Agree. My nephew’s best friend, attended UCSD while my nephew attended San Diego State. Both attended the same HS school in Chula Vista. The friend always came onto the San Diego State campus because there was “more to do” and a “better vibe/school spirit”.
You are putting “all of your eggs in one basket” by assuming that you’ll be accepted at UCSD. If you were rejected, you might be rejected again because not much will have changed, within the past year, except coursework.
My other nephew, attended SDSU and majored in political science. He was planning on going to law school but realized that the market was over-saturated and the hours were intense. He did have internship in Sacramento, at the Capitol.
He loved his time at San Diego State. It’s a bit more collaborative than UCSD. Edited to add: this nephew changed majors from Poli Sci to Construction Management and loves it! Go Aztecs!