What's the deal with Southwestern?

[futurejd20]

Some guy recently posted a thread about this school in a different section, and it got me thinking about how good this school really is for Entertainment/Sports law. Out of curiousity, I just called the Southwestern employment center and asked them if it was rare for graduates to go into the Entertainment law field. The guy told me that they have a huge alumni in this field and that it was "quite common" for SW graduates to go into this field. He sounded very confident in his response, like he was completely sure of himself.

I just think that sounds kind of strange because I always thought it was an extreme long shot to get into this field, especially from a tier 3 school like SW. The guy made it seem like it was definitely possible coming from Southwestern. Maybe it's because of the LA location, but I still don't know.

Is this guy at the employment center just trying to promote his school or is he for real? What do you guys think?

Btw, here is a link that might back up his case:

http://www.swlaw.edu/entertainment/alumni.html

[futurejd20]

Anyone else?

[midlife catharsis]

Southwestern with its notoriously high weed-out ratio is the perfect place to nurture the latest Jerry McGuires of the world.

[futurejd20]

I find that offensive.

[enave]

Golden Gate's attrition rate for 1st & 2nd year students was 35.1% last year.
Cal Western's attrition rate for 1st & 2nd year students was 35.4% last year.
University of San Francisco's attrition rate for 1st & 2nd year students was 20.6% last year.
Southwestern's attrition rate for 1st & 2nd year students was 19.3% last year.
Pepperdine's attrition rate for 1st & 2nd year students was 18.2% last year.
Santa Clara's attrition rate for 1st & 2nd year students was 14.6% last year.
Loyola's attrition rate for 1st & 2nd year students was 11.2% last year.

Southwestern's attrition rate is in line with other comparable schools i.e. Pepperdine and USF, and not far off from SCU and Loyola.

All stats taken from the most recent USNEWS and world report graduate school ranking guide, spend 5.99 and get all the facts.

[enave]

Southwestern's connections in the entertainment industry are very deep.

Here is a link to just some of their alumni, it is impressive.

http://www.swlaw.edu/entertainment/alumni.html

Undoubtedly, any school affiliate will pump up their respective institution, however, in my opinion their is likley a great deal of truth to what he told you.

[futurejd20]

Who cares about attrition rate? If anything, students dropping out could only help an already existing student at the school because of less competition, right?

[enave]

I only posted the numbers to dispell the myth that Southwestern weeds out students.  It isnt true at least not anymore.  Southwestern has made drastic improvements in student body and facilities over the last four years they may be the next Cali. school to break into the top 100. 

The only thing keeping them back is the lack of a national reputation and no undergraduate university. 

Look at UNLV only around a few years but it has a great rep. based on what....name recognition.  Thats all the peer assessment category is.

[polarbearz]

It is common knowledge in the Los Angeles area that Southwestern is held in low regard by the legal community.  Your chances of breaking into the entertainment field with a Southwestern degree are almost nonexistent.

[enave]

Polar- You couldn't be further from the truth.