Hi - I am a high school senior looking to apply to University of Michigan Ann-Arbor (top choice,) University of California (LA, Berkeley, or San Diego preferred,) Georgetown, and New York University. I have already been accepted to University of Iowa.
I have a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, a 5 on the only AP exam I’ve taken (only AP class my school offers,) am ranked #1 in my class of 145, and a 30 on the ACT, with an 11 on the writing portion. I have many impressive extracurriculars and work full time as a CNA.
Here is what I am asking: Instead of applying early decision like I thought I wanted to, should I wait, re-take the ACT in December, then apply to my chosen schools immediately after the ACT?
I feel like a 30 isn’t good enough, but as freshman classes begin to fill after ED deadlines, will my chances decrease even if my score increases? PLUS - will I have enough time to apply for housing or financial aid if I don’t get my decision until April?
Please help!! I’m in absolute agony over this decision 
It depends how much higher you think you can get your ACT score up. If you’re pretty confident you could get it up to a 32/33 then I’d say wait and retake it but if not I’d say don’t bother. A 1 point increase won’t matter much at all but 2 or 3 will make a difference.
Your scores and grades are strong enough to consider your application within reach @ U of M (in-state) Chances are your EA application will be deferred into regular admission though. Here’s how it worked last year:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-michigan-ann-arbor/1963344-university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-class-of-2022-early-action.html#latest
If you retake the ACT and receive a higher score, tell your admissions counselor when you send your 7th-semester grades. Keep in mind though, their process is holistic - strong applicants all have 30+ ACT and 4.0 GPA. What makes you stand out?
Above all, establish a rapport with your regional admissions counselor. They are more valuable than any one of us on College Confidential. Hopefully, you sought them out when you first visited campus your junior year or they visited your school/local college fair.
Most people receive their admission decision late March into April. The University of Michigan has perfected their housing/financial aid process. You will have ample ease and time to put everything in place should you be accepted. If not, you will already have things rolling at the University of Iowa or one of the other schools mentioned.
Best of luck.
Go Blue!
Unfortunately, I am out of state, so that’s why I feel as though I really need to increase this score.
I wasn’t able to visit any schools due to financial constraints. My parents and I have opted to apply first, then visit upon acceptance so as not to waste time off of work or money for travel expense. Is there any way I can create a rapport as you suggested without visiting first?
Sure. Make a short email introduction to ask a legitimate question about the application process. - like advice about how to handle an improved ACT score earned after the submission of an EA application 
"Unfortunately, I am out of state, so that’s why I feel as though I really need to increase this score.
I wasn’t able to visit any schools due to financial constraints. My parents and I have opted to apply first, then visit upon acceptance so as not to waste time off of work or money for travel expense."
Can you afford these schools? You won’t get any financial aid at the California publics (assuming you are not a resident of California), and Michigan is expensive although they do offer some aid to out of state students. Have you run the net price calculators at these schools?
Also, UCs don’t offer ED or EA, only option in RD. See, less choice, less worries.
Yes, we can pay for the schooling. My parents are divorced and not on good terms, so it is not possible for me to get them to work out an agreement to allow me to visit anywhere. I work to cover costs of score sending, any visits I may want to take, and application fees.
The family courts have established what share of my education and expenses my parents have to pay, so I don’t have to worry so much about the costs of tuition, housing, etc. It’s the application processes that are my biggest expense right now.