UConn Law School Takes a Tumble in Critical U.S. News Rankings. Falls from 50th to 58th in National Rankings.
The University of Connecticut School of Law has fallen from 50th to 58th in the most recent U.S. News rankings. U.S. News long ago carved out a spot as the popular arbiter of school rankings. A collapse of 8 spots is an alarming development. The UConn’s law school shares its place on the list with Baylor.
Knowing what a collapse in the U.S. News standard can do to a school’s ability to recruit faculty and students, UConn reacted with a statement Monday afternoon. It included the obligatory reference to changes in methodology.
Dear Friends,
As we move together toward the end of a challenging yet inspiring academic year and onward to our centennial, I’m writing to thank you for your support and to update you on news from the UConn School of Law.
Last week U.S. News & World Report released its 2022 law school rankings, and UConn Law ranked #58. Extensive changes in methodology make it somewhat challenging to compare this year’s rankings with last year’s, but our administrative team is analyzing the result, which represents a decline from #50. With the assistance of our outstanding faculty and staff, we will continue to seek ways to improve the law school and to enhance its profile throughout the legal academy and profession. We also remain committed to improving such student outcomes as bar passage and job placement, both of which are critically important notwithstanding the rankings.
It is important to recognize that no ranking can reflect the true greatness of our law school. Our small class sizes, broad curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, caring community, superb teaching, and commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and affordability continue to make a UConn Law education a superior investment.
As we build on our legacy of excellence, we have relied, as always, on the support and generosity of our alumni and friends. Last spring, as the pandemic canceled many summer internships and uncertainty around the bar exam disrupted post-graduate hiring, the Center for Career Development asked for your help in finding meaningful summer and post-grad opportunities for our students — and many of our dedicated alumni responded.
This summer, we again need your help identifying opportunities for our students. If your organization hires summer interns and may have space available or is looking to hire for the fall, please let us know. Our students know how to be effective in the virtual environment, so every location is an option this year. If a traditional 8- to 10-week internship is not an option, our students would benefit from part-time or project work. Please email the Center for Career Development at law.careers@uconn.edu<mailto:lawcareers@umich.edu> and let us know how you can help our students and graduates, and how they can help you.
There are myriad other ways that you can engage in UConn Law’s mission. The Admissions Office is grateful for the assistance of alumni willing to connect with prospective and accepted students. The Center for Career Development and Office of Alumni Relations seek volunteers to provide career guidance and networking through the Alumni in Residence Online program and the Practice Area Alumni and Student Career Conversations event. Our student affinity groups seek steering committee members to offer networking and mentoring. If you would like to know more about how you can help in these or other areas, please email Alumni Relations Director Alison Swain at aswain@foundation.uconn.edu<mailto:aswain@foundation.uconn.edu>.
Thank you again for your continued support of UConn Law, and for the warm welcome that so many of you have extended to me in my first year as dean. I look forward to working with you in the exciting times ahead, including in centennial celebrations that will begin this fall. Please do not hesitate to contact me at lawdean@uconn.edu<mailto:lawdean@uconn.edu> if I or the law school can be of service in any way.
Best,
Eboni S. Nelson
Dean and Professor of Law