To ED or nah 3.45 GPA / 173LSAT Forum

[mccar]

Hey everyone, so I just got my LSAT score back and scored right around the average of my practice tests. I am from NY and would ultimately like to return there, my focus for now being on biglaw. What I'm really wondering is if I should apply ED to either Columbia or NYU as these are my top two choices? Are my stats good enough where you guys think I should ride it out and see about scholarship? Would retaking be wise or the difference between a 173 and a 175/6 negligible?
Thanks in advance for the input, I've included some info below.

Polisci and History Double Major at a large public
Average softs and average recs
KJD
Non-urm, multi racial (latino/asian/caucasian)
LSAT: 173
GPA: 3.45

Preferences:
1) Columbia
2) NYU
3) Michigan=Virginia=Penn
4) Cornell
5) Georgetown

[carlos_danger]

Consensus on these boards is to never ED unless it's to a school that provides a massive scholarship to ED admits (so, none of the ones on your list).

ED doesn't meaningfully help your admission chances but makes it less likely you'll get scholarship money. Just apply RD and with your numbers you have an ok shot at most of those schools, according to myLSN.

[Rigo]

Don't ED. You don't need Columbia or NYU to do generic NYC biglaw. It'd be much better for you to get scholarships at lower T14.