What Deans Say About The Rankings

Susan Poser, University of Nebraska

Susan Poser, University of Nebraska


Susan Poser, University of Nebraska (Jumped 7 spots)
The credit goes to the faculty, who are scholars and teachers, who also participate in law reform at the local, state, national, and international levels, and to our innovative curriculum, which prepares students for a wide array of careers. I am so proud that the College of Law is playing a part in all of the great things happening at the University of Nebraska.”
“I think the students do pay attention to the rankings and that’s why we care about them. A lot of people don’t know what a wonderful place this is, but it might encourage more students, especially out-of-state [students] to think about it, and it might encourage students in-state to realize what they have in their own backyard.”
Our Take: Another great pitch! Humble and understated, she affirms the school’s affiliation with the larger university, while encouraging out-of-state students (i.e. Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, and Kansas) to give Nebraska consideration. With a $31,955 out-of-state tuition, it’ll take make than higher rankings and subtle entreaties to attract those students.
Dean James Rasband, Brigham Young (Rose 8 spots)
“Students have always been the crown jewel of the Law School, and the current students have carried on that tradition … U.S. News alone does not capture all that we are striving to accomplish at BYU Law School. No ranking can do that.”
Our Take: “Crown jewel?” Holy hyperventilating hyperbole! Still, you have to respect the elegant, yet passive aggressive, jab at the rankings.
Dean Annette E. Clark, University of Seattle (Moved into Top 100 at #87)
I am so proud of my faculty and staff colleagues at Seattle University School of Law for their commitment and dedication in preparing our students to be great lawyers.These rankings are an imperfect and incomplete measure of the quality of the legal education we provide, but the recognition is gratifying.”
Our Take: Clark almost sounds like a parent when talking about the rankings. Translation: “You’re lazy, stupid, and sloppy, but I still love you anyway.”
Dean Avi Soifer, University of Hawai'i

Dean Avi Soifer, University of Hawai’i


Dean Avi Soifer, University of Hawai’i (Dropped 20 spots to #100)
What makes our school exceptional however, is not measured in these rankings.“We are able to personalize the legal education we provide and our extraordinary diverse students support one another, have fun together, and actually enjoy law school.”
Justice Sabrina McKenna ’82, Hawai‘i Supreme Court Associate Justice
“I don’t think there could be any better Law School in equipping people for the challenges of the future – the challenges of bringing together people of different cultures and backgrounds to solve the world’s problems. This starts with what no other school can offer – the opportunity to learn and live aloha. That’s what we offer, the spirit of cooperation and solving, not creating, problems.”
Our Take: When the going gets tough, the tough … call in the alumni. Of course, celebrity endorsements have a short shelf life … as do deans whose schools yo-yo in and out of the top 100 nearly every year.
DON’T MISS: U.S. News’ 2015 Law School Rankings or U.S. News’ Rankings: Winners & Losers

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