US NEWS Rankings 2011? Forum

[sibley]

ok, whatever. the fact of the matter is some of us are very interested in seeing the new rankings. we've been very logical going through this process and won't let one possibly outlying statistic change our decision. we just want a little more knowledge before we make our final choice.

You should be more interesting in data that actually matters. Like how well there OCI went last year. Instead of a list with a methodology a dumb magazine put in place to tell us what everyone already knew.

I AM more interested in how well their OCI went, how many current students have summer gigs, etc. But I need to know everything before I make my final decision. Everything includes this year's stats.

[T14_Scholly]

we just want a little more knowledge before we make our final choice.

It doesn't constitute knowledge.

[td6624]

Does anyone have any idea what time the rankings will come out on the 15th? I have a seat deposit that needs to be postmarked on the 15th and I'd be interested in seeing how the rankings pan out before I send that in.

Why would you possibly do that?

I can see the value in that, especially when you're considering schools that have steadily slipped over the years. If the rate of decrease suddenly intensifies, I'd be justly worried (Iowa).

Which school is going to fall so far as to possibly affect your decision? And how far of a drop would influence your decision?

If GW drops 8 more spots I might worry a bit.

But in all honesty I don't know how much it would affect my decision. Probably not much unless I decide I hate DC.

Oh, also, that would pretty much cement the idea that the rankings are meaningless beyond the T14 or T18 or whatever the hell.

[holydonkey]

Meh. There is some usefulness to the rankings. For example, if you look at W&L, the school used to be ranked #19, but it's declined a few spots each year or so over the last decade and now sits at #30 or so. They just instituted a pretty unique new 3L curriculum which is largely based on externships and clinical stuff in order to get kids out in the world/jobs before the end of school. This could impact its reputational rating in a significant way either positively or negatively (also their Dean is leaving). If W&L holds steady or rises in the rankings, it may be a validation of schools trying out more professionally focused curriculum. If they drop, this is a pretty clear downward trend and even a radical change isn't going to stop it. But I do feel like this is a rare case where the ranking may actually say something about the school's direction.

[JOThompson]

we just want a little more knowledge before we make our final choice.

It doesn't constitute knowledge.

We might as well entirely do away with the rankings, I suppose. It's not like they serve as even a very rough guide for those making decisions.

[stratocophic]

I never said it would or would not make my decision.

There's an implication when you say you want to wait to see the rankings before mailing your deposit.

Bad inference. It could be one of a dozen factors in her decision.

Suppose the school's rank drops and he/she decides not to go there at the last minute (this is the only reason he/she could possibly want to wait to see the rankings). I'd call that "making" the decision.

Right. If it truly doesn't matter, why not send it in that morning and just look at rankings that night? None of these hypothetical dozen independent factors depend on the rankings, or else they wouldn't be independent. If they aren't independent of the rankings, the decisions is still indirectly being affected by something effectively meaningless.

[webbylu87]

Point is, I can't justify to anyone why I want to do this because you're either the kind of person who wants this information or the kind that thinks it'd be stupid to find out. I don't care which kind you are. To each their own. It's not up to you to ridicule how I make my decision. I asked a simple question as to what time the rankings were released. That's all.

[JOThompson]

Meh. There is some usefulness to the rankings. For example, if you look at W&L, the school used to be ranked #19, but it's declined a few spots each year or so over the last decade and now sits at #30 or so. They just instituted a pretty unique new 3L curriculum which is largely based on externships and clinical stuff in order to get kids out in the world/jobs before the end of school. This could impact its reputational rating in a significant way either positively or negatively (also their Dean is leaving). If W&L holds steady or rises in the rankings, it may be a validation of schools trying out more professionally focused curriculum. If they drop, this is a pretty clear downward trend and even a radical change isn't going to stop it. But I do feel like this is a rare case where the ranking may actually say something about the school's direction.

Exactly the sort of situation where the year to year rankings could be enlightening. Again, I wouldn't solely base my decision on that, but it's an extra bit of information.

[td6624]

And I know math probably isn't too many people's strong suits here. But the rankings will be posted on midnight of April 14th/15th. There's a freaking countdown.

[T14_Scholly]

we just want a little more knowledge before we make our final choice.

It doesn't constitute knowledge.

We might as well entirely do away with the rankings, I suppose. It's not like they serve as even a very rough guide for those making decisions.

Well, it's the year-to-year change that doesn't constitute knowledge.

[09042014]

Why would you possibly do that?

I can see the value in that, especially when you're considering schools that have steadily slipped over the years. If the rate of decrease suddenly intensifies, I'd be justly worried (Iowa).

Which school is going to fall so far as to possibly affect your decision? And how far of a drop would influence your decision?

If GW drops 8 more spots I might worry a bit.

But in all honesty I don't know how much it would affect my decision. Probably not much unless I decide I hate DC.

Oh, also, that would pretty much cement the idea that the rankings are meaningless beyond the T14 or T18 or whatever the hell.

If GW drops 8 more spots it tells you more about USNWR than it does about GW.

Rankings don't matter inside the T14 either. Boalt still isn't T6.

[Onion]

Does anyone have any idea what time the rankings will come out on the 15th? I have a seat deposit that needs to be postmarked on the 15th and I'd be interested in seeing how the rankings pan out before I send that in.

Poster simply asked what time rankings came out, whats with all the hostility? Why would anyone care how another person made their decision as to what school to attend? Everyone is going to weigh different aspects of the huge decision as to what school to attend (and probably spend large amounts of capital to attend) differently.

[T14_Scholly]

Meh. There is some usefulness to the rankings. For example, if you look at W&L, the school used to be ranked #19, but it's declined a few spots each year or so over the last decade and now sits at #30 or so. They just instituted a pretty unique new 3L curriculum which is largely based on externships and clinical stuff in order to get kids out in the world/jobs before the end of school. This could impact its reputational rating in a significant way either positively or negatively (also their Dean is leaving). If W&L holds steady or rises in the rankings, it may be a validation of schools trying out more professionally focused curriculum. If they drop, this is a pretty clear downward trend and even a radical change isn't going to stop it. But I do feel like this is a rare case where the ranking may actually say something about the school's direction.

Consider that the ranking formula disfavors small schools, and that W&L competitors have been making incremental gains by gaming the formula. Iowa, IUB, and Alabama anyone?

[sibley]

Meh. There is some usefulness to the rankings. For example, if you look at W&L, the school used to be ranked #19, but it's declined a few spots each year or so over the last decade and now sits at #30 or so. They just instituted a pretty unique new 3L curriculum which is largely based on externships and clinical stuff in order to get kids out in the world/jobs before the end of school. This could impact its reputational rating in a significant way either positively or negatively (also their Dean is leaving). If W&L holds steady or rises in the rankings, it may be a validation of schools trying out more professionally focused curriculum. If they drop, this is a pretty clear downward trend and even a radical change isn't going to stop it. But I do feel like this is a rare case where the ranking may actually say something about the school's direction.

Consider that the ranking formula disfavors small schools, and that W&L competitors have been making incremental gains by gaming the formula.

it isn't a shock that w&l is sinking. they've definitely been doing things to make themselves accessible, but it's just not that easy to participate in clinics if you have to drive over an hour to do it. etc.

[td6624]

If GW drops 8 more spots I might worry a bit.

But in all honesty I don't know how much it would affect my decision. Probably not much unless I decide I hate DC.

Oh, also, that would pretty much cement the idea that the rankings are meaningless beyond the T14 or T18 or whatever the hell.

If GW drops 8 more spots it tells you more about USNWR than it does about GW.

Rankings don't matter inside the T14 either. Boalt still isn't T6.

I just meant that certain distinctions seem valuable while others seem almost meaningless. It's probably fair to say that attending HYS is better than MVBPD. And probably fair to say that MVBPD is better than Texas/UCLA/Vandy/WUSTL. But GW and IU-B? Notre Dame and Iowa? BU and BC? W&M and W&L? DePaul and LUC? What's even the point, really?

[FunkyJD]

Does anyone have any idea what time the rankings will come out on the 15th? I have a seat deposit that needs to be postmarked on the 15th and I'd be interested in seeing how the rankings pan out before I send that in.

Poster simply asked what time rankings came out, whats with all the hostility? Why would anyone care how another person made their decision as to what school to attend? Everyone is going to weigh different aspects of the huge decision as to what school to attend (and probably spend large amounts of capital to attend) differently.

Poster asked and provided a justification for her interest. What's wrong with questioning the justification the poster provided?

[JOThompson]

Does anyone have any idea what time the rankings will come out on the 15th? I have a seat deposit that needs to be postmarked on the 15th and I'd be interested in seeing how the rankings pan out before I send that in.

Poster simply asked what time rankings came out, whats with all the hostility? Why would anyone care how another person made their decision as to what school to attend? Everyone is going to weigh different aspects of the huge decision as to what school to attend (and probably spend large amounts of capital to attend) differently.

Poster asked and provided a justification for her interest. What's wrong with questioning the justification the poster provided?

The inquiry into her justification has been an excuse for needless hostility, for a couple of the posters.

[Pearalegal]

they might have some interest in seeing if a school that has been on the rise lately continues.

No, because they're not dumb enough to think that a slight rankings increase equates to being "on the rise."

Which is not what I said. But I agree with you. Obviously.

Fixed your quotes, too, haha, so its easier to read.

[askhos]

I think Cooley is going to be number 1. I hear they've decided to install more library chairs.

[09042014]

I think Cooley is going to be number 1. I hear they've decided to install more library chairs.

That joke wasn't funny in 2006, and isn't now.

[romothesavior]

we just want a little more knowledge before we make our final choice.

It doesn't constitute knowledge.

We might as well entirely do away with the rankings, I suppose. It's not like they serve as even a very rough guide for those making decisions.

Sorry, but this is flat out false. Many, many firms and companies only hire within certain "tiers." I spoke with an attorney who said they only hire within the top 20, which means going to WUSTL or going to UIUC would have an impact on me, if I wanted to work there down the road.

Also, while I agree that the fluctuations in the rankings from year to year are virtually meaningless, trends can be established that help students with their decision. The employment numbers, degree of portability, and overall "prestige" also seem to drop off significantly at certain points. I'm not saying the rankings are the end-all and be-all, but they certainly do serve as a rough guide.

[Campagnolo]

I'm surprised no one has tipped NYU to overtake Columbia.

Think of all the quality faculty acquisitions they've made this year.

[Pearalegal]

To clarify, heres what I mean:

Boston University-

2000: 32
2010: 20

Emory-

2000: 26
2010: 20

Washington and Lee-

2000: 20
2010: 30

The rankings over the past 10 years in the T25 have mostly stayed consistent, but there have been some big changes. You think hiring committees don't pay attention to that? As flawed as any rankings system is, there is usually a reason for such changes. And my associates and partners do discuss know the rankings, though not as obsessively as us.

Obviously a fall or rise for a year or two isn't going to be a decision maker (or it shouldn't be)--but wondering if W&L will return to its 25th ranking it had in 2009 after falling to 30 in 2010? I mean, its not crazy to be interested in seeing that. Rankings do matter, its what the legal world is driven by.

I'll completely agree that making a decision based off of small flucations in law schools is completely stupid, but thats not what the poster was saying AT ALL.

[JOThompson]

we just want a little more knowledge before we make our final choice.

It doesn't constitute knowledge.

We might as well entirely do away with the rankings, I suppose. It's not like they serve as even a very rough guide for those making decisions.

Sorry, but this is flat out false. Many, many firms and companies only hire within certain "tiers." I spoke with an attorney who said they only hire within the top 20, which means going to WUSTL or going to UIUC would have an impact on me, if I wanted to work there down the road.

Also, while I agree that the fluctuations in the rankings from year to year are virtually meaningless, trends can be established that help students with their decision. The employment numbers, degree of portability, and overall "prestige" also seem to drop off significantly at certain points. I'm not saying the rankings are the end-all and be-all, but they certainly do serve as a rough guide.

I was being sarcastic in the quoted post. Overall, I agree with you. Rankings aren't anything to sacrifice your firstborn for, but they do offer some enlightenment. While the minor year to year changes may not be hugely important, they can establish a general trend. A large drop one year is certainly something to pay attention to, even if we conclude that USNWR's methodology is faulty IMO.

[09042014]

To clarify, heres what I mean:

Boston University-

2000: 32
2010: 20

Emory-

2000: 26
2010: 20

Washington and Lee-

2000: 20
2010: 30

The rankings over the past 10 years in the T25 have mostly stayed consistent, but there have been some big changes. You think hiring committees don't pay attention to that?

No, I really don't. Do you have hiring stats to back your claim up?