Good GPA,but really bad SAT

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Ethnicity/gender: Half Black and Half White Male

Grade: Rising Senior

GPA: UW:3.75 Weighted:4.37 UC:4.12
Class Rank: 35 out of 512
SAT: 1470/2400 (planning on taking in Oct. again)
AP scores: Human Geo 3, Bio 3, Us History 4, World History 2
Senior Classes: IB senior english, AP Physics 1, AP calculus AB, AP government, and AP Spanish

Extracurriculars: (years)
Cross Country (3) jv 1 year, varsity 1 year, don’t know about this year
Track and Field (2)
jv academic league (1)

Community service:
My school’s STING program
America’s Finest Half marathon

Income:
100,000-140,000

I am a CA resident and want to major in Biotechnology from either UCSD, Cal Sate San Marcos, Cal State Fullerton, or UCD. Also, I will be a first-generation college student. The highest level of academic achievement for both of my parents is 1 year of community college. Does this have an effect in the admission process; even though, they are helping pay for my schooling? I feel like if I improve my SAT by 100-200 points the UC’s will be within reach with good essays. As of right now I think:

Safeties: Cal Sate San Marcos and Cal State Fullerton

Reaches: UCSD and UCD

2

I agree with the list. As you said, those reaches turn to matches if your SAT goes up about 300 points.

3

Have you tried the ACT? If not, I suggest you take it, because many people do better on the ACT than the SAT. If you can get a 32+ on the ACT, UCD will become a match, and UCSD will either be a match or a high match depending on your major.

4

Your GPA is competitive but even if you can get your SAT up around 1700+, both UCD and UCSD will still be Reaches unless you write some amazing essays. Average SAT for UCD: 1924 and UCSD: 2035. The ACT might be worth your while, so I would definitely consider trying it.
If you are interested in Biotechnology, also include Cal Poly Pomona on your list. CSUSM is a definite safety and CSUF/CPP would be a High matches unless you can increase your test scores.

Good Luck.