Top Law Schools

I know these schools have been compared plenty of times, but as a huge over thinker, I thought I'd ask advice for my specific situation.

Penn: $75,000 total
Chicago: $45,000 total
Waitlisted at Harvard

Financing: Loans

Stats: 170 (1 time)/3.9x

I'm from the Midwest.

Career goals: I would like to have a shot at clerkships/academia, which is where my problem arises: I know Chicago is better for these areas, but I can't see myself there. I visited both schools, liked them both (Penn maybe a little better), but I loved Philly and Penn's location, whereas I really did not like Hyde Park. I'm also interested in DC, and my s/o much prefers Philly over Chicago. If I choose Penn, am I throwing away future clerkship/academia opportunities? How big is the prestige gap between these schools?

Thanks guys!

The difference in clerkships and academia is negligible. I'd take Penn b/c of SO, preference, and 30k gap. Any one by itself probably wouldn't be enough to choose Penn over UChi, but all 3 = Penn. The prestige gap is small, and the employment gap is non-existent when it comes to biglaw.

I know this has become some tired trope on TLS, but:

Retake

Srsly, if you don't feel like you maxed out your potential, retake for a 175 and go to Yale.

Thanks for the input so far. I have considered reapplying, but I studied a LOT and felt really good walking out of LSAT, and I'm not sure I could do better. (bump)

I have a much, much worse gpa than you and same lsat, and I am going to retake. With your gpa, there is no way I wouldn't retake. Still UC or Penn are great options. I'd take Penn here (assuming no retake), though

I would like to have a shot at clerkships/academia

If that is really your goal, then you need to retake for HYS imho. Otherwise you need to be okay w/ biglaw. The gap for these goals is pretty much non-existent, but it's not great at either school.

For most people $75k at Penn would be a great offer, but since those are your stated goals, and you have the potential to significantly increase your chances at those goals by answering a few more multiple choice questions right, you should consider retaking.