...apply to all of them. They are overly competitive due to location, climate and scarcity. There're like 10 or so programs in CA, OR and WA. If you think you are highly competitive you can just be selective in the LA area--UCLA is one of the best. There are the academic powerhouses: SF, UCLA, UW, Stanford. On the other hand, UCSD residents love it, and everyone who visited VM and Oregon love them.