Arizona State recently took the top spot on SubtleDig’s first annual Party Law School Rankings. Of course, many law students and alumni took offense with the results, becoming rather defensive. Lawyers are drunkards, and we tend to take pride in our ability to consume massive quantities of alcohol at an almost super-human level. So for someone to come in and tell us that out there in the world there are other law students who party better than you is a giant kick in the balls. Before you go getting all bent out of shape though, just ask yourself one question: did it seem like you partied harder than your classmates, to the point where there was basically a night/day difference between you and the rest of your school? If so, you are a rockstar and your school probably got a mid-level ranking. But if you can honestly answer that you partied as hard as everyone else, then either your law school was crazy-fun OR it was straight-lame (and your idea of partying would put me to sleep). Again, don’t get bent out of shape. The rankings were based off surveys and despite Subtledig’s serious attempt, surveys aren’t perfect for gathering data (I’m not suggesting I know fool proof better ways. I’m just saying to take them for what they are). At the end of the day, Sutbledig’s ranking was interesting enough to stir controversy, but are these rankings an actual reflection of reality?

After doing some digging, it seems Arizona State’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law might be worthy of the top billing. The school itself is located in the middle of nowhere, and with nothing to do, the law students (and undergrads as well in this case) seem to take to booze like fish to water. In this regard, they probably are no different than their younger counterparts attending ASU for undergrad. And if the following quotes are any indication, ASU Law sounds like it would be a great place to party. So, what’s the word on the street?

Flamed – “I know a recent graduate from ASU. If she was any dumber we could fill her full of gum balls”

Living It – “I go to ASU, so i’m way too drunk to get a kick out of these replies.”

Objective – “I’m not all that surprised, seeing as there isn’t a damn thing else to do in Tempe but drink.”

Parental Suprise – “My oldest daughter goes to ASU. She really likes Stoli Vanil. Hmmm.”

White Flag – “Rigged, Tulane should be number one, partying there is an amateur activity. ASU has raised partying to a professional level.”

Living It – “I’m a Double Devil (ASU undergrad, ASU law) and not entirely surprised to see this ranking. ASU law was plenty difficult… ABA requirements ensure it. I was a straight-A undergrad but made middle of the pack in law school. Here’s an anecdote in support of the ranking:

During my 2L year winter final exams, a bunch of us invaded local bar pub Rula Bula (Irish-themed) to drink away our misery after the first three exams were done and only two remained the following week. One guy accidentally took the exam with him, packing it by mistake into his laptop bag and carrying it out. He got a cell phone call, at a point when he was completely blitzed, from the Registrar’s office, asking why he had not turned in his exam. He looked in his laptop bag and there it was. They told him he had to return it within 30 minutes or he failed the class. He staggered out the door in a blind panic.

He made it there in 25 minutes in the back of a police car. Yep, he got a DUI traveling the roughly 2 miles from Rula to the law building. He got pulled over and blew a .15. He explained to the cop his situation, and the cop actually let him drop off the test before taking him downtown.

I never heard whether it affected his Character and Fitness application to the bar.

Here we go Devils, here we go!”

These quotes are just a handful of what people have to say about ASU Law, and there are tons of other great ones online. The little anecdote by the last person is great, and a testament to their love of drinking. I will say that law students getting DUI’s isn’t entirely uncommon (we had multiple each year where I attended law school), so I don’t think it supports the ranking that well. And I would have been more impressed had the guy been able to successfully deliver his final and NOT got a DUI. But that’s simply my opinion. Still, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who really can’t agree that ASU Law is a worthy top contender for #1 party law school. ASU Law, keep up the good work.

ABOUT: Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Armstrong Hall • McAllister & Orange Streets • P.O. Box 877906, Tempe, Arizona 85287

ASU Law – Student Life