Chance me 4.0 UW, 34 ACT chasing merit [NC resident, <$27k, theater, chemistry, pre-dental]

When chasing merit while top schools may have a few full tuition or close to it scholarships to get you to your 27K COA your best chances are to look at some mid tier schools if money is the limiting factor and you said you do not qualify for need base aid.
For LAC K college, Wooster or Wheaton for example