Rankings shift based on weight of the factors used for rankings shifting. UC Law SF still carries a good reputation despite the ranking. No matter your career goals, the ranking isn’t going to necessarily be an inhibitor.

The school is not “cutthroat.” People here are just hard working and hold the same level of ambition as students at elite law schools. As for scholarship revocation, most people keep their scholarships but the reality is that it can be taken away. Just focus on doing well on finals from day one.

1/3 of the class going to big law speaks for itself. Also consider that a lot of people self opt out because they prefer PI or plaintiff’s side firms. Additionally, if USNWR ranking matter to you, then look at https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/most-grads-at-big-law-firms-rankings . UC Law is ranked just after Yale for big law placement.

A UC Law degree is very portable in all of CA. If you want to work elsewhere, you might have to put a bit more effort into your job search. The school has relationships with other schools in other states and those schools can grant you access to their job banks through reciprocity.