<p>I have only until 5/1 to make a decision, but I feel like I don't have enough information to decide! Please help!</p>
<p>I have recently been admitted to UCSC, UCI, and Cal Poly SLO for Physics. I want to go to graduate school along the lines of astrophysics. Which university is the best for preparing me for graduate school and my doctorate degree? What factors really matter: GPA, teacher to staff ratio, research, etc. and which university will help in excelling in these areas? </p>
<p>I would guess Irvine is best in the sciences, but I don’t know specifically. What campus are you most comfortable at? If I had to put them in order of prestige I’d go UCI, SLO, SC. The reason I put Poly before SC is because its majors are impacted.</p>
<p>UCI: Your immediate location kind of blows. As a former resident of Orange County, I’m not a huge fan. This doesn’t matter though due to the fact that you can drive to LA or SD whenever you feel like it. I love both of those cities so this of course makes me partial to UCI. </p>
<p>UCSC: Incredible town. Santa Cruz is one of my favorite little towns in the US. It is so kick back and beautiful. I can’t stand the campus though. It is so much like a Pacific Northwest sleep away camp, not my thing. Keep in mind that you’re going to have to either bus it or drive into town seeing as how the campus is a while up a road. You’re able to go on day trips to SF which is a good change of pace.</p>
<p>SLO: You’re in the middle of the state. The town itself is cute and pleasant but there’s really a limit to what you can do there. Period.</p>
<p>Bottom line-- go with whichever school you feel is right for you.</p>