What do the US News international law rankings really mean? Forum

[North Texas Lad]

I'm interested in pursuing a career in international law. My top choices are Tulane and Case Western. Though Tulane purportedly has a longstanding, comprehensive international law program, they are not ranked on the international law rankings. On the other hand, Case Western has been ranked for 8 or 9 years in a row. I know the overall rankings are discussed ad nauseam but am curious how much weight, if any, these rankings hold when seeking extern/internships and employment.

[Nova]

USNWR international rankings mean nothing

You will not end up practicing "international law" out of Tulane or Case. Youll be lucky to be doing slip&falls, divorces or DUIs like everyone else.

[Pneumonia]

These rankings mean nothing. In fact, I think mentioning them in the context of applying for a job would add negative value to your candidacy.

[Statu$studios]

I mean--Case at a very good price isn't bad for the NE Ohio or West PA where it has a good rep, but even then, you can't be necessarily banking on one from of law over the other.

[rad lulz]

.

[Straw_Mandible]

Calling flame.

[North Texas Lad]

I'm basically interested in working at the State Department, DoD, or perhaps with an IGO. I have no illusions that getting there by way of either of these institutions will be easy but am prepared to work hard to get where I want to be. I simply wondered if the US News specialty rankings mattered. And by that, I did not mean to bring it up to employers. I guess the better question would have been, does a ranking give a school a better reputation among employers in the field?

[Nova]

does a ranking give a school a better reputation among employers in the field

no

[rad lulz]

I'm basically interested in working at the State Department, DoD, or perhaps with an IGO. I have no illusions that getting there by way of either of these institutions will be easy but am prepared to work hard to get where I want to be. I simply wondered if the US News specialty rankings mattered. And by that, I did not mean to bring it up to employers. I guess the better question would have been, does a ranking give a school a better reputation among employers in the field?

You're all but foreclosed from those lines of work from these schools regardless of how hard you work

[dwil770]

I'm basically interested in working at the State Department, DoD, or perhaps with an IGO. I have no illusions that getting there by way of either of these institutions will be easy but am prepared to work hard to get where I want to be. I simply wondered if the US News specialty rankings mattered. And by that, I did not mean to bring it up to employers. I guess the better question would have been, does a ranking give a school a better reputation among employers in the field?

When people are faced with ruined lives because they spent three years of their lives in law school and went six figs into debt, they will all be working hard.

[Pneumonia]

Working hard is necessary but not sufficient, especially when you're lacking another necessary condition: attending a better school.

[timbs4339]

Do you think there's like a "State Department Jr." that you can work at a few years and get promoted to the big leagues? Like the Ohio Department of State? Counsel to the Texas Navy, where the DoD will invite you for an interview.

Look, this is a track you get on in law school by going to a really good school. If you can't, it'd probably help to get a biglaw job in a DC firm, which is not going to happen from either school. You will be lucky, and have to work really hard, to get any legal job coming out of these schools. Do not go unless you'd be happy working in personal injury, wills and estates, family law, as a local prosecutor or PD, or in one of the careers that most law students will end up working in.

[InTheHouse]

When you understand how US News comes up with those rankings you'll understand how useless they are.