<p>prereqs are vital. and where we live (geography) is in my opinion also very important. someone with equal stats who lives in LA would take preference over someone who lives in northern california. this is a good thing because moving is something that students can ill afford! something to keep in mind. listen, it is just crazy how things go in the world but you are obviously a smart person. maybe you can get into cal. anyway, ANY UC is a superb school and five of them are listed as the Best Public Schools in the Country. how lucky are we? graduate school is just around the corner, and you can apply to another school once you get a BA. good luck on friday is you applied to CAL. i did and of course i am a bit stressed about their decision. good luck. and i really feel for you dude. but we must be tough to be happy. </p>
<p>p.s. if i were you, i would also just appeal. they may discourage it, but you have nothing to lose!</p>