CNN
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Yale and Harvard Law Schools are two of the best law schools in the United States and have been on US News & World Report’s list of the best law schools for decades. The school is bowing now.
Each year, US News publishes a list of the nation’s best colleges, including a list of the best law schools, using data submitted by each college. school. This list is used by students and employers to determine the merits of the university.
But on Wednesday, the deans of both law schools said: I no longer participate in annual lists by criticizing the publication’s methodology and claiming that the list actively perpetuates disparities in law schools.
“While we truly believe that U.S. News is operating at its best, it ranks 192 law schools on a small set of homogenous metrics that fail to provide an accurate picture of such a diverse set of institutions. Heather Gerken, Dean of Yale Law School, writes: “That approach not only fails to advance the legal profession, it , and impede progress.”
Harvard Law School president John Manning echoed these sentiments, saying that the way U.S. News chose to create its rankings “undermines the efforts of many law schools to support the public interest careers of their graduates.” We are transforming it,” he said.
“We share our concern that their debt metrics ignore school-funded loan forgiveness programs when calculating student debt, and expressed to U.S. News. supports students who pursue low-paying jobs, typically in the public sector,” Manning said in a statement posted on the school’s website.
US News chairman and CEO Eric Gertler defended the ranking in a statement to CNN, saying the list is part of the “mission of journalism” and a way to hold law schools accountable. rice field.
“The US News Best Law Schools ranking targets students seeking the best decisions for their law education. We ensure that students can rely on the best and most accurate information when making their decisions. “As part of our mission, we must continue to ensure that law schools are accountable for the education they provide to these students, and that mission continues in this recent Nothing will change with the announcement.”
Still, Gerken argued that the journal actively discourages law schools from offering help by focusing on LSAT and GRE scores, as well as GPA. That emphasis puts pressure on schools to turn down prospective students who may not be able to afford test preparation courses, and to use financial aid for high-scoring students rather than those who need it most. to school.
The rankings also penalize universities that support students seeking careers in the public interest or pursue doctoral and master’s degrees, Gerken said.
“Unfortunately, the ranking system is increasingly forcing law schools to offer strong support to students who serve their communities, accept low-income students, and target financial aid to students who need it most. It’s getting harder,” Gerken wrote.
Manning agreed that a focus on future student benefits has influenced how schools distribute financial aid.
“HLS and YLS have each resisted the lure of so-called merit aids, but have become increasingly prevalent, absorbing scarce resources that could be allocated more directly based on need.” Manning said.
Given the status of Yale and Harvard one of the most popular law schools in the country Movement is important.For years the rankings have been ignored by policy makers and those involved in higher education, but potential students and their families still refer to them. It could suggest a big shift from university rankings.
While the decision was praised, some questioned whether the move, if followed by other schools, would simply make it harder for the average person to choose. Which university to apply to.
In her statement, Gerken said the school would instead provide prospective students with data “in a public, transparent, and useful format” to help them make decisions.
