Hey all:

I didn't go to a prestigious undergrad. I had a 3.61 GPA overall with a major in communications & advertising. I took the LSAT last year and got a 153, which I felt was poor so I am taking it again. I expect to get around a 160 this time around, based on my practice tests. I am also female and not a minority.

I know my numbers are not stellar, but I am hoping that my female status will help me look "diversified" enough to get into a decent school. I am willing to go to school pretty much anywhere in Illinois or Michigan. There are a bunch of schools withing a reasonable distance to Cook county, Illinois.

Northern Illinois University
University of Wisconsin
DePaul
Loyola
University of Illinois
University of Chicago
Northwestern
Chicago-Kent
John Marshall
U of Mich
Detroit College of Law at Michigan State


Do I have a chance anywhere?

The good news is, your GPA and soft factors are strong. Hopefully you can come up with an an interesting story or two for the personal statement. That will help!
I think your chances are still fluid. The LSAT is the single most important factor in admissions, but it's the only one you can change in any reasonable period of time. If you want Chicago or Northwestern, work hard on the LSAT. Buy books, take practice tests, take courses, whatever you have to do. You'll need well over 160 (~170 for Chicago, high 160s for Northwestern) for those two, but even if you fall short it'll help your chances at Detroit College of Law and Illinois are money at the rest.

I'm not sure why you're confining the search to those two states, but assuming it's not family commitments or whatever else, consider broadening it. The higher your LSAT score, the more you'll cheat yourself if you don't.