Education Hub

  • Student Loan Forgiveness Paused For Millions In IBR Plans

    The U.S. Department of Education has officially paused forgiveness for borrowers enrolled in Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plans, citing a need to comply with a recent federal court injunction. The unexpected suspension, announced in an update to the Federal Student Aid website earlier this month, has sparked anxiety among borrowers worried that relief may be slipping…

  • New U.S. Visa Rule Requires Students And Exchange Visitors To Make Social Media Public For Scrutiny

    In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of State has implemented new security screening procedures for all F, M, and J visa applicants, mandating that foreign students and exchange visitors must make their social media accounts public as part of the visa application process. The policy, effective June 25, 2025, applies to individuals seeking…

  • Diversity Holds Steady Nationally, but Top Law Schools See Decline in Black and Hispanic Students

    National law student diversity remained stable this year, but enrollment of Black and Hispanic first-year students at the nation’s most prestigious law schools declined sharply, with Black enrollment falling 8% and Hispanic enrollment dropping 9%. Experts warn this could mark the beginning of a “cascade effect” caused by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to…

  • Law Student Diversity Held Steady Despite Affirmative Action Ban, ABA Says

    Law schools across the United States maintained racial and ethnic diversity in their 2024 incoming class, defying predictions of a steep decline following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions. Data released Monday by the American Bar Association (ABA) shows that the percentage of Black, Hispanic, and Asian law students…

  • Overhauled bar exam approved by majority of U.S. jurisdictions

    Virginia and South Dakota Adopt NextGen Bar Exam Virginia and South Dakota Announce Transition Plans Virginia and South Dakota confirmed on Thursday their plans to adopt the new NextGen bar exam, set to debut in July 2026. This decision increases the number of jurisdictions committing to the revamped test to more than half of the…

  • Law Student Satisfaction Rates High for Last 20 Years

    Aspiring lawyers have consistently rated their law school experiences highly over the past two decades, with approximately 80% describing their experience as “good” or “excellent” in the annual Law School Survey of Student Engagement. However, satisfaction rates among students of color have lagged behind those of white students throughout this period. The survey, conducted by…

  • Paying for Law School: Scholarships to Apply for in November 2024

    If you’re concerned about financing law school, don’t fret! Numerous scholarships can help cover the costs. Applying to as many as possible will boost your chances of receiving aid. At Barrier Breakers, we’ve put together a list of scholarships available this November to assist law school students in finding financial support. We hope this list…

  • Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement for T14 Law Schools

    As we dive into personal statement season, I’m excited to share some insights on what makes a compelling narrative for those aiming to attend the top 14 law schools (T14). At Barrier Breakers, we’ve witnessed firsthand the power of a well-crafted personal statement, contributing to a 54% acceptance rate for our students at T14 schools.…

  • No bar exam? Utah considers it

    Utah is moving forward with a proposal to allow law graduates to become licensed without taking the bar exam, following a trend set by a few other states that have introduced alternative pathways to legal licensure in recent years. On Monday, the Utah Supreme Court unveiled a plan that would enable graduates of American Bar…

  • New York Bar Exam Pass Rate Highest Since 2013

    New York has joined the growing number of states reporting a higher pass rate on the July 2024 bar exam, with 69% of examinees successfully passing the attorney licensing exam. This figure marks New York’s highest overall pass rate since 2013, showing a 3 percentage point increase from 2023’s 66%, according to the New York…