<p>You’re lucky to have 2 or 3 UCs that you like and could get into that are some of the best public universities in the world and that will cost you much less than any of those other world-renowned universities. Your scores are very good. Your odds of admission may be average or above. What a great position to be in.</p>
<p>Are you looking for a sure thing? There are no sure things in life, and no one can promise you any. Lesson learned? </p>
<p>You’ll get a very good to world class education at any one of the five UCs you have in mind. And you’ll do it relatively inexpensively. I’ve got a lot of envy but not a lot of sympathy for you, OP.</p>