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U.S. News Rankings

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:45 pm
by joshbauer
I have read many posts saying that rankings are not super representative of a school due to a variety of factors in how the rankings are put together. Can y'all fill me in on what this means? How are these rankings actually compiled? What factors are involved? If I am picking between two t-50 schools outside of the t-14 is the difference all that stark?

Thanks

Re: U.S. News Rankings

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:48 pm
by AboveTheLawSchool

Re: U.S. News Rankings

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:48 pm
by cmraider
Good luck getting an actual answer to this question. Google and the Forum Search at the top of the page are your best friends.

Re: U.S. News Rankings

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:49 pm
by tourdeforcex
in short: a major point of contention: the numbers they get and report and use in their rankings, especially on median salary, and employment seem to be questionable.

and questionable as in possibly completely made up or very very skewed.

how are rankings compiled? you will need to actually go to the US News and World Report Ranking to see their methodology. Factors involved include subjective evaluations by other schools, judges, and lawyers, LSAT 25th to 75th, GPA 25th to 75th, % applicants accepted, employment % at graduation and 9 months after, bar passage rate and some others.

what are the two schools? what are your goals? how much does cost factor into decision making?

feel free to PM if you don't want to post.

Re: U.S. News Rankings

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:56 pm
by Fred_McGriff
They're more important than friends, family, or living a good life.