<p>I applied to 4 UC's: LA, San Diego, Santa Cruz and Irvine.
So far I've got accepted into Irvine and Santa Cruz(and possibly the First Year Honors Program). I know Santa Cruz is really good for astrophysics, but I liked Irvine's community better. After all, I'm going to be spending the next 4 years living in the university. :)</p>
<p>However, is it true that it's best to do physics as an undergrad and do astrophysics later on? In that case, would Irvine be a good choice, in terms of undergrad research? I eventually want to go to grad school. </p>
<p>I know there are so many questions there, but it would be really helpful if at least one of those questions is answered. Thank you. :)</p>
<p>I didn’t apply there. Neither did I apply to Berkeley. I know those two are good, but being international, I wasn’t sure I would get in anywhere. (Highly pessimistic)</p>
<p>I don’t understand. You applied to UCLA but not SB, thinking your credentials are a bit lacking? Many students who apply to UCLA also apply to Berkeley. </p>
<p>Anyways, I think UCLA has the better physics department out of those four schools in your list. Next would be UCSD, then Irvine. </p>
<p>I also took the atmosphere at each university into consideration. I visited the ones I applied to, and SB. Was not able to tour Berkeley. I applied to the campuses where I thought I would be comfortable in. I know campus atmosphere is second to how good the physics department actually is, but it was important to me.</p>
<p>I used to work for a UCI physics professor. The program offers strong UG research opportunities and does have a few faculty working on cosmology problems. I doubt UG at Irvine would hamper your post graduate plans. </p>
<p>@whenhen Oh wow! Thank you very much for your response! It’s going to be so difficult to finally choose a university now. @BrownParent Thank you! I agree, it’s still too early to decide. I’ll have to wait.</p>
(Highly pessimistic)</p>
It helped.</p>