So I got deferred on February 20 (3.9/162), and mailed in a LOCI on March 2.  I decided to double-check that it got there a few days ago and I find out they never got it.  Obviously, I immediately e-mailed it to them and along with a note saying that it's my 1st choice school (it really is at the moment) and I would really love to hear back soon.  Now I am freaking out because I know of many people who were borderline applicants, got deferred, sent in LOCI, and got accepted a week or so later.  Would this have happened to me if they actually received it in early March?  Are my chances seriously diminished because they lost my original LOCI?  If there's anybody out there with similar numbers who sent in a LOCI and hasn't been accepted yet or who didn't send one in and was accepted, I would love to hear about it.  I'm just really worried that this mishap will cost me an acceptance to a school I really want to go to.

Actual cost breakdown for each for 3 years (including cost of living and applicable scholarships):

BU: $155,400
Wisconsin: $103,140
Loyola: $106,500 (although I can probably barter for more to make comparable cost to Kent)
Kent: $82,500

I'm from the midwest, but wouldn't mind practicing either there or out east.  I just want a good job when I graduate (BIGLAW).  I don't need a concrete decision because I'm waiting on other schools still, but can someone help me at least eliminate some?  I've visited Loyola, Kent, and Wisconsin, but I'm currently planning on going back to Loyola and Kent for ASW in the next two weeks.  Should I even bother going?  First impression told me I liked Loyola more than Kent but I'm trying harder to like Kent now because of how cheap it is.  Somebody give me some advice here (it can be a few words or a few paragraphs).  Anything is appreciated.

Here's my deal:

As of now, I'd rather practice in the midwest, but only because I've never really been out to CA/don't have any family or friends there.  I'm a MN resident so I get in-state tuition at Wisconsin (almost half the price of UC-Davis).  I also have a serious girlfriend who will be in Chicago.  However, I want to work in BIGLAW and I found some interesting stats for each school from NALP.  UC-Davis has 145 BIGLAW firms (defined as those with starting salaries over $100K) recruiting on campus for a class of 190 students.  Wisconsin has 80 BIGLAW firms recruiting on campus for a class of 280 students.  Conventional wisdom would say go to Wisconsin but I just can't get over those employment numbers (and I don't really know anything about Davis or the surrounding area, but I've heard good things).  Any suggestions/advice/other information that is helpful would be appreciated.

By this, I mean that employers do not get to submit minimum requirements for the students they interview (class rank, law review, moot court, etc.).  If students are interested in interviewing, they put in a bid and are chosen completely at random.  Schools that I know of that do this are Chicago and Northwestern (although I imagine many t14s use this method as well).  Anybody else know of others?

Do schools really care if their alumni recommended you?  I asked some alumni I knew (2 family friends and one former boss) to write me a recommendation to the school they went to because I thought it might help a little.  Does it help in any way?  If so, how much?