I'm something of a splitter I have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA with a double major in political science and history from the University of Illinois, and an LSAT score of 170. Anticipating applying for fall 2013. I'll be 3 years removed from my undergrad when I apply, and served as a Marine Officer in the meantime, should be a solid soft. If my goal is just to get into as high ranking a school as possible, where should I look? I'm from Chicago and would love to end up nearby. Do I have a shot at NU, or should I just plan on heading back to UIUC?

Check out this thread: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=162680

apply early to Northwestern. I think it works best with where you are from, and I don't think they have a floor for their GPA. You still may not get in though.

ED UVA for highest ranking school, but hoping for NU is probably better for Chicago.

1 more point on the LSAT would help you a lot at NU from a quick glance at LSN. Is a retake in the picture for you?
The Lowest reported GPA they took this year from a non-URM with a 170 or less was 3.49. Bump it up to 171 and there is a 3.24 which is getting closer to you.
175+ would help even more but idk how well you did on practice tests and stuff to know if that is even realistic.

Here's a good example. memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=62512