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Working on a cover letter. Go to MVP. Have no ties really anywhere, but I definitely didn't go to school here because I want to remain in the region. Also, don't want NYC. What do I say? Should I just say that I do have ties there (e.g. just say I have family there or something like that)?

I wouldn't suggest lying about it.

So does that mean you go to school in the region you went to UG? Where you grew up/family is from?

If you aren't from the United States (the only way I can imagine that you wouldn't have ties anywhere) then you can justify any big city (and some secondary markets) by citing things like "diversity of population," "cost of living," "weather," etc. It would also be very helpful to say you've visited there.

I am in a similar boat. Most people who live and work in a particular place want to believe that they live in a pretty great place, so it shouldn't be too hard to convince them you want to be there too. Just mention you're not interested in the whole NYC hustle, say a few nice things about their city, and hope for the best. Honesty seems a better policy than something like "Ever since my sister moved to Des Moines and began dying of cancer there, I knew that I was 100% sure I wanted an Iowa firm job."