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$144K+
Median first-year associate salary at a large US law firm (2024).
95%
Law school acceptance rate for Barrier Breaker's scholars.
Top 5
Law ranks among the 5 highest-earning graduate degrees by lifetime earnings.
Supporting first-generation students pursuing careers in law, public service, and advocacy.
Legal and public service careers shape access, rights, and opportunity — yet students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds remain significantly underrepresented in the legal profession.
Barrier Breakers provides expert college admissions advising aligned with pre-law and public interest interests, paired with mentorship and long-term support throughout college and beyond. Our work begins by helping students select colleges and academic pathways that prepare them for law school, policy work, and related careers.
For students who pursue law school, Barrier Breakers offers in-house law school admissions advising, making this the one pathway where graduate admissions support is delivered directly by our team.
What We Do
1:1
Admissions Advising
Personalized 1:1 support aligned with pre-law, social science, humanities, and public interest pathways
Mentorship & Industry Exposure
Mentorship from legal and public service professionals, including attorneys, advocates, and policy leaders
Career Opportunities
Career exposure opportunities, such as internships, shadow days, court observations, and employer-led programming
Support During College
Ongoing support during college and graduate school including persistence check-ins, wellness support, and preparation for next steps.
Learning, Community & National Access
Barrier Breakers also provides free, public-facing legal education and community-building resources, including:
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Break Into Law Conference — the largest virtual conference for first-generation pre-law students, with thousands of students participating annually
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Break Into Law Podcast — a free educational resource offering guidance, insights, and lived experiences from law students, attorneys, and legal professional
These initiatives expand access to information and community for students nationwide — regardless of whether they are enrolled in a paid advising program.
Law School & Policy Graduate Pathways
Barrier Breakers provides comprehensive, in-house law school admissions advising. We offer comprehensive law school advising packages, small-group boot camps, and pro bono services through our Law School Scholars Program. Our law school advising team includes seven experienced advisors with a combined 90+ years of experience in law school admissions, legal education, and student support.
For students pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Master in Law (LLM), this in-house team provides end-to-end guidance, including application strategy, school selection, personal statement and essay development, resume review, interview preparation, and decision support — all integrated with our long-term mentorship and wellness model.
For students whose goals include public policy, public administration, or related graduate programs — such as an MPP or MPA — Barrier Breakers refers students to trusted graduate admissions partners with specialized expertise in those pathways.
Regardless of whether graduate admissions advising is delivered in-house or through referral partners, Barrier Breakers continues to support students through mentorship, wellness check-ins, and long-term guidance throughout graduate school and early career transitions.
Learn more about Barrier Breakers® Law School Admissions Advising.
Become a Mentor, Corporate Sponsor, or Student Sponsor.
You can play a direct role in supporting first-generation students on their path to college, graduate school, and meaningful careers. As a mentor, you provide guidance, encouragement, and insight into professional pathways. As a corporate partner, you help expand access to internships, career exposure, and early professional experiences. As a student sponsor, you make it possible for aspiring low-income students to receive expert advising, continued wellness support, and long-term mentorship at no cost — ensuring they are supported every step of the way.
Student sponsorships directly support aspiring low-income students by funding college advising, mentorship, and continued wellness support throughout their educational journey.
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