Chance Me/Match Me For UCs as an Econ major (MAJOR UPWARD TREND) [CA resident, 3.83/4.17/4.25 GPA for UC, economics, political economics, cognitive science, data science, business, computer science]

This is the easy part. For ECs, do what is right for you. Whatever you do, do it well. Treat people well. To me this sounds like what you have already been doing, and it is the right thing to do.

Leadership is not about being the boss or getting your way. Leadership is about helping other people, and doing the right thing.

Starting a business that is actually successful is a very good EC. Community service is a very good EC.

This makes good sense for multiple reasons. California has very good in-state public universities. My understanding is that on the most part they do not care about your freshman year grades. Also, in-state public universities are likely to be relative affordable for you.

You have a good list of schools to apply to. The only question I have is that I am not certain whether or not it contains a safety. Your guidance counselor should know whether or not some of the schools on your list are safeties. If not you might add one or two other in-state public schools.

My other comment is that given the excellent quality of your many in-state public universities, you should be focused to a large extent on finding a school that is a good fit for you. Rankings do not matter. Finding a good fit does matter.

I think that you have come back very well from a poor freshman year, and you are doing very well. Congratulations on the strong uptrend! This is going to help you a lot in the long run.

Best wishes.

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