consumer reports: a newer, more honest rankings source?

[abony holmes]

I have to say, I love St. John's University Professor Jeff Sovern's idea of encouraging Consumer Reports to take the rankings reins from US News.

I’ve always been uncomfortable with US News' monopoly on the ratings machine, not just because of their methodology, but because they are a for-profit enterprise. The conspiracy theorist within me can't help but think a lot goes on under the table to manipulate the rankings and their methodology.

Imagine it: a dean (of a low enough ranked law school that it won’t ruffle any feathers) wishes to go a few spots up from its closest rival to increase enrollment. Because the methodology used by US News is so convoluted (and, some might say, arbitrary) the dean fudges some numbers, expels a few students, and sends a nice gift basket to the folks at US News. Viola!  The school jumps three spots in the rankings.

My poor conspiracy-prone mind would be so soothed to know that a different nationally respected publication is out there to challenge US News and keep their rankings honest. Not to mention the fact that Consumer Reports accepts no advertising money, and is a non-profit organization.

I can see where Consumer Reports would have problems ranking law schools from the perspective of consumers: they'd have to take into account hard to quantify categories like "student life" and find some way to force law schools to be accurate with their post-graduate data.

But here's the truth: With fees going up, the economy going down, and college graduates looking to law school as shelter from the storm, it would be nice to have some reliable information about which schools provide the best value for our dollar.

Comments

[Brian]

I'm not normally a conspiracy theorist, but this line kind of made me think:

"Mr. Morse of U.S. News says the magazine will run tests of how the change would play out in rankings, and then decide in January."

Checking the US News methodology against the results, then deciding whether or not to use it? That doesn't seem right...

http://www.volokh.com/posts/1219766963.shtml

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB121971712700771731-lMyQjAxMDI4MTI5NjcyMTY3Wj.html

[injury attorney west palm beach]

Indeed with fees going up, the economy going down, and college graduates looking to law school as shelter from the storm

Joshua