<p>I think some schools that are now outside the arbitrary "T14" were once part of it, but this group has held steady for a couple of years now I believe. Do you think it's likely for one or more of the T14 schools to get kicked off? If so, who could replace them? Could the grouping even expand to T15? From looking at employment stats, I got the impression that Vanderbilt could very well qualify as a national school.</p>
<p>Actually, the law schools in the top 14 US News rankings have been in that top 14 since the rankings began in 1989. There have been some shifts in order of those 14 but the same 14 have been there since inception. In fact, that is what resulted in the creation of the phrase Top 14 (rather than 15 or 16, etc.) because those 14 never fell out and no new ones came in. The phrase actually does not reflect whether the schools are “national” or not national schools and large law firm employers definitely look beyond those 14 and consider others as being on a nationally recognized level (i.e, 14 is not some magical cut-off point but simply something created as a result of US News rankings and the consistency of those 14 in that grouping). No, the phrase will not change to T15 or T16 simply because once you have a catchy phrase imbedded in the language, it sticks, and though it is possible for others to get into the 14, that has yet to have occurred.</p>
<p>The top 14 would sort of lose its relevance if weren’t consistent. Though in the very first rankings (1987), Texas and UCLA were in the top 14 while Cornell and Northwestern were not. People just sort of ignore those, since US News didn’t publish rankings again until 1990.</p>
<p>Texas is 15 now i believe. This was a drop from 14 last year. Is this a bad thing, or will Texas remain a huge name for big law firms? I’m asking about this because i intend on going to UT Law.</p>
<p>Texan, that is wrong. But texas does fairly well outside its region. But is still primarily a regional school (even if it is self selection).</p>
<p>It is possible, however, that the T14 could shrink. FH would probably tell you that it already has, although I’m a little skeptical of that thus far. But it could soon reach the point where really you’d be talking about the top-5 as being truly national programs.</p>
<p>Drusba:</p>
<p>It was my impression that the Top 14 was so-named because every one of those 14 were at one time ranked in the top 10. Thus, for the Top 14 to become 14+1, a college currently outside of the top 14 would have to jump to 10 or better…or, am I incorrect?</p>
<p>Ya, a lot of people hate on Georgetown. But honestly, its the class size that really does it a disservice. As far as sheer numbers of people in good jobs it is doing well compared to its peers. But their massive class size coupled with the part time program is diminishing the degree and making the employment prospects more bleak than they should be.</p>
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<p>You are correct. Drusba is completely wrong.</p>
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<p>Not at all.</p>
<p>GULC and Cornell will probably fall out of T14. Texas and UCLA probably will get included.</p>
<p>TBF, i’m specifically talking about Georgetown in relation to Cornell. Northwestern is kind of an arbitrary cut off due to the fact that it has relatively very good placement stats due to the fact that basically everyone there has significant prior work experience. ANd Liu, Vandy is probably more likely to be included than either of those schools, especially UCLA. Its mor likely that people start referring to it as the t12 than it is that schools were to replace cornell and georgetown.</p>
<p>Why would vandy move up ahead of UT and UCLA? Texas Law law has more prestige (peer ranking) and UCLA has better stats.</p>
<p>Vandy has better national placement.</p>
<p>Vandy has slightly better placement because there isn’t much going on near TN. In contrast, Texas and California (after NY, Chicago) are prime spots for the legal industry.</p>
<p>Although credited, this just means that their self selection hurts them in the “national reputation” that people credit the t14 with. Vandy, on the other hand, is helped by that fact. The biglaw placement is probably negligible, so if vandy has more reach, than vandy wins in that scenario.</p>
<p>Except that UT’s national reputation is still stronger, according to US News.</p>
<p>Lol, I hope the above is sarcasm. </p>
<p>It’s generally said that outside the t-14, schools are regional. As in none of them are have real national reputation. Like with UT for example, you can get a great job in texas, but you have a lot less of a chance of movement to a different region of the country. Sure the top of the class still has that possibility, but most of the people will not, without prior contacts.</p>
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<p>But not less than your chances if you’re coming from Vandy, which is the point. That a school is “regional” doesn’t mean that nobody outside of the region has heard of or has an opinion about it. The fact that Vandy grads, by necessity, have to leave their state to work hasn’t given them a stronger national reputation than UT.</p>
<p>In terms of employment, actually, yes it does. Lay prestige, who cares? But getting a job in california is easier from vandy than UT even if it is because of self selection. Past graduates choices will have hurt future graduates chances at certain jobs. Although unfortunate, this is the reality that is law school. So, if you don’t want to work in Texas, or the south, you should not go to UT. Vandy is a much better option if you plan on leaving the south after graduation.</p>