In this mini-episode of the Break into Law School podcast, Dr. Nadia Castriota, Director of Law Student Success and Admissions Advisor at Barrier Breakers, addresses common questions about law school applications. Dr. Castriota emphasizes the importance of optional essays in enhancing your application and providing a holistic view of your background. She also advocates for attending LSAC Law Forums and recruitment events as invaluable opportunities for networking and gathering crucial...

In this episode, Sydney Montgomery, Executive Director and Founder of Barrier Breakers, offers invaluable advice on writing a compelling 'Why This School' essay for law school applications. Using an engaging analogy with 'The Bachelorette,' Montgomery explains how applicants can convincingly express their genuine interest and connection to a particular law school. She provides essential dos and don'ts, such as avoiding generic praises and ranking mentions, instead focusing on personal stories...

Mastering the LSAT: Strategies and Insights with Reggie Whitaker from LSAT Demon. In this episode, Sydney Montgomery, founder and executive director of Barrier Breakers, interviews Reggie Whitaker, a professional tutor from LSAT Demon. Reggie shares his journey from studying the LSAT in high school to becoming a top scorer and a dedicated tutor. They discuss key strategies for succeeding on the LSAT, particularly for marginalized and first-generation students. Key topics include overcoming...

In this episode, Sydney Montgomery, founder and executive director of Barrier Breakers, discusses the process of drafting a personal statement for law school applications. She emphasizes the importance of starting early, especially due to the rolling admissions process, and recommends having three to six drafts for a strong essay. Sydney provides insights on how to outline, refine, and get external feedback, cautioning against having too many reviewers and stressing the role of good writing...

Join Sydney Montgomery, founder of Barrier Breakers, as she breaks down key traits of successful T14 law school personal statements. Learn how to answer 'Why Law?' and 'Why Now?' through compelling stories, balancing relevancy and recency, and using strong transitions. Discover tips from real student examples and get guidance on making your statement stand out. Barrier Breakers focuses on first generation, minority, and immigrant students, boasting impressive acceptance and scholarship rates....

Ever wondered what city clerks actually do? Meet Richard Vincent Hill, the Clerk of Courts for Youngstown Municipal Court, as he shares his journey and the vital role clerks play in keeping the city running. From handling criminal traffic cases to managing a $1.8 million budget, Richard breaks down the responsibilities and skills needed for this underrated but crucial job. Learn about his path to public service, the diverse functions of the Clerk of Courts Office, and the symbiotic...

In this episode of Barrier Breakers, Sydney Montgomery dives into crafting a compelling personal statement for law school applications. Learn how to effectively integrate your accomplishments into your narrative without just restating your resume. Sydney emphasizes the importance of storytelling to highlight your unique experiences and passions, and shares practical tips on selecting which achievements to feature in your personal statement. Whether you're struggling to make your essay stand...

We are joined by Nimat Lawal, a first-generation Nigerian-American and corporate counsel at O'Melveny & Myers LLP. We dive into her journey from Atlanta to Harvard Law, her unique experiences growing up in predominantly white spaces, and the pressures of balancing cultural expectations and personal goals. We also talk about her time teaching with Teach for America, the challenges of working in corporate law, and her passion for life and professional coaching. Nimat shares valuable advice...

Struggling to manage ADHD in law school? Today, we delve into the challenges and strategies for success with expert ADHD coach and comedian Henry Lam. Henry shares his unique journey from accounting to ADHD coaching, offering valuable insights on diagnosing and managing ADHD. We discuss practical strategies for success, overcoming procrastination, and maintaining motivation. Whether you're about to enter law school or in law school, I hope this episode helps to empower you.

With our collaboration series with Legally Fit, DeAndré goes over the essential steps for processing midterm feedback. You’ll learn how to leverage your midterm results to enhance your final exam preparation, focusing on strategies for multiple choice and essay exams. He emphasizes the importance of not just understanding the law but effectively applying it, with practical tips for consistent improvement. Connect with Legally Fit YouTube: @legallyfitstudent IG: @legallyfitstudent Website:...

Ever wondered how someone can become an undocumented lawyer in the U.S.? For this episode we are joined by Jazmín Irazoqui-Morales, Founder and Chief Executive Officer The UndocuLawyer Firm. Jasmine shares her personal journey from Mexico to becoming a lawyer despite being undocumented, highlighting the challenges and misconceptions around immigration status and legal professions. She also talks about support systems and resources available for undocumented students and professionals and...

Today Nadia shares her personal journey and tips on applying to law school as a parent. As someone who pursued her PhD while raising two young kids, Nadia discusses the challenges and considerations involved, from financial aid and balancing responsibilities to finding support and maintaining mental health. Just because you are a parent, doesn't mean you can't go to law school.

Ever wondered how to tap into the underrepresented Hispanic market with your legal services? We chat with Hugo Gomez, founder of Abogados NOW, a national Spanish marketing agency for attorneys, about his innovative approach to help lawyers reach out authentically to Hispanic communities. We go over his journey in creating a digital-focused strategy based on Hispanic mobile behavior and the challenges he faced convincing traditional firms.

It's summer, and it's time to work on those personal statements for law school applications! For this episode, Sydney guides you through three key steps to craft a compelling personal statement. Sydney shares tips on choosing a guiding theme, using specific anecdotes, and the importance of outlining.

This month, Nadia tackles what it means to be two points below the 25th percentile for LSAT scores but above the median GPA, offering valuable insights on the holistic admissions process. She also discusses the advantages non-traditional, older students bring to law school and their potential success in the legal field. Submit your questions to us on our social medias or at bit.ly/breakintolawschool for us to answer in our next episode. 

Welcome to your 1L Club session! We're diving deep into midterms - how to prepare, manage your time, and learn from them. Get tips on balancing your study routine, creating effective day-of-exam habits, and reflecting on performance. Connect with Legally Fit: YouTube: @legallyfitstudent IG: @legallyfitstudent Website: legallyfitstudent.com Master The Subject: https://legallyfitstudent.com/master-the-subject-law-school/

With law school rankings fluctuating and more schools boycotting traditional ranking systems, how do you know what is a "good" law school? Sydney, offers advice on better metrics to consider like employability, bar passage rates, median salaries, and job prospects in the desired region. Today, we use the Law School Transparency website to help build a personalized law school list to figure what is a "good" law school for you. Resources Mike Spivey: myrankbyspivey.com  Law School...

We have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Haley Moss, who's not just an attorney but also a powerhouse public speaker, author, and advocate for people with neurodiversity. Haley opens up about her autism diagnosis at age three and her journey through law school, sharing candidly about her challenges and victories. Be sure to check out her book "Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals" for more insight.

Law school myths are everywhere and it's difficult to know whether they're true...or false. Today, Sydney addresses several myths surrounding law school that discourage potential applicants. She discusses the misconceptions about the necessity of specific undergraduate majors, age restrictions for law school applicants, the importance of LSAT scores and GPAs, and the affordability of law school, particularly the comparison between part-time and full-time enrollment. Do not limit yourself...

We are joined by business affairs executive Ke'Andra Levingston about the legal intricacies in major TV productions. Ke'Andra shares her journey from being inspired by The Cosby Show to working at one of Hollywood's top talent agencies. Learn about the day-to-day life of a television business affairs executive, the role of a production lawyer, and the importance of understanding the business side of entertainment. Ke'Andra also offers valuable advice for aspiring law students interested in...

We are joined by Dean Eulas Boyd, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Brooklyn Law School. We cover a comprehensive overview of law school financial aid, including merit-based and need-based aid, the financial aid process at Brooklyn Law School, and crucial tips on managing law school debt. Dean Boyd also shares important advice on building a list of target schools, the timing and application for financial aid, and navigating scholarships and loans. This episode is essential for...

Writing addendums can be difficult to navigate. Today, Sydney explains the importance of being explanatory rather than excusatory, and emphasizes taking responsibility for your circumstances. Sydney also shares practical tips for crafting a concise and effective addendum that addresses potential concerns from admissions committees. Learn how to navigate your law school application with confidence, even if you’ve faced academic or personal challenges.

Soukaina Sourouri is the first Muslim Arab American president of the Staten Island Women's Bar Association. Soukaina shares her remarkable story, from navigating cultural and language barriers as the daughter of Moroccan immigrants to her challenges and triumphs in law school and beyond. Despite difficulties with initial LSAT scores and the COVID-19 pandemic affecting her bar exam plans, Soukaina’s perseverance and support from her family enabled her to graduate debt-free and succeed...

In this episode, we’re joined by Anthony Denmark, founder of Becoming JD, a highly rated motivational speaker and strategic law school admissions advisor. Together, we delve into the vital topic of diversity and equity in law school admissions and the legal field. Anthony shares his personal journey to law school, and highlights the importance of representation and empowerment. From overcoming adversity to achieving dreams, we explore the challenges faced by underrepresented students and...