<p>“Your ethnicity should also help you, I believe you said you were Russian. Not too many Russians there.”</p>
<p>Haha well I WISH white people could pull some ethnic card, but unfortunately you’re lumped into the ‘white’ category. Sorry lol. Yeah I’d say bioengineering at what you might consider a safety school was somewhat risky, and I’d definitely say you’re a reach at the top two UC’s - unless of course they really really like your essay (and they may will like it!). </p>
<p>Physical sciences isn’t impacted at UCB/UCLA as an undergrad, but I know a lot of phy-sci majors who are also premed, and competition at either schools in this respect WILL be extremely difficult. Go to either if you get the chance, good luck!</p>