<p>If California is your goal, the catholic schools there are a very good deal for admissions. So are a number of the smaller private schools. I second Carolyn’s choice of Santa Clara. I think the same may go for some east coast schools as well. There are a number of catholic schools there as well that can prepare you well for grad school, along with a number of private schools. Bear in mind that many of the states schools are going to be very expensive for you if you are OOS, and getting aid as an OOSer is not easy.</p>