Explain rankings and tiers to me...

[enkidu]

So, looking through my US News law school ranking book, I see schools ranked 1-99, and then tier 3 and tier 4.

Where's tier 2? Or is it like top 50 is tier 1, 50-99 tier 2 and so on?

Are the tier 3 and 4 just so bad that they don't place? Is there anything wrong with these schools? Obviously better schools have better salaries/bar passage rates etc. but is there something that makes a school a tier 3 or 4 aside from lower stats?

[orangie]

>Where's tier 2? Or is it like top 50 is tier 1, 50-99 tier 2 and so on?

that's right.

>Are the tier 3 and 4 just so bad that they don't place? Is there anything wrong with these schools? Obviously better schools have better salaries/bar passage rates etc. but is there something that makes a school a tier 3 or 4 aside from lower stats?

yes, they are worse that all of the schools that have been ranked.  But other than that, there is nothing wrong with them (but I guess it also depends on what you imply by 'wrong').

[Ever]

Lots of people dump on the lower tiers with no justification other than US News rankings and the fact they are regional schools. Honestly, that is anything outside the T25, but people love their number and cling to it for self validation.

[Towelie]

Lots of people dump on the lower tiers with no justification other than US News rankings and the fact they are regional schools. Honestly, that is anything outside the T25, but people love their number and cling to it for self validation.

You could even argue that some schools within the T25 are more or less regional.

[jer]

to me, it seems like if you meet a dr. the first question you think of may not be 'where did you get your degree?'
and where they got their degree may not have as huge an influence on their career as it does with lawyers.

where you get your jd will stay with you throughout your career, and many people will have a perception of your abilities based on where you attended.  this may work in your favor and get you a better job, or may work against you.

[iSalute]

I am making a $4 million donation to a T14 school just for the acceptance. It's a big deal. Good thing I am ridiculouly good looking, I mean, rich.

[traffic777]

to me, it seems like if you meet a dr. the first question you think of may not be 'where did you get your degree?'

Actually, if he's from a lame school I wouldn't even meet with him. When I was scanning yellow pages for dentists I skipped those with unlisted credentials or TTTs.