ED2/ regular chance

Hi everyone!
When I applied to my 2 reach schools I was deferred and I’m not sure if I should wait to hear back from them or ED2 to either Bucknell or Lehigh (which I like just as much). My main concern is that I will end up being denied from my reach schools (which I most likely will) and then be denied from the regular decision at Bucknell and Lehigh. I have heard that the Regular Decision is very selective at both these schools and i was wondering if this is true?
Here are my stats:
3.74 weighted GPA 3.62 UW
8 APs
30 ACT 31 Super Score
and 3 varsity sports and various clubs and community services including
starting my own charity (raised +100k) and interning at teen vogue

i know that ultimately this needs to be my own decision but i need some help please! thank you

@helpmeplease101

I am not a big fan of ED. You probably know that it is a binding decision, unless you cannot afford the institution, but that is a pain in the neck since you have to prove it . Now, if you know that Bucknell is your dream school, then sure go for it, but why limit yourself. Your stats are very strong and I imagine that you can get into alot of excellent universities.

Leigh superscores the act, but Bucknell does not. Just so you are aware.

BTW, what schools were you waitlisted at?

Thank you. I was deferred from Villanova Business Schooland Boston college but I’m just worried I’ll end up being denied

FYI you do not need to prove you cannot afford an ED offer. You can decline for financial reasons but you won’t know at the time if another better offer will come along. But ED IS a binding decision so you should be prepared to accept the offer. And with NPCs available now it should be possible to have a good sense of what the FA offer will likely be before you apply.