In the world of legal education, where myriad rankings vie for attention, Fortuna Admissions has introduced a pioneering initiative: the Fortuna Ranking of Law School Rankings.
This comprehensive approach amalgamates the results of prominent rankings like U.S. News & World Report with three other esteemed assessments — Times Higher Education, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, and ShanghaiRanking Consultancy — creating a definitive overview of the finest law schools globally.
Law.com spoke to Matt Symonds, the director of Fortuna Admissions, to delve into this innovative ranking system. Symonds disclosed that the rationale behind this initiative, stating:
“Fortuna Admissions compiled the ranking of law school rankings to provide law school applicants with a comprehensive look at how different popular rankings each take different approaches to prioritizing schools.”
Symonds emphasized the significance of scrutinizing rankings collectively, underscoring that while a law school’s ranking isn’t the sole determinant of one’s career trajectory, it undeniably influences opportunities and outcomes.
He asserted:
“Looking at the rankings in aggregate is an effective way to begin to piece together the true brand value of School X or Y amidst the year to year shifts we sometimes see in individual rankings.”
Presenting the Fortuna’s top 25 law schools, the ranking reveals a blend of traditional powerhouses and emerging contenders:
- Yale
- Harvard
- Stanford
- NYU
- Chicago
- Columbia
- Berkeley
- Penn
- Duke
- Michigan
- UCLA
- Georgetown
- UVA
- Cornell
- UT-Austin
- Northwestern
- Vanderbilt
- Boston University
- UC Irvine
- Minnesota
- University of Washington
- Fordham
- University of Florida
- George Mason
- University of Southern California
- Arizona State
While some familiar names continue to dominate, notable variations from the U.S. News rankings are evident.
Notably, Penn shares the seventh spot instead of holding fourth place alone, while Duke drops to ninth from its previous tie at fifth.
Furthermore, UVA and Northwestern experience a slight shift in positions, showcasing the dynamic nature of law school rankings.
Fortuna’s innovative ranking offers aspiring lawyers a comprehensive lens through which to evaluate prospective institutions.
