<p>Here’s a short answer to your long post: the “rumor” you mention is true. The schools prefer higher GPAs and will not take into account the prestige of your undergrad institution to a great extent. A 4.0 from State U, all other factors being equal, will probably be selected over a Harvard grad with a 3.9. A 3.9 from State U and a 3.9 from Harvard is a different story, as the law school might choose to use the Ivy League credential as a tie-breaker. The degree itself will make a difference–law schools understand that science-oriented degrees generally have lower GPAs, and will be deferential. A 3.9 with a Mathematics BS versus a 3.9 with a Political Science degree will probably result in the Math grad being selected. </p>
<p>Here’s a little bit of advice then. Go to your state school and minimize the money you are going to spend on your undergraduate education. Get scholarships. Do whatever you can to come out with AS LITTLE undergraduate loans as you can, because you will probably be taking on close to $150,000 of law school debt, and as you say, there’s no guarantee of making big bucks.</p>