Break Into Law School® Podcast

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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.

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Ep 153: Exploring Part-Time Law School Options with IU McKinney School of Law
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 153: Exploring Part-Time Law School Options with IU McKinney School of Law

Dive into the world of law school admissions with Dr. Nadia Castriota as she interviews Dean Tim Luczak from IU McKinney School of Law. They discuss the exciting programs at IU McKinney, focusing on the unique opportunities available in their part-time hybrid program. From personalized academic support to diverse concentrations and clinics, discover how IU McKinney empowers students to succeed in their legal education journey.

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Ep 154: Landing Your Dream Law Firm Position with Chayla Sherrod
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 154: Landing Your Dream Law Firm Position with Chayla Sherrod

Today we dive into the fascinating journey of Chayla Sherrod, who transitioned from studying environmental science to becoming a first-year corporate associate at a top law firm. Chayla shares her journey from studying environmental science to pursuing a career in law. She discusses how her time in Namibia studying communal conservation sparked her interest in the legal aspects of environmental issues. She reflects on the importance of mentorship, routine, and adaptability in navigating law school and entering the legal profession and provides valuable insights into the realities of working in a big law firm and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. Join us as Chayla shares insights into her inspiring journey and offers valuable advice for aspiring lawyers navigating their paths.

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Ep 152: Mastering the MPRE & Summer Success with Themis Bar Review
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 152: Mastering the MPRE & Summer Success with Themis Bar Review

We are so excited to have Rebecca Petrilli from Themis Bar Review back to discuss essential strategies for law students to have a successful summer and prepare for the MPRE (Multi State Professional Responsibility Exam). Rebecca highlights the importance of the MPRE, offering insights into its format, scheduling, and preparation tips. She emphasizes Themis Bar Review's comprehensive and free MPRE course, which includes video lectures, practice questions, and more. Rebecca shares valuable advice on preparing for law classes, navigating professors' teaching styles, and maintaining self-care during law school.

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Ep 151: Should You Transfer Law Schools?
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 151: Should You Transfer Law Schools?

Should you transfer law schools? Sydney highlights crucial factors such as grades, familial considerations, geographical preferences, social fit, academic interests, and career prospects that influence this decision. Sydney emphasizes the importance of introspection, journaling, and making informed choices based on your personal and professional goals. Offering practical advice and insights, she guides you through the transfer application process, encouraging thoughtful consideration and strategic planning. Join her for an insightful exploration of the challenges and opportunities in navigating the decision to transfer law schools.

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Ep 150: Practicing Law School Essays: When, How, Why with Legally Fit
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 150: Practicing Law School Essays: When, How, Why with Legally Fit

In our second installment of the 1L club session, DeAndré talks all about practice essays and guiding viewers through the essential steps to excel in law school exams. This session emphasizes the importance of practice essays in achieving success and demystifies the process of when, how, and why to practice. With practical tips on reading, thinking, outlining, and writing essays, learn how to approach practice exams as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than performance indicators. Strategies include annotating fact patterns, prioritizing issues, and comparing answers to sample solutions for effective feedback.

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Ep 149: How To Maximize Your Law School Application with Washington & Lee Law School
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 149: How To Maximize Your Law School Application with Washington & Lee Law School

We welcome Anna Fernandez, Assistant Director of Community and Recruitment at Washington and Lee Law School, for an insightful discussion on navigating the law school admissions process. As an advocate for diversity and inclusion, Anna shares valuable insights and strategies tailored to first-generation and minority applicants. Discover how Washington and Lee Law School supports its students, fosters a supportive community, and offers unique opportunities for experiential learning. Whether you're a prospective applicant or a current student, this episode offers invaluable advice for succeeding in the competitive world of law school admissions.

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Ep 148: The 2024 Law School Rankings: Do They Matter?
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 148: The 2024 Law School Rankings: Do They Matter?

Sydney and Mike Spivey discuss the latest law school rankings and their implications. As the rankings fluctuate year after year, they delve into the question of whether rankings truly matter and how applicants should approach them. Mike Spivey shares insights from his extensive experience in law school admissions, highlighting the changing dynamics of rankings and their impact on the legal profession. They explore the challenges faced by first-generation and minority applicants, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond rankings to make informed decisions about law school choices. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of rankings in legal education and potential future trends in the industry.

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Ep 147: Exploring the Non-Traditional & Part-Time Law Student Life
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 147: Exploring the Non-Traditional & Part-Time Law Student Life

We are joined by D'Mia Spivey, a part-time 1L student at Loyola University Chicago Law School and full-time officer in the U.S. Navy. D'Mia shares her unique journey of balancing military service with pursuing her dream of attending law school. From receiving a full-ride scholarship through ROTC to managing a demanding schedule, D'Mia's story is one of dedication and perseverance. D'Mia's inspiring words and affirmations serve as motivation for anyone facing challenges in their academic or professional pursuits.

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Ep 146: What to Do While Waiting for Decisions
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Ep 146: What to Do While Waiting for Decisions

What do you do during while waiting for law school decisions? Whether you applied early in the cycle or later, Sydney offers advice on how to navigate the uncertainty of awaiting admissions decisions. She emphasizes the importance of patience, checking application statuses, and providing meaningful updates if necessary. Sydney also addresses how to handle deposit deadlines if you receive admission offers from multiple schools.

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Ep 145: The Role of a Life Sciences Licensing Attorney: Meet DéJeune Antoine
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 145: The Role of a Life Sciences Licensing Attorney: Meet DéJeune Antoine

The episode features DéJeune Antoine, a life sciences licensing attorney, who shares her inspiring journey of blending her passions for law, business, and healthcare into a cohesive career path. DéJeune pursued a JD MBA, where she discovered the role of a life sciences licensing attorney—a position that perfectly aligned with her diverse skill set and interests. Through internships and informational interviews, DéJeune honed in on her career path, ultimately finding fulfillment in facilitating contracts between pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Her story emphasizes the power of resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of diversity in the legal field, particularly within life sciences licensing.

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Ep 144: Diversity Initiatives in Legal Education with William & Mary Law School
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 144: Diversity Initiatives in Legal Education with William & Mary Law School

Dr. Nadia Castriota has the pleasure to interview Dean Korey Mercer from William & Mary Law School for today's episode. They discuss various aspects of law school admissions, with a focus on supporting BIPOC and underrepresented student groups. Dean Mercer shares insights into his journey in law school admissions and highlights initiatives at William & Mary aimed at diversity and inclusion. They discuss the importance of starting early, seeking mentorship, and maintaining professionalism throughout the application process.

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Ep 143: Life in the Legal Field as a Muslim Lawyer with Amani Taha
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 143: Life in the Legal Field as a Muslim Lawyer with Amani Taha

We are joined by Amani Taha, a corporate lawyer, as she shares her journey of advocating for herself and her community as a minority in the legal field. Growing up in a conservative Muslim community, Amani navigated cultural shocks and stereotypes, ultimately thriving in diverse environments. She discusses challenges she faced, such as balancing her faith with professional expectations. However, Amani emphasizes the importance of speaking up and advocating for accommodations based on religious beliefs. She highlights the significance of affinity bar associations like the New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association, offering support and mentorship to minority lawyers. Amani encourages others to embrace their identities, be the first in their communities, and not be afraid to speak out for their needs. Through her experiences, she underscores the power of representation and support networks in paving the way for future generations of diverse lawyers.

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Ep 142: How to Manage Law School Scholarship Negotiations
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 142: How to Manage Law School Scholarship Negotiations

In this episode Dr. Nadia Castriota delves into the crucial topic of scholarship negotiations. As law school applicants navigate the admissions process, the financial aspect often adds stress. Dr. Castriota emphasizes the importance of early financial planning to alleviate future concerns. Dividing the scholarship negotiation process into research, preparation, and strategic communication, she offers valuable insights. Through thorough research into each law school's scholarship process and requirements, applicants can better position themselves. Preparation involves crafting compelling requests, adhering to instructions, and initiating respectful communication with the law school. Dr. Castriota stresses the significance of flexibility and mutual understanding throughout the negotiation process.

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141. The Law School Essay Writing Formula with Legally Fit
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

141. The Law School Essay Writing Formula with Legally Fit

We're thrilled to announce our latest collaboration with DeAndré Aubry from Legally Fit! Get ready for a whole new level of content as we team up to bring you valuable insights, tips, and knowledge, all courtesy of Legally Fit. In this 1L Club Session DeAndré discusses the keys to essay writing in law school. When it comes to essay writing, you want to make sure you are appealing to your professor's writing style, while ensuring you have all the right components. We demonstrate how to organize your essay in a concise and effective manner to make sure you are crushing those midterms and final exams.

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Ep 140: What to Know About Taking the GRE for Law School Admissions with ETS
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 140: What to Know About Taking the GRE for Law School Admissions with ETS

In this episode, LoVetta delves into the world of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with Colby Carter, the Associate Director of Global Higher Education at Educational Testing Service. Colby shares his personal journey into the field of law and his role in assisting law schools with test assessment strategies. The GRE, a standardized test commonly used for graduate program admissions, has gained traction in law school admissions since 2016. Colby discusses the structure of the GRE, recent changes to the test format, and its focus on assessing analytical, verbal, and quantitative skills. The conversation touches on the benefits of the GRE, including increased flexibility for applicants and the growing acceptance of the test by law schools.

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Ep 139: Managing Finances as a Law School Student with an LGBTQ+ Focus
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 139: Managing Finances as a Law School Student with an LGBTQ+ Focus

In this episode, LoVetta delves into the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and financial planning with guest Andrew Gilliland. Andrew highlights the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the LGBTQ+ community in financial planning, including the need for greater protection, awareness of cash flow, and ethical investing. Andrew also offers insights for law students, discussing strategies for managing student loans and building financial stability during and after law school. Throughout the conversation, the importance of empowerment, self-awareness, and advocacy in financial decision-making shines through, as Andrew encourages listeners to take control of their financial futures. Andrew's website, Gillilandfinance.com, offers resources for those seeking further information and assistance in financial planning.

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Ep 138: Best Practices for College Athletes Applying to Law School
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 138: Best Practices for College Athletes Applying to Law School

In this episode, Sydney discusses the best practices for college athletes applying to law school, addressing the concerns and worries athletes may have. Sydney reassures the listener that being a student athlete is not a drawback; in fact, law schools value the discipline, determination, and unique experiences that come with such dedication to athletics. She discusses how to showcase these qualities in personal statements, diversity statements, or supplemental essays, emphasizing that being an athlete can be a significant asset in the law school application process. Sydney also provides insights into addressing GPA concerns related to time commitments in sports and highlights successful examples of athletes incorporating their experiences into their law school narratives. Overall, the episode aims to guide student athletes through the application process and emphasizes the value they bring to law school communities.

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Ep 137: Putting Together Strong Letters of Continued Interest
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Ep 137: Putting Together Strong Letters of Continued Interest

In this episode, Cynthia provides valuable insights and guidance for students placed on law school waitlists. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of viewing the waitlist as an opportunity to re-engage with the dream school and maximize chances of acceptance. She discusses crafting a compelling letter of continued interest, highlighting gratitude, reaffirming interest in remaining on the waitlist, articulating reasons for choosing the specific law school, and providing meaningful updates. Rivera emphasizes sincerity, professionalism, and avoiding negative tones or dishonesty in communications with admissions committees. Overall, the episode offers a structured approach to navigating the waitlist process and emphasizes proactive engagement with law school admissions.

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Ep 136: The Path From Lawyer to Human Design: Meet CEO Jacques Anderson
Sydney Montgomery Sydney Montgomery

Ep 136: The Path From Lawyer to Human Design: Meet CEO Jacques Anderson

In this episode LoVetta with Jacques Anderson, the founder and CEO of Lean Into Your Design, a human-centered coaching and consulting business. Jacques shares her journey from law school to corporate attorney, highlighting the importance of human design in understanding oneself beyond societal expectations.Through examples and insights, Jacques elucidates the different human design types—manifestors, generators, manifesting generators, projectors, and reflectors—and how they can navigate their careers and lives more authentically by understanding their unique design. She emphasizes the value of self-awareness and leveraging individual strengths to minimize burnout and align with one's true purpose. Providing practical tips and resources, Jacques encourages listeners to explore human design as a tool for personal growth and fulfillment beyond traditional career paths.

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Ep 135: LSAT Changes, GRE, & JD-Next: What You Need To Know with LSAT Unplugged
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 135: LSAT Changes, GRE, & JD-Next: What You Need To Know with LSAT Unplugged

In this insightful episode, we are joined by Steve Schwartz, founder and CEO of LSAT Unplugged, to discuss the evolving landscape of the LSAT and its implications for aspiring law students. They delve into the upcoming changes to the LSAT, including the removal of the logic games section and the introduction of the JD-Next exam. Steve provides valuable advice for navigating these changes, emphasizing the importance of understanding the test's fundamentals, focusing on common question types, and developing personalized study plans. They also explore alternative options like the GRE and JD-Next, reflecting on their potential impact on law school admissions. Throughout the discussion, they underscore the LSAT's role as just one factor in the admissions process, encouraging perseverance and exploration of various preparation strategies.

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