<p>casablancama, your 3.65 UW GPA is slightly below the Emory middle 50%, which is 3.74-3.99, with an average GPA of 3.84. Your academic rigor seems fine. Your ACT score of 30 is within the Emory 50% of 30-33. While everyone worries about meeting the academic profile of an elite college like Emory, keep in mind that logically, 25% of admitted students fell at least a bit below the middle 50% in the academic profile (and the other 25% had a perfect 4.0 or at least a 3.9 and fabulous SAT or ACT scores). Furthermore, there are other factors considered. Thus, if you have a GPA that falls below the middle 50%, you can still gain admittance. If you are well-below, you can make up ground by having outstanding essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, demonstrated interest and other factors.
I do have two quick thoughts. 1) As an African American, you should benefit from URM status. Emory has three admissions counselors who are minority recruiters. I think that you should pick one of these and email him or her to mention your interest in Emory.
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2)You may also want to email the Emory swim coach and see if he can help. If you do reasonably well with these other factors, I think that you have a good shot at getting in. Good luck.</p>