Your post really resonates with me. My kid also had a very disappointing result from the UCs. He is waitlisted at UCSC and UCSD. He is a Computer Science major, so we knew it would be very competitive. It’s so hard to watch them go through this process. They are told (by us, their teachers, counselors) that if they get straight As, take all those APs, take classes at community college, do sports, volunteer, do other extracurriculars, get high scores on the ACT/SAT, write interesting and unique essays, then they will be rewarded with at least a few acceptances. Like you, we are SO grateful that our son also applied to some “safety” schools, and he has committed to one of those. Also, his grades/test scores led to that school offering their highest merit scholarship and honors college. We are REALLY grateful. He is now getting excited about this school, BUT, all that said, he still feels very hurt and confused. He still asks: “what did I do wrong?” I REALLY hope your daughter gets a waitlist offer; she clearly deserves one! Wherever our kids end up going to college, I’m sure they will succeed and flourish. They will look back at this experience with a different perspective, and I’m betting (hoping) they will end up feeling great about the college they attend. Best of luck to your daughter and all the hard working kids. 