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If you have decent grades and test scores you have many options. UC schools are hard to get into but if you fall within the score range you should apply. I would not count out the csu schools either. Some are decent for certain programs. Doing research is a really good ec. Not everyone has the opportunity. If that doesn't work for you California has a really good system where community college students can transfer to a UC. There are also certain schools that give you an automatic scholarship if you have a certain SAT score and GPA. I would recommend expanding your search outside of California.

In terms of diversity in most cases being Ukrainian (or Russian or any Eastern European they often can't tell the difference) will not help or harm you especially in state schools. However, there are a lot of high achievers from that part of the world so it might hurt you at some elite colleges. Like they don't have a formal slav quota but if their going to take them they will take the "best" they can get. But outside of those few schools it is usually a neutral and you will be considered white. I was born in an Eastern European country so I had a similar experience. If you are a good writer you can write about being a first generation American or any hardships you parents went through. Good luck.

/r/ApplyingToCollege Thread