Now that decision time is coming, this may be useful!

There are some big changes!

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings

[Edited by aelc on Mar 14, 2017]

Wow, big changes.

I am confused. What do they mean by Grads schools? LL.M. only? Are there other rankings?

Law is a grad school in the States. Therefore, JD is a grad degree.

I believe there was once an LLM-specific ranking, but I am not sure.

Law is a grad school in the States. Therefore, JD is a grad degree.

I believe there was once an LLM-specific ranking, but I am not sure.

It's interesting to note that Stanford and Harvard, previously tied at #2, are now separated as #s 2 and 3. It is intriguing however that in terms of competitiveness, it is apparently harder to get into Harvard than Stanford (do correct me if I'm wrong). This may perhaps be explained by the larger number of applicants Harvard attracts relative to Stanford (considering its global reputation), affording it a higher rejection rate.

Across Stanford's LLM specializations, there may also be relative acceptance rates (e.g., the more popular CGP or SPILS program is more competitive compared to perhaps ELP or IELBP). Which then complicates the issue as to whether Harvard's traditional LLM is more competitive than Stanford LLMs in different specialisms.

Re Harvard and Stanford (the dilemma I'm facing), I think as international applicants we need to take this change in rankings with a grain of salt & take into consideration the international reputation / relevance of the brand name (which may have little or nothing to do with actual quality of education). Harvard may have a few points over Stanford there, even if only due to a greater size of the alumni network or a subjective perception in the international business community. If I were a US JD applicant, I'd probably lean more towards SLS. Anyway, both schools seem amazing...

Agree with your points. You can never go wrong with these two top-tier schools.

By the way, congratulations on your admits! If you don't mind, which SLS program were you accepted into? And I surmise from your post that you're leaning towards HLS? At the end of the day, I think the decision boils down to your personal motivations why you want to take an LLM in the first place. Either way, I wish you the best.

Agree with your points. You can never go wrong with these two top-tier schools.

By the way, congratulations on your admits! If you don't mind, which SLS program were you accepted into? And I surmise from your post that you're leaning towards HLS? At the end of the day, I think the decision boils down to your personal motivations why you want to take an LLM in the first place. Either way, I wish you the best.