Law Schools

Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (Fourth Tier)

This is the end Beautiful friend This is the end My only friend, the end We’ve come to the end of the U.S. News Law School Rankings. The Fourth Tier. The schools that are friends to those who will do anything in order to go to law school. Here is an open thread to discuss […]

By Elie Mystal on May 14, 2010 5:01 pm

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

We’ve come to the end of the U.S. News Law School Rankings. The Fourth Tier. The schools that are friends to those who will do anything in order to go to law school. Here is an open thread to discuss these schools, collectively or individually, and to compare and contrast.

Are any of these schools worth the price of admission? Well maybe for the Lulz. Check out how even high-achieving students get treated at 4th tier Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School…

I’m not one to talk about typos. But on an official document, it’s just kind of funny:

Oh, we kid, John Marshall — because it’s funny. But hey, part of the charm of going to a fourth-tier law school is that you can have some fun. Check out the crazy kids at Capital University Law School. One of them made a rap video.

Look, chances are that if you are going to a fourth-tier law school, your goal is not to be a Biglaw lawyer. Not that you can’t be; it’s just probably not your driving ambition in life. And if this recession has taught us anything, it’s that there are way too many Biglaw lawyers in the world.

So is it worth it economically to take the risk on one of these schools? It kind of depends on what you think of the lottery. The fourth-tier gamble will pay off for a select few. They’ll be able to get the job they want or transfer to a better school. Most other people will be in a worse economic position than they were before they started handing over tuition checks.

I’m sure some people will say that the fourth tier is worth it “if you get a full ride.” Fine. It’s also true that if somebody gives you a scratch-off ticket you should probably play it too.

But I wouldn’t rest my professional future on a lotto.

Earlier: Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (1 – 5)
Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (6 – 15)
Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (17 – 28)
Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (34 – 48)
Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (52 – 72)
Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (78 – 100)
Open Thread: 2011 U.S. News Law School Rankings (The Third Tier)