<p>I guess I should rephrase it as USC is closer in admissions selectivity to UCSD than it is to UCB/UCLA. What UCSD does with ELC is something it has an obligation to do for the state of California. USC has no such requirement. What you’re showing are very strong numbers and admissions to back that, and I’d like to see USC’s similar stats before we consider UCSD a comparatively “easy” school to get into. Also, I would consider USC slightly on par with UCSD in reference to the OP’s situation. He’s OOS, and UC’s have traditionally been unfriendly to people that aren’t residents. He’d probably have close to the same shot at USC since it won’t discriminate based on residency.</p>
<p>As for your safeties, I think lower tier UC’s are still going to be your safeties. 83% should at least be above a 3.0, although what it looks like without averaging freshman year might be different. CSU’s with the exception of CP SLO, CP P, and SDSU are likely going to be reliable.</p>