Hi @h20sugar,
Good luck with everything this upcoming year! I am an incoming member of Wake Forest’s class of 2024, so I hope I can share some helpful insight. To re-emphasize what a handful of people were saying, Wake Forest places considerable weight on their supplemental essays. Wake has one of the more challenging applications, as there are roughly six questions the admissions committee makes you respond to. Be creative and thoughtful when you write. Compose multiple drafts, and go beyond the “cliché” topics, as that will go much farther than a standardized test score. That being said, make sure to consider the test-optional route if you think your scores are not up to par! They will not penalize you for not submitting them! I did not send mine in :).
Also, be a pro-active senior! Meaning, if you want to increase your chances of becoming a Deac, be in contact with Wake Forest’s admissions office and schedule an interview. Wake Forest, as many have already shared, cares a lot about demonstrated interest, so be sure to highlight your enthusiasm about Wake Forest in ways that go beyond merely applying, especially if you are a no-test applicant. The admission team wants prospective students to let them know that they are excited about being a part of the Wake Forest community, as those are the people they accept, which is why Wake has a high yield rate.
I hope this message is helpful! Again, I wish you all the best in your college search. Be open to new schools, and don’t look at College Confidential too much! Remember, no one on this platform is an admissions rep, and don’t be discouraged by all of the high scores and GPAs people post. There is so much more to admissions than what gets discussed on this website. Be confident and know that by the end of your admissions cycle, you will end up at the school that is right for you!