Episodes
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In this epsiode, Sydney Montgomery, Executive Director at Barrier Breakers, shares expert tips on excelling at law school fairs and LSAC forums. The presentation includes eight essential strategies for preparation, such as conducting pre-forum research, developing a strong elevator pitch, and asking meaningful questions. The advice also covers concise self-introductions, appropriate dress codes, strategic planning, the importance of attending workshops, note-taking, and follow-up communications to build relationships. Viewers are encouraged to demonstrate interest and professionalism when interacting with admissions representatives. Personal experiences and additional guidance are provided to help prospective law students navigate these events confidently and make meaningful connections, with an invitation to an in-person session hosted by St. John’s Law School.
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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 information about law schools. Throughout the episode, Dr. Castriota offers practical advice and encouragement for prospective law students navigating the application process.
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Missing episodes?
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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 and unique value alignment with the school. The episode also highlights family ties, geographic reasons, and community values as key angles to explore. Montgomery concludes by sharing an offer for admission advising services, including a special discount.
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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 financial barriers to LSAT prep, the importance of community support, adapting to the new LSAT format, and managing test anxiety and confidence. Reggie offers actionable advice on how to approach the Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning sections, emphasizing focused practice and understanding the test's framework. The episode aims to equip students with practical tips and resources to effectively prepare for and excel at the LSAT.
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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 support. She also offers services to assist with the writing and application process.
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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. Find out how to get support for your law school journey, including free resources and fee waivers.
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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 relationship with the legal profession. In this episode, learn what it takes to be at the heart of a city's legal and administrative operations.
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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 out or need guidance on structuring your narrative, this episode offers valuable insights to help you create a memorable and impactful personal statement.
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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 on setting boundaries, maintaining authenticity, and building a life that is truly yours.
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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.
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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: legallyfitstudent.com
Master The Subject: https://legallyfitstudent.com/master-the-subject-law-school/
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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 overall advice for others in similar situations.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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/
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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 Transparency: lawschooltransparency.com
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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.
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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 based on common but often misleading narratives.
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