Get the College Admissions Blueprint
3-day virtual event with expert-led sessions, live college fair and answers about financial aid and scholarships. Completely free for students and families.
CONFERENCE DATES
April 17th - 19th
Hear directly from admissions officers
Panels in English, Spanish & French
Fully virtual, attend from anywhere in the world
Made possible by:
The Break into College Conference is a free, three-day virtual event created to help students and families make informed, confident decisions about college. With expert-led sessions on everything from affording college and understanding different types of schools, to navigating the process with learning differences, applying to specialized programs like engineering, arts, business, or international schools, and even pursuing nontraditional paths like ROTC or community college—we’re committed to making the college journey more transparent and achievable for all.
Everything you need to navigate college - in one weekend!
First-gen Princeton & Harvard Law grad
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
IN 2025, we had over 2,300 registrants for our free online conferences!
Founder|Executive Director Barrier Breakers®
Apply with ease this year…
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS
Learn from voices who’ve been there
Our keynote speakers bring rare insights from Wall Street, elite universities and the college essay trenches.
Julissa Arce
Author, Activist & Former Goldman Sachs VP
Mexican-American dreamer & best-selling author of 'Someone Like Me' and 'You Sound Like a White Girl'. Former Wall Street executive turned immigrant rights activist. Co-founder of the Ascend Educational Fund for immigrant students.
Ethan Sawyer
The College Essay Guy
Nationally recognized college essay coach and author of 'College Essay Essentials'. He has helped thousands of students write authentic essays that Ivies and elite colleges love.Meet admissions reps face-t0-face
COLLEGE FAIR
Schedule 1:1 calls with admissions representatives across the country. Ask questions you can’t find answers to online.
EXPERT PANELISTS
Meet Our Panelists!
Jed Applerouth, Ph.D
Applerouth Tutoring Services. Nationally recognized expert in Standardized testing.
Dr Julie Loppacher
Rising Tide Educators. 20+ years in higher ed disability services. Expert in inclusive learning environments.
Sarah Seymour
Executive Director of Pre-College Programs Kaplan. Passionate about first-gen student's success.
Nicole Savage, MPA
The College Board. Director of AP Readiness Strategy. Expert in college & career readiness programs.
Luna Nombrano Larsen
Director at Trio. Proud autistic & dyslexic woman passionate about neurodiversity advocacy.
Matt Leichman
Univ of Maryland. Admissions Counselor guiding prospective students through applications.
Mark Detterline
Senior Assistant Dean Of Admissions, Director of Selection at Swarthmore College.
Erica Woods M.Ed
Villanova University. Director of Strategic Partnerships in Admissions. Passionate about first-gen student's success.
Leslie Thatcher
Perkins Transition Center. College and career readiness for students with visual impairments.
Sasha Fawaz
Kaplan. Pre-College ACT & SAT Teacher and College Advisor.
Ibrahim Firat
Co-founder Nexus Futbol Academy. Breaking barriers for talented youth athletes seeking holistic development.
Michele Evard, Ph.D
Evard Educational Consulting. Custom homeschool plan design and college applications.
Liam Dailey
Beloit College. Senior Director of Admissions Communication.FULL SCHEDULE
Every topic covered in 3-days.
Day One, April 17, 6:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m ET
Opening Session & Fireside Chat
6:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m ET
Mock Admissions Panel
7:00 p.m - 7:45 p.m ET
Day Two, April 18, 10:30 a.m - 7:45 p.m ET
Opening Session & What Goes Into a Strong College Application Beyond Essays
10:00 a.m - 11:15 a.m ET
AP Dual Enrollment & More!
11:30 a.m - 12:15 p.m ET
Writing a Strong College Essay
12:30 p.m - 1:30 p.m ET
Navigating College Admissions with Learning Differences: ADHD, Autism, Sensory, Health and/or Mobility Conditions
4:45 p.m - 5:30 p.m ET
Understanding Different Types of Colleges: Large Resarch Universities, Small Liberal Arts Schools, Regional State Schools & Everything in Between
5:45 p.m - 6:30 p.m ET
Transitioning to College Successfully as a First-Generation Student
7:00 p.m - 7:45 p.m ET
Day Three, April 19, 10:30 a.m - 7:30 p.m ET
Opening Session & How to Afford College: Sholarships, Financial Aid & More*
10:00 a.m - 12:00 a.m ET *this panel will be held in English, Spanish & French
How to Succeed on the SAT or ACT Exam (& Knowing When/If to Test)
12:15 p.m - 1:30p.m ET
Application Resource Fair
College Application Resource Fair (+giveaways!)
1:15 p.m - 3:35 p.m ET
Meet 1:1 with reps from:
Test prep companies
Executive functioning coaches
Admissions consultants
Essay coaches
Access organizations & more
Getting Recruited to Play D1, D2 or D3 Sports
7:00 p.m - 7:45 p.m ET
Concurrent Sessions: Block A
Applying to Engineering Programs
5:15 p.m - 6:00 p.m ET
Applying to undergraduate Business Programs
5:15 p.m - 6:00 p.m ET
Applying to Visual and Performing Arts Programs
5:15 p.m - 6:00 p.m ET
Concurrent Sessions: Block B
Free Pathways to a Degree: Community College, Military Academies, ROTC & More *
6:00 - 6:45 p.m ET *this panel will be held in English, Spanish & French
Applying to STEM, Engineering and/or Accelerated BS/MD Programs
6:00 p.m - 6:45 p.m ET
Concurrent Sessions: Block C
Applying to College From a Homeschool or Online School Program
6:45 - 7:30 p.m ET
Applying to Computer Science Programs
6:45 - 7:30 p.m ET
Closing Session
7:30 - 7:45 p.m ET
Interested in sponsoring this event?
Learn how your organization can get in front of thousands of high school students and parents, all while helping us fund our Barrier Breakers College Scholars Program, helping first-generation and low-income students access college for free.
If you have questions about sponsorships, reach out to conference@barrier-breakers.org.
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