Thank you for all the good advice. I'm not a typical student, but I won't take the time to describe myself, except to say I'm a 42-year-old male, currently single, no dependents, and I want to stay very, very close to family in Southern California.
Caltech is like pie in the sky, so I had to apply. Next year, I'll widen my search. I've visited UCLA twice, and I didn't like them. Traffic, parking, housing costs, and their computer science department has a closed-door policy (I thought I'd drop by and talk to professors, and find one or two who had similar research interests, but this is not allowed).
I did my undergrad at UC Irvine, and I don't want to return. I've visited UC Riverside twice, and I love them! I was able to speak with professors (they leave their doors open while inside!), and I was invited to stay for a research seminar.
Geographically, I live very close to USC, just down the 110 freeway from me (I can always buy a car!), so next year I'll have to apply there, but I don't want to live in South Central LA.
Any other recommendations?
Sincerely,
-the lizard