tradster

For biophysics, without a doubt, UIUC >> UCLA
For the weather, UCLA >> UIUC

The number of Nobel laureates doesn't have anything to do with the quality of the graduate program. However UIUC is still way better than UCLA in terms of biophysics because of the high concentration of good biophysics groups there. I just simply can't name any hotshot groups in biophysics at UCLA. BTW if you look at CNSI's webpage... it doesn't seem like they have much to do with biophysics.

Also don't get deluded by the extra money from UCLA... 30K in Urbana is probably worth about the same with 42K in LA.

My advice is this, go to whichever school you can work for the better adviser. I'm a medicinal chemist for a major pharmaceutical company and we recently just hired a few new PhD chemists. I can tell you that for industry jobs the name of the school doesn't matter at all, it's all about who you worked for. If you went to Harvard but your adviser was some no name then good luck getting a job.

If I were you I'd go to Illinois. We regularly have Scott Denmark out as a consultant, it's a really strong program and his graduates get a lot of offers. Not so sure about M Christina White. Ultimately it's your choice, but who's good to work for at Yale? I can't think of anyone I work with or know that did their PhD there. I'm sure there's some quality groups, but that's just an industry prospective. Good luck on your decision!

Also, unless your parents are synthetic organic chemists and know what it's all about don't let them make your decision for you.