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 158: Acing Law School Final Exams with Legally Fit
Education Sydney Montgomery Education Sydney Montgomery

Ep 158: Acing Law School Final Exams with Legally Fit

DeAndré is back with the 1L Club to dive deep into acing final exams, covering everything from prepping to post-exam strategies. DeAndré walks you through the essential steps to maximize your performance, focusing on understanding the law, developing test-taking skills, memorization techniques, and building confidence. From filling in knowledge gaps to managing test anxiety, DeAndré helps ensures that you're ready to excel during finals.

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Ep 157: All About LSAT's New Writing Portion with LSAT Logic Pro
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Ep 157: All About LSAT's New Writing Portion with LSAT Logic Pro

Significant changes are coming to the LSAT in August 2024. While much attention has been on the removal of the Logic Games section, there's also a new writing section to prepare for. LSAT expert Mena Pirone discusses strategies for tackling the evolving exam format and emphasizes the importance of clear, structured writing, outlining, and avoiding gimmicks in your argumentative essays.

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Ep 155: Balancing Finals & Summer with Law School Application Prep
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Ep 155: Balancing Finals & Summer with Law School Application Prep

Feeling overwhelmed with finals, LSAT prep, and law school applications? In this episode, Cynthia shares invaluable strategies for balancing finals and summer with law school application prep. Discover study techniques, leverage on-campus resources, and learn the importance of early planning for success in your law school journey.

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Ep 153: Exploring Part-Time Law School Options with IU McKinney School of Law
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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 151: Should You Transfer Law Schools?
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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
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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 148: The 2024 Law School Rankings: Do They Matter?
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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 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 144: Diversity Initiatives in Legal Education with William & Mary Law School
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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 142: How to Manage Law School Scholarship Negotiations
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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
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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 138: Best Practices for College Athletes Applying to Law School
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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 135: LSAT Changes, GRE, & JD-Next: What You Need To Know with LSAT Unplugged
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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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Ep 134: What To Do During a Law School Gap Year
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Ep 134: What To Do During a Law School Gap Year

In this episode, Dr. Castriota explores the concept of taking a gap year before law school. She discusses the various reasons individuals may opt for a gap year, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, professional development, and exploration during this time. She addresses common questions about how admissions committees interpret gap years and highlights the significance of the decisions made during this period. She provides insights into potential activities during a gap year, such as gaining work experience, pursuing further education, or engaging in law school preparation. The episode emphasizes the value of storytelling in the application process, encouraging applicants to share their experiences and personal development during the gap year to enhance their law school applications.

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Ep 132: Best Practices for Law School Admissions Interviews
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Ep 132: Best Practices for Law School Admissions Interviews

In this episode, Cynthia shares six best practices for law school admission interviews. She emphasizes the importance of researching the law school thoroughly, knowing one's application materials inside and out, practicing common interview questions authentically, and demonstrating professionalism during the interview, including punctuality and a tidy workspace. She encourages applicants to connect with interviewers on a personal level, emphasizing authenticity and honesty. She also advises applicants to prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewer that go beyond basic information available on the school's website. Throughout, she stresses the significance of being genuine and confident during the interview process to effectively communicate one's fit for the law school.

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Ep 131: Applying to Law School with ADHD
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Ep 131: Applying to Law School with ADHD

In this episode, Sydney discusses navigating the law school application process with ADHD. Reflecting on her own diagnosis at 26, Sydney shares challenges faced during law school, emphasizing the importance of seeking support. She outlines three crucial elements for success: clear timelines and deadlines, organized planning, and accountability. She encourages individuals with ADHD to explore accommodations for exams like the LSAT, emphasizing the value of embracing ADHD as a superpower in legal careers. With empathy and insight, Sydney offers guidance and support for those navigating the law school journey with ADHD.

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Ep 129: Key Support Services Every Law School Applicant Should Seek
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Ep 129: Key Support Services Every Law School Applicant Should Seek

In this episode, Dr. Nadia Castriota discusses the crucial topic of student support and services in law schools. Drawing from her experience as a dean of admissions, Dr. Castriota emphasizes the importance of understanding the various resources available to law students. She delves into key areas such as academic support, advising, mental health resources, and opportunities outside the classroom. The episode serves as a valuable guide for individuals navigating the complexities of law school, offering insights into the multifaceted support systems that contribute to a student's overall success.

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Ep 128: Guide to the Law School Application Timeline for First-Gen and Minority Students
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Ep 128: Guide to the Law School Application Timeline for First-Gen and Minority Students

In this episode, Sydney discusses the ideal timeline for preparing your law school applications. She emphasizes the importance of early preparation and offers tips on solidifying your reasons for pursuing law school, exploring practice areas, and researching LSAT prep options. She also highlights the significance of strategic LSAT preparation based on the removal of the logic games coming this June. The goal is a smooth application process leading to acceptance letters in the fall, allowing for scholarship negotiations and thoughtful decision-making. Watch to learn how to navigate the law school application journey with confidence and success.

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Ep 125: How To Apply For Financial Aid For Law School
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Ep 125: How To Apply For Financial Aid For Law School

In this episode, we explore the essential steps for law school financial aid, centering on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Emphasizing the FAFSA's significance, we discuss early submission strategies, document preparation, and the pitfalls of paid FAFSA services. AccessLex is highlighted as a valuable resource, offering free financial advice for law students. We cover the FAFSA school designation process and explain loan types, repayment considerations, and the potential impact of loan forgiveness programs.

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