Hi All, does anyone know if it is possible to find somewhere the historical data - let's say the last 5ys - of the USNews Rankings? It might be useful for evaluating the increasing or decreasing standing of the top Law Schools. Tks in advance.

I have a few of the issues myself since I give admissions adivce. If you have a particular school, I may be able to answer your question.

I have to give you a warning though. The rankings system is a good way to get a general overview, but is a horrible way to make up your mind. It is better to have specific questions in mind like: 1) rate of employment of graduates with your profile 2) location of jobs 3) type of jobs 4) reputation in your home country/field of interest 5) activity of alumni 6) personal attention from faculty 7) etc. Ranking system does not tell you this info.
Ask yourself what the most important criteria are for you. What are your main goals? Prioritize your questions thusly and then get particular information.
A great way to do this is to ask professors, grads and current students these questions.

FYI: the ranking system can be rigged in many ways. Movement up or down the pole can be due to the whims of the day, and I wouldn't pay too much attention to that. BUT these ranking systems do give a GENERAL profile on the opportunities open to you afterwards. But don't just rely on the rankings system. For instance, I know of a top 20 US law school that has an employment and salary record which is worse than schools in the second or third tier. If that takes you aback, then you need to stop relying on the rankings system and ask the questions that are relevant to your own interests.

tgheen, could you give your opinion on UPENN ?

and your opinion about Virginia

Thank you for your post.
I agree with you that it's important not to put too much stress on rankings. My idea was simply to have a sort of "track record" of the first tier Law Schools during these years. I have already shortlisted the two Law School I'm interested in and I 'd like to know their rankings during the years. It was, I would say, a matter of curiosity. Thus, if you, or someone else in this discussion board, know the historical data of the US News rankings my curiosity would be satisfied °_*. thank tou and good luck!

Ops, I forgot, the Law Schools are Columbia and Chicago...

I have a few of the issues myself since I give admissions adivce. If you have a particular school, I may be able to answer your question.

I have to give you a warning though. The rankings system is a good way to get a general overview, but is a horrible way to make up your mind. It is better to have specific questions in mind like: 1) rate of employment of graduates with your profile 2) location of jobs 3) type of jobs 4) reputation in your home country/field of interest 5) activity of alumni 6) personal attention from faculty 7) etc. Ranking system does not tell you this info.
Ask yourself what the most important criteria are for you. What are your main goals? Prioritize your questions thusly and then get particular information.
A great way to do this is to ask professors, grads and current students these questions.

FYI: the ranking system can be rigged in many ways. Movement up or down the pole can be due to the whims of the day, and I wouldn't pay too much attention to that. BUT these ranking systems do give a GENERAL profile on the opportunities open to you afterwards. But don't just rely on the rankings system. For instance, I know of a top 20 US law school that has an employment and salary record which is worse than schools in the second or third tier. If that takes you aback, then you need to stop relying on the rankings system and ask the questions that are relevant to your own interests.

acknow:

Review this article. Plenty of historical data and up to date info.

http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2006/04/us_news_ranking_1.html

Asterion, wonderful! Now my curiosity is definitely satisfied. Are the charts published therein the demonstration that rankings do not matter that much, or the contrary?! :-O
All the best.

Another way to look at the top 10 schools JD programs is to review their LSAT scores averages: All of their means are 168-171 (98%-99%) and their mean grades are 3.67-3.8 (two A's for every B or three A's for every B). These schools have essentially all the same highest quality people and all are almost indistinguisable between each other.
Enjoy these small differences and prosperity to all of you in whichever program you pick. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these programs.