Chances for UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara

Major: Biology
UW UC GPA: 3.6
W UC GPA: 3.86
ACT: 35
SAT II: Bio M - 780 Math 2 - 800
Very Good ECS (did research that recently got published)
Very strong personal insight questions

AP/IB or DE courses? Capped weighted UC GPA is 3.86?

You have great test scores, a highly regarded EC with the research but why a lower than average GPA? Do you go to a highly competitive school with grade deflation?

Other schools on your list? Safeties?

Edited: Went back to your previous threads so you do go to a competitive HS and your EC’s are equally competitive. Again, your GPA will impact your chances since it is below the averages for all 3 campuses. Colleges like to see good grades over a period of time since you will attending these schools for an education. Even though the UC’s tend to be very GPA focused, your test scores speak well about your capabilities as a student. I would say your chances are greater than the posted overall admit rates but I would still put them as 50/50.

Biology is an impacted major at these campuses. UCSB does not admit by major into the College of L&S, but you are accepted as a “Pre-Biology” major and you must take further classes to declare the major.
https://my.sa.ucsb.edu/catalog/2018-2019/Documents/2018_Majors/LS/EEMB/Pre-Biological-Sci_2018.pdf
UCD admits into the College of Biological Sciences directly.
UCI admits into the University first and then into the Major. I suggest you also select an alternate major as a backup.

2019 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCSB: 4.16
UCI: 4.13
UCD: 4.13