You guys applying as in-state or out of state? That actually makes a big difference because they probably have quotas to meet. So it's actually more competitive if you're in CA and want to go to a CA school, because so many people want to go to UCLA, USC, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. from out of state.

I wouldn't do the straight from HS to college route. I didn't take my SAT's either and it don't mean jack. If you don't get accepted, ef em and go to a CC and transfer. Save a lot of money and it will get you to the same place, just a different way.