<p>That’s a great improvement and will help a lot for UC’s. UC’s aren’t as selective about the SAT scores as Stanford. Berkeley and UCLA will be interested in your story, so essays are important. It is okay if you have unconventional thinking–original thought is good. But you don’t just talk about philosophies in essays, you have to talk about what you do and how you act on it. I don’t know if that is your UC gpa or what, so I don’t know where you stand. What is augmented?</p>
<p>Now that’s if you are a green card holder. If you are not, then you are back to slim chances.</p>
<p>You need to have a couple of safety schools that you can get into and can afford.</p>