What Determines the Performance of Graduates? Selection Versus Quality: Evidence From Top Law Schools

Several studies have examined the factors that influence the performance of college graduates. Some studies have found that a student’s inherent academic ability determines the performance of graduates. Others argue that the quality of the education a student receives determines graduate performance. Ability cannot be directly measured; however, the majority opinion is that both student ability and education quality influence graduate ability. I investigate the determinants of law school graduate performance. My law school models offer many advantages over existing research, and my findings support the belief that a student’s academic ability and education quality determine the performance of graduates.