I am personally of the opinion that LSAT prep has rapidly diminishing returns; obviously the difference between your cold diagnostic and your 3rd PT will be great, but I just think it tends to drop off steeply after that. Note that Testmasters/Powerscore don't advertise any actual statistics of improvement on their sites (which would obviously be the most effective way to advertise, after perhaps a guarantee), and Cornell LS claims that improvements of >3 points are exceedingly rare.
That having been said, no one doubts the returns that a few extra points can bring, and a subsequent lower score wouldn't tangibly hurt you (probably'd be real disappointing though).
angiej wrote:How do the stafford (government administered) loans work . . . I mean if I get a scholarship, do I get less of the government loan since my EFC or unmet need will be less?
Unfortunately (for you) all law students are considered independent (parental income is not a factor), and the only governmental need-based aid is in the form of subsidized interest loans. Fortunately, almost everyone qualifies for the full amount of "need-based" aid, including people who came out of decent jobs (e.g., military).
You will be eligible for $20,500 in DL (the old Stafford) loans each year, $12,000 of which will be unsubsidized (the 6.8% interest rate will accrue while you are in LS) and $8,500 of which will be subsidized (interest doesn't begin to accrue until 6 months after graduation; this is a GREAT deal, and actually technically better than having no debt at all). You'll also be separately eligible for the much-less-attractive Grad PLUS loans, which are non need-based and accrue 7.9% interest (and also a heftier origination fee) starting when you take them out, and have no 6 mo. grace period for repayment.
Additionally, need-based aid from the law school itself is generally taken from the same pot of $$$ from which they give merit-based aid, and consequently the difference is somewhat cosmetic, if not entirely nonexistent. I've heard Harvard is an exception, but basically don't rely on the school for need-based aid.
Edit: All the schools on your list are worth an app even with the current numbers. Come say hi if you visit ND, and best of luck!!