Agree with this, if you can afford it, consider applying OOS to a couple of UCs, use rogerhub and see where your weighted GPA and weighted-capped GPAs are. Then focus on private colleges that focus more on 10th and 11th and can see the progression in grades. These colleges will still see your 9th year grades but will look at other things that would balance those grades. I know Stanford is one, but maybe some that are a little easier to get into.
“There are 485 kids behind you.”
Those aren’t the kids applying to UT-Austin stem programs, it will be the 84 kids ahead. I agree on the perspective part though.