if UCSC is UC Santa Cruz you should be aware that only about 8% of the frosh accepted this year has a GPA under 3.5 according to http://admissions.ucsc.edu/apply/parents-and-guardians/prospective-students/facts.html And the UCs look at course rigor; you have to list your planned senior schedule when you apply. Only taking math thru algebra is going to hurt your competitiveness