<p>The UCs are tough with a 3.0 GPA, but you could try UC Santa Cruz or Riverside. With some of the admissions scoring you would get points for first-gen and hardship (having to work to help support your family). You can find admissions profiles for UC here and that will show you what percentages of people with your GPA got in. Your test scores will help!</p>
<p>[University</a> of California - Admissions](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/selecting/camp_profiles.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/selecting/camp_profiles.html)</p>
<p>You will be a match for some of the CSUs. BU is a reach, and the financial picture complicates things, but everyone should apply to at least one reach.</p>