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Break Into Law School®
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Break Into Law School®

Author: Sydney Montgomery

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Sydney Montgomery, a law school admissions advisor specializing in working with first-generation and minority applicants, is herself a first-generation graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School. Through Barrier Breakers® Admissions Advising, she and her team have helped 7,000 students gain admission to law school. This podcast will help you break down generational barriers so that you can step confidently into your dreams and become an attorney. Have a question you want to be answered? Submit questions at bit.ly/breakintolawschool
166 Episodes
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In this episode, Mecca Aikens, a second-year law student at Georgetown Law, shares her journey as a first-generation law student. She discusses how her parents' strategic savings plan and her father's military benefits helped minimize her educational debt. Mecca highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and getting involved in extracurricular activities during law school. She emphasizes the value of seeking guidance from upperclassmen and shares her experiences as a student fellow, journal editor, and academic chair. Mecca also offers insights into the clerkship process and her aspirations to become a judge, aiming to bring more diverse voices to the legal profession.
Learn all the essentials of brainstorming for your law school application essays with Dr. Nadia Castriota. Nadia shares valuable tips on adhering to application guidelines, organizing your thoughts, understanding the purpose of each essay, and the importance of seeking feedback. Whether you're crafting a personal statement, diversity statement, or supplemental essay, these tips will help you present your best self to the admissions committee.
Welcome to another mini episode of Break into Law School with Dr. Nadia Castriota. This month, we're diving into the 509 report. One of our listeners asked how to read this vital document, which is packed with information about law school admissions, tuition, and employment outcomes. We'll break down what the 509 report is, where to find it, and how to use its data to make informed decisions on your law school journey. Tune in for a quick yet comprehensive guide to understanding this essential resource!  
Meet Alexandria Richards, the first Black Editor-in-Chief of Drexel Law Review. She shares her law school journey from aspiring family lawyer to passionate advocate in labor and employment law. She discusses her groundbreaking role at Drexel Law Review, highlighting the importance of mentorship, staying true to oneself, and embracing challenges. Discover Alexandria's insights on diversity, networking, and making history in the legal profession.
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.
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.
Foolproof strategies to get through your 1L year successfully without a headache. In this conversation, Angela Vorpahl shares strategies and advice for students entering their 1L year of law school. From the importance of preparing practical life aspects to effective study strategies, to career development, Angela goes into depth on how to get ahead of the curve. Learn more about Angela's Beat the Curve bootcamp and be reassured that you have yourself prepared for a successful 1L year.
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.
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.    
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.
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.
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.
For this month's mini Q&A, Dr. Nadia Castriota, emphasizes the importance of considering various factors like ranking, scholarship offers, personal priorities, and the waitlist dilemma. Submit your questions to our social media or through bit.ly/breakintolawschool.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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