Penn State's ranking... Will it continue to get better? Forum

[bryanl87]

Hey guys, I'm accepted at Penn State, Villanova, and waiting on Temple... but the fact that Temple's ranking fell while Penn State jumped a significant amount is confusing me a little bit on my decision. What are your inputs?

[vanwinkle]

Their ranking is low enough that it doesn't matter too much. What will matter is that they're both T2 schools in the same region, meaning you'll have similar job opportunities graduating from either of them. Depending on your plans going to Temple might be better, since being in Philly would give you the opportunity to do internships and pro bono work during the school year and make connections that could help you get summer jobs.

Don't consider ranking too much here, it's not as important as those other things. Graduating from either one you'll still have to finish in the top quarter of your class to have the best post-graduate opportunities, so you need to look at the other factors in play to decide which is best for you.

[OGR3]

Hosting millions of online chats while neglecting applications is a surefire way to reach the T-14.

[beach_terror]

I've lived in Philly my whole life... even though PSU is jumping up the rankings, Temple alums have a strong hold on the Philadelphia market. If you want Philly, Nova/Temple will beat out PSU more often than not. Going to PSU doesn't mean you're shut out from the Philly market, but a Temple grad with similar qualifications will probably get the job over you.

Also, Temple students shoot people 5 times in the chest if you bump into them and act tough. You've been warned...

[ruleser]

Their ranking is low enough that it doesn't matter too much. What will matter is that they're both T2 schools in the same region, meaning you'll have similar job opportunities graduating from either of them. Depending on your plans going to Temple might be better, since being in Philly would give you the opportunity to do internships and pro bono work during the school year and make connections that could help you get summer jobs.

Don't consider ranking too much here, it's not as important as those other things. Graduating from either one you'll still have to finish in the top quarter of your class to have the best post-graduate opportunities, so you need to look at the other factors in play to decide which is best for you.

[anthonyc350]

i fell into the trap that PSU is an up and coming law school...

my cousin who works in the DA's office in Pittsburgh said he didn't even know PSU had a law school, plus they don't even offer in state tuition. Better off with pitt temple or villanova.

[alannak]

bookmarking..

[manbearwig]

If you want to live in central PA, go to Penn State. Otherwise, Temple's the best option for Philly, followed by Villanova.

Also, consider that Temple is ~$16,000 (in-state), Villanova is ~$29,000, and Penn State is ~$34,000.

[traehekat]

Hosting millions of online chats while neglecting applications is a surefire way to reach the T-14.

+1,000

[ram jam]

Hosting millions of online chats while neglecting applications is a surefire way to reach the T-14.

+1,000

+1,001

[sarlis]

Hosting millions of online chats while neglecting applications is a surefire way to reach the T-14.

+1,000

+1,001

hahaha. I've heard that there were just a bunch of gunners asking questions.

[traehekat]

Another online chat invitation... one more and I am going to lose it.

[mattymatt]

Another online chat invitation... one more and I am going to lose it.

No kidding. Just give me a bloody decision.

[shock259]

I'm glad other people are angry about those stupid online chat invitations. Ugh.

[bitlrc]

I've lived in Philly my whole life... even though PSU is jumping up the rankings, Temple alums have a strong hold on the Philadelphia market. If you want Philly, Nova/Temple will beat out PSU more often than not. Going to PSU doesn't mean you're shut out from the Philly market, but a Temple grad with similar qualifications will probably get the job over you.

Also, Temple students shoot people 5 times in the chest if you bump into them and act tough. You've been warned...

from what i understand, rutgers-camden has decent representation in the city as well, not to mention upenn

[beach_terror]

UPenn grads leave for NYC/DC a lot though. Yeah, Rutgers-Camden has decent representation as well.

[SoxyPirate]

my cousin who works in the DA's office in Pittsburgh said he didn't even know PSU had a law school

Your family sounds stupid.

[SoxyPirate]

Hey guys, I'm accepted at Penn State, Villanova, and waiting on Temple... but the fact that Temple's ranking fell while Penn State jumped a significant amount is confusing me a little bit on my decision. What are your inputs?

If you want to work in Philly, go to a school in Philly.

[Vincent Vega]

my cousin who works in the DA's office in Pittsburgh said he didn't even know PSU had a law school

Your family sounds stupid.

I understand that this is a testimonial that at least anecdotally PSU's law school doesn't have much of a reputation, but honestly? An ADA in Pittsburgh isn't aware of a T2 school in the same state? I mean, I am as much of a prestige whore as anyone, but I'm at least aware of all of the law schools in my state - Duke, UNC, Wake, NC Central, Charlotte, Elon, Campbell

[anthonyc350]

To be clear, didn't realize the DSL was part of PSU, it wasn't a knock on PSU really just thought it was relevant

[pjo]

I'm from western PA and actually anthonyc350 is about right. It seems that most bigger areas in PA are old school-regional strong networks and they feel comfortable hiring from top top law schools and the regional schools. In western PA at least I wouldn't be surprised if a Duquesne grad (T4) had an easier time getting a job than a PSU grad. Idk the truth about ppl never hearing of PSU law, I would think most attorneys have. Point is, most grads from Pitt, Duquesne, and even Case end up in Cleveland/Pittsburgh so the alumni base is huge there which affects hiring practices. Just go on some of the bigger firm's sites in Pittsburgh, for every 1 PSU grad theres about 5 Pitt grads and 3 Duquesne grads. I would think Villanova and Temple would be the same for Philly. PSU doesn't dominate any market, its in the middle of no where (no matter which campus you go to) and it seems like they do most of their placement in (state) government.

OP to answer your original question...I think PSU will fall in the rankings this year but not back to where it was two years ago (90 or so). I just think its current ranking is inflated. They're numbers still are not too good and I would say most of the ranking jump can be contributed to the new law building at state college and primarily the official name change from The Dickinson School of Law to Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of law. Its like just attaching the words "Penn State" probably increased its peer rankings and judge/lawyer rankings significantly