Second Cycle- Re-Application Strategy Forum

[Gungnir]

Hey all, I applied last cycle but decided to sit out, so here we go again. My numbers are 174/~3.2 with average softs and 2 years of law-related (but not firm) WE. Last cycle I was WL at all the T14s (minus HYSCC, Penn, Boalt) other than GULC, who did not give me enough money. I was accepted at BC, GW and WUSTL, but I was really t14-or-bust and did not give enough attention to my apps at those schools.

I want biglaw, but I really don't want to live/work in NYC. I also want to minimize debt. I live in Boston, went to undergrad here, and my family lives elsewhere in New England so my ties are pretty strong here. Chicago and DC are my next two target markets; I have ties in Chicago, nothing really in DC. I also took a trip to Denver recently to visit a close friend, which isn't much of a tie but I loved the city and wouldn't mind starting a career there at all. With all this in mind, here's my planned application list:
BU (ED)
BC
Northwestern
GULC
GW
Duke
Michigan
UVA
University of Colorado
University of Illinois
WUSTL

What do you think? Schools I should add/take off? Should I apply to Cornell or NYU even though I don't want NYC? I'm assuming I don't have a shot at NU ED with my poor GPA, although that would be my top choice if I did. I'm writing a new PS and getting a LOR from my current boss, are there any other suggestions on how to improve on my performance last cycle?