<p>Hello, quick question for any Berkeley or SD astrophysicists out there (or anyone who can give me more information):
I'm a prospective Astrophysics Major, but I'm also interested in Aerospace Engineering, and Computer Science is also at the top of my list of majors (and as far as I know, Berkeley would most probably be better for that, but...)
I've been accepted at both UCB and UCSD (and wait-listed at Caltech, but if I'm accepted there, I won't have much of a decision left to make =] ), and am now trying to get my final decision sorted out. I've gone on college tours, visited campuses, looked at housing and all that good stuff, but I'm still unsure about where I want to go. I'm obviously attracted to UCB's powerful reputation, but UCSD has a very nice campus, and the university is growing fast (in prestige, etc.).
So, basically, after factoring in all this other stuff, my decision is now centered around which astrophysics/astronomy department or program is "better". I've been told that UCSD is superior in this respect, so I wondered if anyone could confirm this and give me any more information.</p>
<p>-Thanks,
Alistair</p>
<p>You obviously want to go to UCSD, just go to UCSD.</p>
<p>I don't know... They're pretty evenly-matched in my mind. I'm just hoping to get all the information I can before I make my decision.</p>
<p>If they are evenly matched, then go to Berkeley. Astrophysics is hardcore. You want to be at a place like Berkeley for that kind of thing as an undergrad.</p>
<p>Seriously, does UCSD offer anything comparable to Physics H7A/H7B/H7C? If you want to go to Caltech, you want to be taking that level of courses.</p>
<p>I know a professor who teaches Astrophysics at Berkeley. They have a great program where after you've taken the introduction class you are apply you use the labs and telescopes to do work and research. It seems pretty intimate.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info guys! Anyone else had a first-hand experience with the Astronomy department in either SD or Berkeley? I guess I should post something on the UCSD forum as well.</p>
<p>UC Berkeley is tied with having the best Astrophysics department in the country. UCSD isn't on any top listing. Speaking from experience (I'm an astrophysics major), Berkeley has some of the very best professor's leading in cutting-edge research. So if you are making your decision about which has the better program, it is Berkeley by far.</p>