Chance Me (Wake Forest, Emory) por favor!

<p>I live in South Carolina, where I attend a public high school. It's not extremely competitive, but has a very large IB programme. (In fact, it has the largest IB programme in the state)</p>

<p>Schools:
(where I think I stand a good chance)
Wake Forest University (<-this is probably where I will end up)</p>

<p>(a reach, but still possible)
Emory University</p>

<p>My information:
Background:
Ethnicity: White
I am a first generation college student; my dad sells insurance, and my mom is a kindergarten assistant teacher. </p>

<p>Stats:
ACT: 29 (31 English, 30 Math, 30 Reading, 25 Science)
Rank: 27/259 (10.4%)
SAT: N/A
Weighted GPA: 4.316
Unweighted GPA: My high school doesn't calculate it.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Drama Club for 3 years, Historian and member of leadership council. I will direct a play in the Spring of 2010, and have starred/teched for multiple shows.
Green Club- I started this, it is an environmentalist organization that serves the community by raising "Green-scene living" awareness, has a current membership of 15 people; I am president and founder.
City Youth Council- one of 7 members chosen for my high school in the entire city for a membership spot; works with city council to address issues concerning the youth of the city.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes- I regularly lead sermons and participate in weekly devotions.</p>

<p>I am also a member of the National Honor Society, the National Beta Club, and I am an honor bar recipient for the International Thespian Honor Society.</p>

<p>I wrote a fantastic essay for the common application. My English teacher said no other student in the world would submit something like this.... so that's a + haha.</p>

<p>What do you think are my chances at these universities? I think I have a pretty good shot at Wake Forest for regular decision, which is about a 38% acceptance rate, but I'm hesitant as to whether or not I should do early decision there and raise my chances to approximately 53%. Should I risk it? What I'm saying is, would Wake Forest be about the best place I could get in to? </p>

<p>Please help me decide whether or not to do E.D.... :0</p>

<p>Also, if it helps assess my candidacy, I was deferred E.D. from Duke University on December 10th. So clearly, I must be a decent candidate, right?</p>

<p>I'm going to retake the ACT in February (signed up and everything haha) and I expect to get a 31. Normally I get like 28's on science, but I had a bad day. The 29 was my first take haha.</p>

<p>Also, I am in a very demanding course load. In high school, my total schedule would include 9 Honors classes, 6 IB (full IB) and one AP class.</p>

<p>that ACT will hurt, but Emory is fairly holistic in their admissions process…if you like Emory a lot apply ED II (I’m not sure if you still can with the Duke deferral) but I wouldn’t apply ED to Wake (just my opinion) with a fairly high acceptance rate it would seem that you would get in…just my take</p>

<p>So you think I have a fairly good chance at Wake Forest? Since they are in the middle 50%, should I send in my ACT scores or not?</p>