<p>@DrGoogle I’m definitely considering adding UCI by dropping USC, but why UCB? I won’t be applying to EECS if that’s what you’re wondering. I’ll be applying L&S CS.</p>
<p>ok, I was thinking of EECS. I guess that’s ok. But I still think you will be taking classes with other EECS and hence the competitiveness is still going to be there.</p>
<p>@bonsly I didn’t realize the 4.0 is weighted. I think it would be worth giving Rice a try. </p>
<p>@SoMuch2Learn
Yeah, sorry! I didn’t make my stats very clear, but they’re definitely nowhere near the level of the private schools I’m applying to. Rice it is! I might have a chance, a slim one at best.</p>
<p>@DrGoogle Definitely, true. It’s something I considered, but going to Berkeley would be pretty sweet, especially for the CS opportunities. Also, this may sound like a trivial reason, but my Dad doesn’t like Irvine so he probably wouldn’t approve of my applying 
He’s paying so I have little say hah.</p>
<p>TBH, UCI CS is better than UCD CS. UCD is better than UCI in Computer Engineering. But hey, it’s your dad’s money.
You most likely will end up with the matches then the reaches, make sure you like the matches.</p>
<p>@bonsly - I am a Programmer - Degree was in CS from Oklahoma State, though and it was back in the days when computers involved Tape</p>
<p>For a California private, how about Santa Clara? Good in CS, and they are right in Silicon Valley, so plenty of opportunities for internships and jobs.</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree on prospects for WUSL. I think this is a reach. Someone up thread discussed CMU. That would be a major reach for CS. Check out the stats for CS admits, it is pretty unbelievable. Basically need perfect test scores.</p>
<p>If you are talking Wash U in Washington, you would be a strong candidate. I am not conversant on their FA.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>@ColdinMinny I agree with you. I think s lot of people mistook my GPA for 4.0 UW . Trust me, i’ve done my fair share of research on CMU and i am far from getting in. Cmu scs is something like a <10% acceptance rate? </p>
<p>Yeah, not UW. Thats way out of budget, but a great CS school nonetheless.</p>
<p>@ColdinMinny oops forgot to respond to the scu post. We actually live really close to the scu area and its a great school, but the aid is prettyy poor. My sis applied a year back with slightly better academics and got some merit aid, but not enough to make it worthwile.</p>
<p>@bonsly Sorry, I could not tell from your post what the financial situation was. Yes, I have heard that Santa Clara is not particularly generous with merit aid.</p>
<p>Will you consider schools outside of Cali? If so, RPI seems like a possibility, with some merit aid possible.</p>