Seems like a ton of UofM bashing going on right now for obvious reasons in social media, etc. Some is sour grapes to be sure, but much is misinformed, dated, or both. Does anyone have a good site, document, clearinghouse, etc that shows all the academic progress the school has made in some period of time ? I know I've read sporadic tweets and articles over time, but was hoping something had already been created with an exhaustive review. Thanks.

The whole academic thing is one big ruse IMO

Nobody has any rocket scientists on their football and basketball teams

(07-20-2016 12:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  The whole academic thing is one big ruse IMO

Nobody has any rocket scientists on their football and basketball teams

I understand, and agree many of these magazines who rate colleges are using dubious criteria or processes, but just something to show the progress. Just trying to counter some of the misinformation and negativity around the school and the real investments and progress that has been made.

(07-20-2016 12:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  The whole academic thing is one big ruse IMO

Nobody has any rocket scientists on their football and basketball teams

Lol no doubt. The B12 isn't banging down the door to get Yale to join.

http://www.gotigersgo.com/news/2016/5/18...6388bc3fe9

(07-20-2016 12:58 PM)cscottl1981 Wrote:  

(07-20-2016 12:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  The whole academic thing is one big ruse IMO

Nobody has any rocket scientists on their football and basketball teams

Lol no doubt. The B12 isn't banging down the door to get Yale to join.

Seriously we have a top law school if we had UT med we'd be probably above everyone in the big 12

It's a joke

Academic rankings are soooooooooo full of sh*t.

(07-20-2016 01:04 PM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  Academic rankings are soooooooooo full of sh*t.

mainly because ours isn't good.

Mainly.

I realize there is a valid debate around ranking methodology. I realize current status isn't as good as it needs to be ... but I know there's been progress. Just looking for a comprehensive list of those accomplishments if one exists.

I mean, anything I can argue against the ranking methodology is purely anecdotal but I have been to other schools than Memphis and we simply aren't far off some supposed 'much better' schools than us. In a ton of programs.

(07-20-2016 12:52 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  The whole academic thing is one big ruse IMO

Nobody has any rocket scientists on their football and basketball teams

Funny side note, former Tiger kicker Jonathan Cirtain is actually a rocket scientist for NASA.

(07-20-2016 01:12 PM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  I mean, anything I can argue against the ranking methodology is purely anecdotal but I have been to other schools than Memphis and we simply aren't far off some supposed 'much better' schools than us. In a ton of programs.

I've done collaborative international research with some of the best schools in the world (La Sorbonne, Harvard, Oxford, et al.). Memphis isn't nor will ever be on that level. I have also visited and worked with second tier/non-AAU colleges across the U.S. (most notably with the University of Alabama: a traditional academic outsider that is rapidly increasing its academic footprint because of an increase in endowment directly related to football success). Memphis is on par with those schools.


Cecil C. Humphreys has a horrible ranking. Its biggest selling point, the highest BPR in the State, isn't a selling point any more. However, my school's name has never precluded me from summer employment or otherwise negatively affected my career trajectory. I clerked at a fairly prestigious firm with students from Emory, Duke, and Vanderbilt along with every other law school in the state sans one. We were all in the same boat and the school's ranking didn't matter. If you want to work/practice in Tennessee, then Memphis is an attractive school regardless of ranking. If you want to work/practice in Chicago, DC, or New York, then Memphis isn't a good school. Then again, neither is Ole Miss, UTK, or Alabama.

Our law school gets a really bad rap but I don't think it matters unless you really want to be somewhere that only a T14 law school can get you.

(07-20-2016 01:29 PM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  Our law school gets a really bad rap but I don't think it matters unless you really want to be somewhere that only a T14 law school can get you.

Really? I thought we stacked up pretty good

I guess we get no points for the Kemmons Wilson lodging school or the Fogelman bidness school?

Well. Really bad rap may be harsh.

Law school rankings are fierce, though. If you ain't first (T1), yer last.

(07-20-2016 01:29 PM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  Our law school gets a really bad rap but I don't think it matters unless you really want to be somewhere that only a T14 law school can get you.

That's the illusion of the T14 draw to undergrads. So many incoming 1Ls expect to receive a Circuit clerkship, make partner at a big firm in NY within 5 years, and then assume the federal bench by age 42. That doesn't happen, but if it does then the only way to achieve that is at a t14 school. The problem is that 90% of law students, and those who rank schools, don't temper expectations. As a recruiter at Alabama (a top 30 school) told me: rankings shouldn't be the factor in your decision to attend law school. There are so many other metrics by which students should use. While ranks are important, LSAT quartiles, BPR, Graduate employment rates, and location are important as well.

Many T14 alumnae, faculty, and students will tell you that if one can't get an LSAT score worthy of a T14 then that person is not qualified for the legal profession.

(07-20-2016 01:32 PM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  

(07-20-2016 01:29 PM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  Our law school gets a really bad rap but I don't think it matters unless you really want to be somewhere that only a T14 law school can get you.

Really? I thought we stacked up pretty good

I guess we get no points for the Kemmons Wilson lodging school or the Fogelman bidness school?

Cecil Humphreys wasn't ranked this year by US News.

Dr. Rudd and the university have made major strides in two key academic rating areas since he became president. First, there has been a major effort to bring back former students who were a few classes short of completing their degrees, and helping them attain those degrees. Second, a huge investment has been made to attract high school students with 30+ ACT scores. My son, for example, had an ACT over 30, was accepted to Stanford, Harvard, Yale, etc. He accepted an appointment to USAFA but got hurt during basic training before school and could not attend. He chose Memphis over full-ride offers from Ole Miss, Alabama, and others. He was attracted to the energy and excitement created by the football team, new administration, and support by some outstanding business leaders who want Memphis to finally achieve its full potential.

The attitudes of Dr. Rudd and the people that are now guiding our university are a complete 180 from what it has been for decades. When we are finally given a legitimate seat at the big boy table, the university and city will explode with a dynamic energy that will make the areas SEC schools chit their pants. As an even more important bonus, Memphis will become a major desired collegiate destination for young, brilliant and vibrant scholars.

We have done so much in just a few years, imagine what our university can become when affiliated with other great institutions and all of the resources involved.

(07-20-2016 01:26 PM)neillis Wrote:  Cecil C. Humphreys has a horrible ranking. Its biggest selling point, the highest BPR in the State, isn't a selling point any more.

Why isn't that a selling point anymore? Is it not still the case or do people just not care about failing the bar exam?