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My CAS GPA is a 3.49. I finished my degree this summer, and I'm applying this fall, planning to get my applications submitted by late October or early November. I've yet to take the LSAT, but I'm consistently scoring in the mid/high 170s on practice tests (highest score 177). If I do get around a 175 in September, what are my chances at a T14 school realistically? Most of the splitter info I've seen was for GPA between 3-3.3 and LSAT between 170-172, but I haven't seen much closer to my numbers. Also, another question, what is considered a safe school for a splitter? I have to go down the list quite a ways to find schools where my GPA is the median, but then my LSAT would be far above the 75th percentile, so I'm not sure where I should be aiming for my safe schools. Thanks in advance!

Extra info (if it helps) that I plan to include in an addendum to my application regarding the low GPA:
1) My degree is a BS in Physics from UCLA.
2) I finished my degree in 3 years (thus giving me less time to improve GPA).
3) My GPA improved each year: 3.05 first year, 3.5 second year, and 3.75 third year.
4) I worked part-time during the majority of my first and second years.

More info to be included with application:
1) Recommendation letters from a UCLA law school professor, professor within my major, non-major professor, and current employer (depending on how many I'm able to submit to each school, of course)
2) Resume with prior part-time work, current full-time job, and volunteer leadership position I've held for over a year
3) Hopefully killer personal statement (I'm a good writer, but I don't have any particularly exceptional life experiences/struggles to discuss)

It's pretty much moot until you actually have a score but 3.49/173 is rarely going to miss out on the entire T13 and usually gets $$$ at WashU.

You should focus less on this and more on doing as well as possible on the test. Be ready to retake if you fall short of 170.

Had almost identical stats to you (3.46, 173) and ended up pretty well.

Got a near full ride to WashU, slightly less at Vandy, and $ at Mich and Duke

Accepted at CLS and Georgetown as well.

You'll be fine. Just focus on actually getting results on the LSAT.

You'll definitely get into a few schools, especially given that you're a STEM major.

I had very similar stats and was shut out of the T13 + GULC but got $$$$ at WUSTL

I had lower GPA and higher LSAT. Got in Chicago and GULC and shut out the rest of T14.

You really need a few more points. You’ll be below 25% on GPA so you gotta be above 75% on LSAT to have good shots.