Harvard maybe?
According to who?
I think it depends on your definition of “the best”. And then, of course, the best in what area of law? Criminal? Healthcare? Environmental?
US News rates the schools, and does a division by specialty. For the record, they rate Yale as #1, Stanford #2 and Harvard #3.
Excuse me. To whom?
How about, “Which is the best law school in terms of the most gradutes who later earned notoriety as lawyers convicted of crimes or under suspicion of, thanks to such companies as Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, etc.?”
I know the answer! I know, Duckster! It’s Yale!
Evidence suggesting that Yale has its limitations:
Gerry Ford '41, Bill Clinton '73, Jerry Brown '64, Gary Hart '64, Arlen Specter '56, Pat Robertson '55, Clarence Thomas '74
Of course it’s hard to come to a consensus on this sort of question, but I think that in the American legal community, Yale Law is generally regarded as the most prestigious, selective, etc.
Yes, according to U.S. News and World Reports annual rankings, Yale is ranked “No. 1” according to the general consensus among lawyers and jurists. You have to take their rankings with a grain of salt, though; most people I’ve talked to who have attended No. 3 ranked Harvard were largely unsatisfied with their time spent at law school…classes too large, facilities too small, disinterested faculty, being just a “face in the crowd”, etc. Sacrificing prestige for an environment more tailored to suit them (or with a program they are interested in, like **Lsura/b] suggests) may be more up some people’s alley.
Oh, hell, maybe I’m just sour grapes. I might have gone to Yale or Harvard if I could have gotten in. But going to a lower tier school on a scholarship instead of racking up $100,000 in student loans has can be pleasant as well.
Surfersean–
I see you’ve asked this question about law, pharmacy, and math. There’s a handy dandy guide already mentioned, published by U.S. News that you can pick up to answer all these questions and more. Many have disputed the idea that colleges can be objectively ranked by plugging in a bunch of numbers into a spread sheet, but since you’re one of the ones who thinks that there is such a thing as a “best” school, you’re probably not among them.
Are you trying to find a school for yourself? Because if you are I strongly urge you to throw US News out the window and look for things that are important to you.
surfersean22
Please read the forum descriptions. This is not a General Question with a factual answer. Opinions and polls belong in IMHO.
Off to IMHO.
DrMatrix - General Questions Moderator
Funny thing, shortly before reading this post I was reflecting on my law school experience and thinking that I should share what I learned about my choice of schools with prospective law students. However, I don’t know anything about what the poster is looking for. Basically, the top schools are good if you want to join a “top firm.” But if you’re going to law school in order to go to a top firm, you’re an idiot, IMHO. It’s a boring, unrewarding job.
I just realized that my answer doesn’t belong in GQ. But neither does the question.
To any potential law student who may be reading this, I thought I would interject that law is a very snobby profession and going to a top school can help you throughout your career. Not just if you want to work at a “BIGLAW” type firm. If you want to be a federal prosecutor; if you want to be a law professor; even if you want to work for legal services, having a degree from a top law school will give you a leg up on the competition.
Harvard currently has the most Justice granduates on the Supreme Court.
Common perceptions of the schools:
Yale- place for those who do not want to practice law at firms. Many judicial clerk, politico’s ect go this route.
Harvard- horrible quality of life, prepare to have law and economics shoved done your throat. Diito University of Chicago.
My favorite- the University of Virginia School of Law- wahoo wa!
Oops- my bias is showing
:rolleyes:
For what it is worth [sup](not very much, except there is no bias)[/sup] I agree with the University of Virginia. 