We’ll see you April 17-19, 2026!
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.
Every student deserves a clear path to college!
IN 2025, we had over 2,300 registrants for our free online conferences!
We encourage you to attend the events that interest you most!
Opening Session & Keynote Speaker
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET
Mock Admissions Panel |
7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. ET
Opening Session & What Goes into a Strong College Application (Beyond the Essays)
10:00 a.m. - 11:15 p.m. ET
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®
Sydney Montgomery, Esq.
AP, Dual Enrollment, and More!
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. ET
Writing a Strong College Essay |
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ET
College Fair |
1:30 - 4:30 p.m. EST
Meet 1:1 with admissions reps from colleges across the country.
COMING SOON: View the full list of colleges attending and read more about their offerings.
Navigating College Admissions With Learning Differences, ADHD, Autism, Sensory, Health, and/or Mobility Conditions
4:45 - 5:30 p.m. ET
Understanding Different Types of Colleges: Large Research Universities, Small Liberal Arts Schools, Regional State Schools, and Everything in Between
5:45 - 6:45 p.m. ET
Playing Sports in College: D1 v. D2 v. D3 and How to Get Recruited
7:00 - 7:45 p.m. ET
Opening Session & How to Afford College: Scholarships, Financial Aid, & More*
*This panel will be held in English, Spanish, and French
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
How to Succeed on the SAT or ACT Exam (and Knowing When/If to Test)
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. ET
College Application Resource Fair (+ giveaways!)
1:15 - 3:45 p.m. ET
Meet 1:1 with reps from:
Test prep companies
Executive functioning coaches
Admissions consultants
College essay coaches
Access Organizations
and more!
Free Pathways to a Degree: Different Community College Programs, ROTC, and More
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET
Applying to Engineering Programs
5:15 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Applying to Undergraduate Business Programs
5:15 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Applying to Visual or Performing Arts Programs
5:15 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Applying to Engineering Programs
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. ET
Applying to STEM Programs and Accelerated BS/MD Programs
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. ET
Applying to Military Academies
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. ET
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
Applying to College with Immigration Concerns (DACA, Undocumented, TPS, and more)*
*this panel will be held in English, Spanish, and French
6:45 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Closing Session ||||
7:30-7:45 p.m. ET
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®
Sydney Montgomery, Esq.
Our free conference includes:
✔ Expert advice from admissions deans, officers, and professionals in the field
✔ An Application Resource Fair with the chance to win SAT/ACT prep courses, exclusive discounts, and scholarships
✔ A College Fair with a chance to meet one-on-one with a variety of college reps from across the country
✔The opportunity to get your questions answered live featuring multilingual parent Q&As
✔ Virtual networking spaces to meet with other attendees and panelists
✔ Exclusive giveaways and promotions from Barrier Breakers® and our sponsors
✔ And more!
Have questions or want to get involved in our 2026 conference? Send an email to conference@barrier-breakers.org!
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.
Thank you to our valuable sponsors for making this free event possible!