I'm from New Hampshire and go to Case. Fewer than 10% of the people I knew in NH had heard of Case at the time (although most have now, thanks to the VP debates and MTV aired commercials). I had a 1L summer job in NH months ago. Just go to the best school you can and do the best you can, and you'll be able to get back to whatever geographic area you choose. It's the advice I was given, and I think there's alot of truth behind it.