I am applying next cycle, with a [EDIT] I am looking to either hit HYS or go to law school for as little money as possible. Based on the comments I have read here, and my stats, HYS seems like a longshot for me. If that is the case, should I go straight for NU's early decision? Numbers-wise, I think I will be competitive for the scholarship. However, I (will) only have one year of work experience come time to apply. I have seen people getting into NU with the stipulation that they defer for one year - hopefully I can get that.

Is this a good idea? I was originally considering U Chicago, but I don't think I will receive substantial money there (at least not as much as NU), and job placement doesn't seem to be drastically different for one over the other. OTOH, if I ED Northwestern, I am forgoing the chance to get money from other T14 schools. With that said, I would ideally like to bring that degree back with me to Chicago, and in that sense the Chicago law schools might have an edge. Normally I wouldn't consider these kinds of deliberations until my cycle is complete, however if I apply to NU early, I am more or less forgoing my chances at other schools (including the small chance of HYS). Thoughts?

You have a good shot at H. You will probably get into Columbia, Chicago, and NYU. You will probably get money from one or all of these schools. I know NYU throws at least $75k at people with your stats. You can probably get more from Michigan, Penn, UVA, and Berkeley.

In sum, I would apply broadly and not ED to Northwestern.

Don't ED NU. You should blanket the T14 and use scholarship offers to negotiate with schools you wish to attend.

If you want to work in Chicago, free law school at Northwestern is a pretty goddamn good deal.

Your numbers give you a good chance at significant money at CCN and you are underselling your chances at Harvard, as you will most likely get in there as well. But