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I'm a Canadian citizen with a 4.1 LSAC gpa/176. I have already applied to Canadian schools but I am wondering if I should also apply to the T14, specifically schools with a PI leaning like NYU and Berkeley. I know that the general advice for Canadians NOT interested in big law is to stay in Canada. I am interested in PI but I don't know exactly what type of work I would like to do, and I know that many opportunities will be closed to me because of my citizenship. What types of PI positions would I be eligible for/would justify the increased debt load and moving countries?

Thank you in advance! As a first generation professional I'm still pretty confused about what types of work are out there.

Most of us, myself included, just don't know the track for being able to stay in the US unless it is via biglaw. I can say that your numbers are competitive for Y, and I'd go to Y even as a Canadian? I think H may carry some hefty prestige back in Canada as well, and perhaps could be worth it if there's loan forgiveness programs via YH and/or in Canada.
Where do you want to do PI work? If in Canada, certainly stay. If the states, no clue- this is a tough question, and the only real solution I can think of is to do a couple years in Big law and then audible. But I'd encourage you to contact folks in various positions who are Canadian and just ask them- I just don't think anybody on this board has the knowledge- maybe I'm wrong, but its a pretty big decision and a lot of money.

I'm far from an expert in the Canadian legal market, but I imagine HYS probably plays pretty well there even if you don't want to move to the U.S. But not sure about financial aid for non-Americans. If that's an issue, I'd consider seeing if any of the T14 will offer you a full ride or close to it and cross shop that with U of T.

If you are looking to immigrate to the U.S., you'd probably need to do a stint in biglaw and get a greencard before doing PI. But it's certainly possible to do PI after doing a biglaw lit practice.

I co-sign the above

Of course you should! You should go to the best school that gives you a full scholarship.