Getting ready to apply to NYU, Gtown, and Northwestern

I go to a Midwestern school around the 50's. I was top 25% this summer (good 1L grades, awesome 2L grades, terrible 3L fall). Not in the top 25% but still definitely in the top half. Secondary international journal, A in Basic Tax, gift Tax and supervised reasearch in tax this semester. I was an Accounting undergrad major at a regional liberal arts school. Awesome work experience including 1L summer at a national firm known for tax (didn't offer me summer associate for 2L summer though)

What are my chances at the above programs? also appreciate any advice on if the programs are worth the cost

The tax programs are hyper competitive to get into, especially at NYU and GT. Those really seem to be the ones the employers are most interested in. Of course regionally that could be different but the top 2 are clearly in demand almost anywhere.

Is there someway you can tell as a story regarding your bad fall grades? Is there something out of the ordinary that they could sympathize with and see give you a break?

It seems like you are a bit of mixed bag but potentially showing promise if you can tell the right story in your personally statement. Do you think your LORs will be good?

Does your midwestern school have any sort of relationship with Northwestern that might help out a bit? Most importantly do you REALLY want to do tax and that is all you want in life or is it just to improve your odds of finding employment in a challenging legal market?

If you can do GT or NYU for Tax, they are definitely worth it. Considering you are only out the application fees, why not give them a shot? Any interest in the U of F program? It is pretty good too. I'd say give all 4 a shot; NYU, GT, NW & U of F. Best ROI though is likely to be the first 2 if you get in.