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 41: How to Decide Between Your Law School Offers
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss how to decide between your offers of admissions.
Ep 40: What to Do if You Haven't Heard Back From Law Schools
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss what to do if you haven't yet heard back from law schools.
Ep 39: How to Approach Scholarship Negotiations
Many of you have started to receive offers and acceptances (yay!) and this season always brings with it the conversation of scholarship "negotiation." In this episode, I discuss this term and ways you can approach this process with a different and, arguably, healthier perspective. I will also share some personal stories of how I approached admissions and attained more money.
Ep 38: All About Pipeline Programs
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss what a legal pipeline program is and when you should start applying. I am also going to talk about how to figure out which pipeline is right for you, how it will actually benefit you, and I'll share examples of some great pipelines for you to check out.
Ep 37: Navigating Admissions, Mental Health, and Scholarship Negotiations with Mike Spivey
Today I am joined by Mike Spivey, former dean of admissions at Vanderbilt Law School and founder of Spivey Consulting Group. In this episode, we discuss the changing landscape of the admissions world, interesting stories from his time as Dean, processing and navigating mental health in the application process, and how to approach scholarship negotiations. It's a special episode and I'm lucky to call Mike a friend of mine.
Ep 36: Can You Still Apply This Late in the Cycle?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I want to have an honest discussion about application timing. It's February and I know many applicants are wondering if it's too late in the cycle to still apply. I specifically am going to discuss who can still apply, who would really benefit by postponing their application, and how you should feel about the February and March LSAT.
Ep 35: How Much Debt is Law School Worth?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to be talking all about debt. How much debt should you be taking out for law school? How does debt relate to your future career as a lawyer? How can you minimize the amount of debt you'll have after you graduate? The good news is you don't have to pay off loans forever just to attend law school. Conversely, you don't have to give up a top school just to live debt-free.
Ep 34: You've Been Waitlisted, Now What?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I want to talk about waitlists. What does it really mean to be waitlisted? Should you be happy about it? What steps should you take once you've been put on the waitlist? I am going to discuss these questions as well as what to include in your letters of continued interest.
Ep 33: Paying Your Bills While Attending Law School
How do you pay your bills and personal expenses while attending law school full time? How much should you take out in loans? What's the smartest money move to make as a student? In this episode of Break Into Law School, I want to discuss with you how personal allowances work and how to get them, how much to take out in loans, and alternative ways to earn money for your bills.
Ep 32: Should You Still Apply This Cycle?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I want to discuss how one should make the decision to defer their law school application. When is it too late?
Ep 31: How to Approach the Georgetown Supplements
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I want to discuss the various Georgetown supplements, how to approach them, and which to choose to best highlight your personality and strengths. These supplements are a chance for you to show off your creativity, introspection, intelligence, and suitability to Georgetown culture.
Ep 30: How to Approach the Yale 250 Essay
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I want to talk to you about the Yale 250 supplemental essay.
Ep 29: All About Law School Financial Aid
It's not a secret that law school is expensive. Many students wonder how they can afford to go to law school and how the financial aid process differs than that of college. In this episode of Break Into Law school, I want to cover:
1. What factors contribute to financial aid eligibility
2. How to apply to law school financial aid
3. The different types of loans for law school
Ep 28: Don't Rush Your Essay Process
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am going to discuss why submitting a great application a little later is better than submitting a mediocre application earlier in the cycle.
Ep 27: You Don't Need To Apply Early Decision
I've noticed so many of my students and so many students who contact us to work with them are starting to really stress out about applying early decisions. In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss whether you really need to apply early decision.
Ep 26: How Optional Are Optional Essays?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am going to discuss about optional essays.
Ep 25: Preparing for Your Law School Interviews
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am going to discuss how you can best prepare for your law school interviews.
Ep 24: Things to Avoid in Your Personal Statement
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I am going to cover the most common mistakes students make in writing their diversity statement.
Ep 23: Should You Apply Early Decision and Can You Afford It?
In this episode of Break Into Law School, we're going to be covering whether you should apply early decision to law school.
Ep 22: Your Personal Statement is Not a Narrative Resume
In this episode of Break Into Law School, I'm going to discuss why your personal statement should not be written as a narrative regurgitation of your resume. I am also going to share tips on how to weave in non-resume stories and personal experiences into your writing, as well as examples of showing instead of telling.