Break Into Law School‪®‬ Sydney Montgomery

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.