talk to, and when to make your request.
Ep 10: Who Should You Get To Write Your Law School Letters of Recommendation
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to talk about securing your letters of recommendation for your law school application. I'm going to discuss who to ask, how to ask, and why the contents of your letter are such a crucial part of your application.
Ep 09: Staying Motivated Through The Law School Application Process
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to talk about staying motivated through the law school application process. I want to touch on three points:
1. How to avoid and combat negative thoughts and limiting beliefs.
2. How to stay focused on your journey.
3. How to avoid burnout and make time for rest.
Ep 08: 5 Things To Avoid In Your Personal Statement
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss the 5 big mistakes you want to avoid when writing your personal statement. Your essays are an incredibly important part of your law school application and they can make or break your acceptance. I want to help you improve your chances by explaining what not to do, and what to do instead.
Ep 07: What Makes a Strong Personal Statement?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am going to talk about what makes a strong personal statement. How do you effectively sell yourself as a great law school candidate and craft an application that leaves an impact on the admissions committee? There are crucial do's and don'ts when it comes to writing a winning personal statement, and I explain why this matters.
Ep 06: Is the 2021-2022 Law School Application Cycle Going to Be More Competitive
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I discuss whether the 2021-2022 law school application cycle is going to be as competitive as the 2020-2021 law school admissions cycle. We take a look back at the factors that made this past law school admissions cycle the most competitive cycle in ABA history and the factors that I believe will contribute to this law school admissions cycle being just as competitive. We will also go over what you can do to prepare for this upcoming law school admissions cycle.
Ep 05: Creating a Timeline for Your Law School Application
In this episode of Break Into Law School, we are going to be talking about how to make a plan for your law school applications. We're going to talk about how to make a plan for your LSAT and for studying. We're going to talk about how to make a plan for your letters of recommendation. And we're going to be talking about how to make a plan for your law school personal statement and optional essays.
Ep 04: Score Higher on the LSAT with Mindfulness
This episode of Break into Law School is all about using mindfulness to score higher on your LSAT exam. And I'm so excited that I have with me. Grantly Neely the owner and founder of Granite Test Prep in Nashville, Tennessee, here to talk to us about mindfulness.
Ep 03: Applying to Law School with a Low GPA
This episode of Break into Law School is going to talk about how to write and structure an effective GPA or LSAT addendum for your law school applications.
Ep 02: When Should You Apply to Law School?
When is the best time to apply to law school and is now too late? I'm going to break down three different stages of timing. What is considered early. What is considered on time. And what is really starting to push it and be a little bit too late to maximize your chances for acceptance and for scholarship.