Where should I apply? Poor GPA, Good SAT

Applying to College
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<p>I am a senior in HS, and I have some ideas of where I want to go, but i feel like I won't be applying to enough universities. I live in California, go to the best public school in my district in San Diego, and I am pretty sure I want to stay in CA. My high school transcript looks somewhat like this:
SAT: 740 CR, 710 M, 640 WR, 2110 Composite
GPA: 2.9 UW, 3.1W, 3.45 UC GPA (I got a 2.4 freshman year and a 2.9 sophomore year so those bring me down alot, thats why my UC GPA is so much higher.)
Extracurricular: VP of the Young Democrats club for 2 years, active member of Link Crew (a club where you acclimate incoming freshman for those that don't know) for 2 years. Guitar and Piano for 9 years, 100 Community Service hours including several beach clean up days and helping to film a news show for my school.
I had a traumatic experience happen at the beginning of Junior year that really woke me up and made me focus on school, so I have a tremendous upward trend: 2.4 Freshman year, 2.9 Sophomore year, 3.75 junior, so far on track for a 4.75 first trimester of Senior year (8 AP's total). I know my GPA is really lackluster, but my SAT is relatively high and my school is EXTREMELY competitive for a public school. My dad went to UPenn undergrad and Princeton grad, so he is really pushing me to get into the best school I can. According to Cappex.com UCSB might be a match, not really sure where else to apply, Berkeley being my dream school (willing to transfer).</p>

<p>EDIT: forgot some things:
SAT II: 700 US History, 660 Math 2
AP Tests: Calc AB 4, English Lang 4, US history 4, Euro history 3. Plan to take Physics, Lit, Psych, Gov tests this year.</p>

<p>Major: Engineering or biology
I am also a PADI certified Scuba Diver</p>

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<p>I think your GPA is too low for Berkeley and the likes but you have a shot at lower tier UC’s like santa cruz and merced. If not you can always go to community college and transfer after 2 years (which I’ve heard is really easy if you have the grades!)</p>

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<p>If you look at strong state schools outside of California, you will find that your SATs and upward grade trend will help even more. Some private schools will also be more forgiving as they look at your overall application. Your ECs are not unusual, so those may not hurt or help. Some schools even ignore the freshman year, so also consider a school that only looks at your sophomore, junior and 1st semester senior year so you don’t shortchange yourself on reach schools. </p>

<p>Also, since your interest in Biology and Engineering, you may want to consider Bioengineering or Biomedical Engineering. </p>

<p>Keep up the great work!</p>