Does ED and Legacy/Alumni Rec Matter?

Hello, I’m a female senior in HS (from Florida) and am applying to NYU (among other schools). However, unlike the other schools I’m applying to, NYU is my dream school. Therefore, I am applying under Early Decision II. I’m not sure if this is going to increase my chances of admission or not, but I do believe that it will certainly show that I’m dedicated to NYU and that I really do want to go there. Also, my cousin is an alumni of NYU. Does this make much of a difference? He will also be writing me a recommendation letter. My stats are listed below, if that might help you inform me of my chances. Note that these are prospective stats. I’m estimating my GPA and ACT scores because these are what they will (most likely) be at the time of submitting my application.

I’m interested in primarily studying History and International Relations, but am also considering Sociology and Communications.

Academics:

  • ACT: 29
  • Weighted GPA of 5.5
  • Unweighted GPA of ~3.5(possibly 3.6)
  • Top 11% of class of 467 (55 out of 467)
  • APs: Psychology (5), World History (4), and English Lit (3)
  • Full-time Dual Enrollment student
  • Took all Honors and AP classes before Dual Enrolling
  • 4.0 unweighted GPA with Dual Enrollment (15 credit hours)

ECs:

  • Florida Girls State Delegate
  • Vice President of my FL YMCA Youth in Government Delegation
  • Candidate for State Office in the FL YMCA Youth in Government Program
  • Historian for Student Government Association
  • Mentor and Tutor for Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • 500+ community service hours
  • Sophomore year I lead a book drive for needy elementary school students and I gathered 560 books that I donated to a local elementary school
  • High School Mentor for the FL YMCA Junior Youth in Government Program

Honors:

  • Delegate for Florida Girls State
  • National Society of High School Scholars
  • 2015 Most Outstanding Statesman for the FL YMCA Youth in Government Program
  • AP Scholar Award

My “Why NYU?” supplement is great. My essay should be really good, too.

Does ED matter?:
http://admissionsblog.nyu.edu/2015/10/16/ed-more-than-you-need/