I’ve heard a lot of talk from both ends concerning student life and fit, but I want to consider, in-depth, the academic aspects of both universities for a physics major. I’m interested in research and will likely go on to work in academia, so any research/internship opportunities would be really valuable to me.
Perhaps visiting the physics department web sites (e.g. faculty rosters and advanced/graduate course offerings) can give you an idea of what areas of physics have the best representation at each school.
If you aren’t going to visit the schools and their departments in person, ask the admissions office to put you in touch with some professors and undergrads in the physics departments at both schools. Ask them about research opportunities for undergrads. How many students take advantage of this? When can they start–freshman year, sophomore, later? What kind of research are they involved in? Where do they end up for grad school? How about summer work?
Both are excellent options. I did a physics phd at Berkeley and had classmates who had done undergrad at both Berkeley and Cornell, and they came in very well prepared from both. As far as research opportunities for undergrad, I can’t say.
You really can’t go wrong from an academic perspective. Both universities have a long and very distinguished history as centers of modern physics research and education. Look at the course catalogs if you have any doubt about that. Look at the physics Nobel laureates who have graduates and/or taught at these universities. And since you have an interest in physics as a career either university will surround you with top researchers and prepare you for graduate school. You’ll have no shortage of opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects as an undergraduate at either university.
Both are equally outstanding in physics, so I would not worry about that. Focus on finances and personal fit.
Which do you like better, New York or California?