TRUSTED BY FAMILIES FOR OVER 14 YEARS
High-Touch College Admissions Advising for 10th-12th Grade Students
We don't make promises about schools.
We make promises about students.
Work With the College Admissions Experts
The Barrier Breakers®, Inc. college counselling team is a diverse team made up of current and former admissions deans and professional counselors to ensure a stress-free college preparation journey for you and your family.
Experience you can trust:
100%
College acceptance for all our students.
$490M
In scholarship aid awarded to our students.
98%
Of our students got into their top 3 choices.
95%
Of our students get at least one merit aid scholarship.
OUR CORE MODEL
We support your teen from high school through to graduation and their early career.
Expert Admissions Advising
We match each student with an experienced admissions advisor who will provide individualized guidance for all college applications. Support includes college lists, essay support and standardized testing preparation.
Career Exposure & Experiential Learning
Through corporate and organizational partners, students gain access to internships, shadow days, and career exploration opportunities that build confidence and professional capital.
A tailored career-aligned, long-term advising model
Industry Mentorship
Each student has access to mentors and professionals who offer career insight, encouragement, and real-world perspective — helping demystify professional environments and expectations.
Continued Support Through Graduation & Beyond
Students receive continued guidance, wellness check-ins, and career support throughout college and graduate school, helping them persist, graduate, and transition into the workforce.
SUCCESS STORIES
Here are some of the many schools our students have been accepted to:
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Meet Matthew,
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill '26
Fullride scholarship
EVENTS
Upcoming Events
We host FREE webinars and large virtual conferences where we bring together admissions deans, SAT & ACT experts, essay experts, financial aid gurus and colleges to make the college admissions journey transparent and affordable for everyone.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director
Sydney is the program architect of Barrier Breakers®. She is a first-generation student, lawyer and the daughter of military & immigrant parents.
Redefining Success.
Expanding Upward Mobility
Sydney Montgomery is the Executive Director and Founder of Barrier Breakers®. She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024 and is a TEDx Speaker.
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As the first lawyer in her family, the first person from her high school to attend Princeton University, and a Harvard Law School graduate, Sydney has used her platform since 2012 to help students break down generational barriers and step confidently into their future.
As the daughter of military and immigrant parents and as a lower-income college student, Sydney battled insecurities, financial challenges, and debilitating chronic illnesses to defy societal labels and expectations. Now, as a TEDx Speaker and Forbes 30 under 30 entrepreneur Sydney inspires others to believe in themselves, find their voice, and confidently pursue their goals no matter their background or obstacles. Sydney holds a B.A. in English from Princeton University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, a Masters of Theological Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary, a Certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from UC Irvine, and a Certificate in Anti-Racism in Urban Education from UNC Charlotte. Sydney is a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council and has been featured in Inc., Forbes, US News, Medium, CNBC and others.
Her TEDx talk, “First-Generation Graduates Drive Business Success,” has over 234,000 views on YouTube.