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I have a 3.6 / 173 but I have multiple LSATs (previous 166, 165) though I was hit with bronchitis and a fever the time I hit the 165. I'm thinking for a shot at NYU or Chicago or to avoid the waitlist for Penn, I'd need to ED one of the schools. Do you think I need to ED? If so, which one do you guys recommend?

Your gpa may be a bit too low for Columbia. Though it's still below the median for NYU, your LSAT is two points higher, and I think ED should make up for the gpa gap. IMO, ED to NYU is your best shot. Good luck homie

My 3.6 171 wasnt good enough for NYU ED. 173 may give you a good shot assuming you ED and they take the highest score.

Whether NYU averages or takes the highest LSAT score has been pretty unclear. On their website it says that they average but in practice, lots of TLSers have shown that sometimes they do take the highest, especially when the difference between scores is more than 2-3 points. Does this sound right?

What are your impressions of NYU vs Penn vs Chicago in general?

Do you want to practice in NYC?

I'd ED to NYU and write a very strong Why Penn? letter when you apply there.

I don't think you need to ED to any of Penn, Chicago, or NYU. If there is one that you really want, go for it, but if you don't have super strong feelings, I think it makes more sense to apply RD. If you make a compelling case for why you want to go to Penn, you'll probably get in with money. Not sure about money at Chicago, but you have a strong shot at being accepted there as well. The differences in employment prospects between these schools is small enough that personal fit should probably outweigh concern about ranking.

Visits are crucial before you ED. I ED'd at Chicago, and was WL'd. In retrospect, I'm so glad that I wasn't accepted, since I ended up being able to choose from among several T10 acceptances with money, rather than being at Chicago at sticker. Chicago's a great school, no doubt, but for me personally, I much preferred the atmospheres at Penn and Berkeley.