<p>If you're from California, but you're an international student (you travel abroad a lot), do you still have an excellent chance at the UCs?</p>
<p>Are you a US citizen? If you are not a US citizen or a permanent resident (ie you have a card) then no, you are considered as an international student and judged against the international pool.</p>
<p>Best chance at UCs is to be a California resident. That means your parents live in California. They can travel abroad a lot, as long as they come home to their residence in California and pay income taxes in California. Being "from" California doesn't help if you don't live there anymore.</p>
<p>no, that was just a question.
I mean, one classmate of mines lived in California until 8th grade, and then left for China..</p>
<p>If your classmate and her family moved to China, then she won't have the advantage of being a California resident. If your friend was sent to China for boarding school, or to live with extended family, and her parents (or even one parent) still live in California she can claim California residency.</p>
<p>Depending on her stats, she might have an chance at the UCs even if she applied as an International student.</p>
<p>(And I don't know why I'm assuming your classmate is a girl. If it's a boy, change all pronouns to male gender. Sorry.)</p>