Top Law Schools

As if we didn't have enough to think about, I just read that 2018 US News Law School rankings come out on Tuesday, March 14 (see: http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog ... kings.html)

Any predictions on changes

probably same as last year.

Duke might switch places with Michigan (again) and cause everyone to question Michigan's future status as a T14 (again).

dabigchina wrote:probably same as last year.

Duke might switch places with Michigan (again) and cause everyone to question Michigan's future status as a T14 (again).

Idk, the whole 3-way-tie thing is dumb. We need some stratification in the middle t14. At the very least, UVA/Berk--Mich--Duke or UVA/Berk--Mich/Duke.
Also, hopefully Gtown will finally hit 15.

1. Yale
2. Harvard
3. Stanford (-1)
4. Columbia
5. Chicago (-1)
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
9. Michigan (tie) (-1)
9. Duke (tie) (+2)
11. Berkeley (-3)
12. Northwestern (tie)
12. Cornell (tie) (+1)
14. Georgetown
15. Texas
16. UCLA (+1)
17. Vanderbilt (-1)
18. WashU (tie)
18. Boston University (tie) (+2)
20. USC (tie) (-1)
20. Emory (tie) (+2)

Any chance we get a rankings leak before the actual day? I clearly have the patience of a saint.

celticsfan wrote:Any chance we get a rankings leak before the actual day? I clearly have the patience of a saint.

Happened last year

1. Yale
2. Harvard
3. Stanford
4. Akron
5. Columbia
6. UPenn

Iwanttolawschool wrote:1. Yale
2. Harvard
3. Stanford (-1)
4. Columbia
5. Chicago (-1)
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
9. Michigan (tie) (-1)
9. Duke (tie) (+2)
11. Berkeley (-3)
12. Northwestern (tie)
12. Cornell (tie) (+1)
14. Georgetown
15. Texas
16. UCLA (+1)
17. Vanderbilt (-1)
18. WashU (tie)
18. Boston University (tie) (+2)
20. USC (tie) (-1)
20. Emory (tie) (+2)

Curious to hear your thoughts on why Cornell moves up & NU stays the same? I feel like with the recent investment(s) in NU, it is poised to move up.

Because I have an inside source at USNWR, it's unethical for me to participate in any sort of predictions contest. But here are a few tidbits:

There's finally some separation between C&C for the #4 spot, with a significant point increase for the new solo #4.

One T14 school drops three spots.

Two T14 schools jump two spots.

One school jumps six spots to break into the T20.

Please do not quote.

1. Yale
2. Stanford
2. Harvard
4. Columbia
5. Chicago
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
8. Berkeley
10. Northwestern
11. Cornell
13. Michigan
13. Duke
15. Georgetown

Just waiting for Michigan and GULC's downfall...

ParisHilton wrote:1. Yale
2. Stanford
2. Harvard
4. Columbia
5. Chicago
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
8. Berkeley
10. Northwestern
11. Cornell
13. Michigan
13. Duke
15. Georgetown

I think I see what you did there and I think I like it

rpupkin wrote:Because I have an inside source at USNWR, it's unethical for me to participate in any sort of predictions contest. But here are a few tidbits:

There's finally some separation between C&C for the #4 spot, with a significant point increase for the new solo #4.

One T14 school drops three spots.

Two T14 schools jump two spots.

One school jumps six spots to break into the T20.

Please do not quote.

Wow this is some good info, thanks for sharing!

Guess this becomes almost a guess rpupkin's tidbits:

"There's finally some separation between C&C for the #4 spot, with a significant point increase for the new solo #4."
Columbia at 4, Chicago at 5

"One T14 school drops three spots."
Michigan to 11

"Two T14 schools jump two spots."
Duke to 9

"One school jumps six spots to break into the T20."
GW to 20

hamilton&burr wrote:Guess this becomes almost a guess rpupkin's tidbits:

"There's finally some separation between C&C for the #4 spot, with a significant point increase for the new solo #4."
Columbia at 4, Chicago at 5

"One T14 school drops three spots."
Michigan to 11

"Two T14 schools jump two spots."
Duke to 9

"One school jumps six spots to break into the T20."
GW to 20

Mods please, they are going to out rpupkin

votebuilder1 wrote:

Iwanttolawschool wrote:1. Yale
2. Harvard
3. Stanford (-1)
4. Columbia
5. Chicago (-1)
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
9. Michigan (tie) (-1)
9. Duke (tie) (+2)
11. Berkeley (-3)
12. Northwestern (tie)
12. Cornell (tie) (+1)
14. Georgetown
15. Texas
16. UCLA (+1)
17. Vanderbilt (-1)
18. WashU (tie)
18. Boston University (tie) (+2)
20. USC (tie) (-1)
20. Emory (tie) (+2)

Curious to hear your thoughts on why Cornell moves up & NU stays the same? I feel like with the recent investment(s) in NU, it is poised to move up.

Well that isn't part of the ranking methodology. But who knows with USNews.

hamilton&burr wrote:Guess this becomes almost a guess rpupkin's tidbits:

"There's finally some separation between C&C for the #4 spot, with a significant point increase for the new solo #4."
Columbia at 4, Chicago at 5

"One T14 school drops three spots."
Michigan to 11

"Two T14 schools jump two spots."
Duke to 9

"One school jumps six spots to break into the T20."
GW to 20

If rpupkin's predictions are correct (which, clearly should include more Penn hating), I would be surprised to see Berkeley not be the t14 to drop by 3. Unless USNews changes their ranking methodology, they have gotten worse or remained the same in nearly every category, whereas other schools continue to improve.

"Just for fun"...
(OP takes predictions seriously)

dabigchina wrote:probably same as last year.

Duke might switch places with Michigan (again) and cause everyone to question Michigan's future status as a T14 (again).

I feel like I see this a lot but it doesn't seem to make much sense. GULC dropping out I get, but why are people so assured of Mich falling off? Haven't they been a mid to low T14 forever?


Anyway, Here's my shoot:
1.Yale
2. Harvard
2. Stanford
4. Columbia
5. Chicago
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
9. Michigan
9. Duke
11. Berk
12. Northwestern
13. Cornell
14. GULC
15. Texas
16. ULCA
17. Vanderbilt
18.Wustl
18. BU
19. USC
20. University of Phoenix

Bob loblaw law blog wrote:

dabigchina wrote:probably same as last year.

Duke might switch places with Michigan (again) and cause everyone to question Michigan's future status as a T14 (again).

I feel like I see this a lot but it doesn't seem to make much sense. GULC dropping out I get, but why are people so assured of Mich falling off? Haven't they been a mid to low T14 forever?


Anyway, Here's my shoot:
1.Yale
2. Harvard
2. Stanford
4. Columbia
5. Chicago
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
9. Michigan
9. Duke
11. Berk
12. Northwestern
13. Cornell
14. GULC
15. Texas
16. ULCA
17. Vanderbilt
18.Wustl
18. BU
19. USC
20. University of Phoenix

No way...you think U of P is going to drop all the way down to 20? I dunno man.

ashrice13 wrote:

Bob loblaw law blog wrote:

dabigchina wrote:probably same as last year.

Duke might switch places with Michigan (again) and cause everyone to question Michigan's future status as a T14 (again).

I feel like I see this a lot but it doesn't seem to make much sense. GULC dropping out I get, but why are people so assured of Mich falling off? Haven't they been a mid to low T14 forever?


Anyway, Here's my shoot:
1.Yale
2. Harvard
2. Stanford
4. Columbia
5. Chicago
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
9. Michigan
9. Duke
11. Berk
12. Northwestern
13. Cornell
14. GULC
15. Texas
16. ULCA
17. Vanderbilt
18.Wustl
18. BU
19. USC
20. University of Phoenix

No way...you think U of P is going to drop all the way down to 20? I dunno man.

It's always sad to see an American institution like University of Phoenix in decline, but I think it's time to face the facts. They may still have prestige but the lack of a massive library really hurts them, as it should. In this day and age it would flat out unethical for me to advise someone to go to a law school with so few bound reams of paper.

Bob loblaw law blog wrote:

dabigchina wrote:probably same as last year.

Duke might switch places with Michigan (again) and cause everyone to question Michigan's future status as a T14 (again).

I feel like I see this a lot but it doesn't seem to make much sense. GULC dropping out I get, but why are people so assured of Mich falling off? Haven't they been a mid to low T14 forever?


Anyway, Here's my shoot:
1.Yale
2. Harvard
2. Stanford
4. Columbia
5. Chicago
6. NYU
7. Penn
8. UVA
9. Michigan
9. Duke
11. Berk
12. Northwestern
13. Cornell
14. GULC
15. Texas
16. ULCA
17. Vanderbilt
18.Wustl
18. BU
19. USC
20. University of Phoenix

Nah man Michigan is hot garbage

Haha look at how much fun we're having!

It's a sad day for me when I am more excited about the US News Law rankings than the NCAA tournament bracket.

I'm just glad the rankings are coming out before deposit deadlines. Wouldn't want to deposit at a school that fell 4 places -- what, with career prospects and bragging rights on the line. /s

People seem to think Columbia over Chi. Anybody care to say why? Seems like Chi has higher/equal medians and clerkship numbers, esp. as of recently.

xn3345 wrote:People seem to think Columbia over Chi. Anybody care to say why? Seems like Chi has higher/equal medians and clerkship numbers, esp. as of recently.

Columbia raised their LSAT numbers this year so that their 25/50/75 are all 2 points higher than Chicago. Chicago still kept the GPA higher, but LSAT is weighted more, and since USNWR weights medians pretty heavily, there's a good chance Columbia will get to keep the number 4 spot to itself.