jkerriga

Probably zero attention, rankings can fluctuate year to year. This website www.phds.org is probably a better gauge than USNews, because it gives a range of possible rankings for any given universities program.

I've visited UNC (for Physics Grad) and the area was very nice, and on the stipends I've received from the department it should be very easy to live in the area. What I've heard about UCI however is that it can be very hard to live in the Irvine area, due to it being in Orange County. I would also try to get in touch with potential advisors at both places, the worst they can say is no, and if that's the case I think you may have just found out where you would be more suited to go.

I think a good approximation could be made for first round offers by looking at past gradcafe acceptance dates. But for a Jan 15th deadline I would easily say you won't see anything until February at the earliest.