I’m a student from California, my school is really rigorous and ranked #5 for academics in California, #109 in the US. My mom graduated from UW
Scores
GPA: 3.41 W
9 AP classes, heavy rigor (I’m aware I have a weak GPA, I had under a 3.0 sophomore year because I transferred to a really rigorous school and it came as a shock to me, but junior year I have a 4.25 weighted)
SAT: 1170
ECs: Mission trips through Church, Varsity Swimmer, started Investment Club at school, hold a job, and volunteer at my Church.
Senior Year Courseload: AP Statistics, AP Literature, AP Government/Economy, AP Art History, and several electives.
Intended Major: Biology
UCSC is getting to be a tough school for many applicants. Your UC GPA and test scores are below the averages so I would try to bump up your test scores, since GPA is what it is at this point. Showing a upward trend from Sophomore to Junior year will help and UCSC will consider the competitiveness of your HS.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.40-3.79 for 2016:
UCB: 2%
UCLA: 3%
UCSD: 6%
UCD: 15%
UCSB: 14%
UCI: 13%
UCSC: 59%
UCR: 78%
UCM: 92%
Freshman Profile to 2016:
GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students
High School GPA: 3.65 - 4.09
ACT Composite Score: 25 - 31
SAT Critical Reading: 530 - 660
SAT Mathematics: 560 - 700
I would say 50/50 chance. Make sure you apply widely and have some safety schools on your list.
Best of luck.
I believe the large payments for housing are not required until around July. I am not sure if you would loose your top housing preference.if you wait until July/August to make payments.