Good responses. To be clear: UMass astronomy and physics are not ranked higher than Stony Brook; it’s the opposite. And Stony Brook physics is ranked much higher than UMass. This should not be underestimated, because all of astronomy will have at least some basis in physics. Also take note of at least basic math sequences for astronomy: most serious astronomy requires calculation. S B in physics and math are both ranked in the 20’s – a very impressive showing considering the competition (just look at the other schools in that range for those departments, and you’ll get a prelude of where you could end up for grad school). UMass ranked 50-60 for physics and math, which basically indicates it’s a serious institution, but not really in the top ranks for graduate and hiring.
The honors program at either institution makes a difference in education in general – not necessarily specifically, save for usually requiring a thesis / research, which you can do without honors if you take the steps yourself. In other words, you are certainly not precluded from doing advanced work, having a mentor, thesis, research, internship etc. in the natural sciences at S B or other institutions – without honors – *if the student makes the effort to develop relationships with faculty, excels in her classes, etc.
My experience with S B natural sciences is that if you are a good student, it is the department, not the honors program, that will support you. You will be recognized and cultivated in their excellent departments if you make the effort to excel yourself. The professors there are human beings, and they recognize serious undergrads and will generally try to help them if they are considering graduate placement. Science departments at S B will have picnics, events, demos, research opportunities that invite undergrads, grads and faculty to get together, mingle, talk, have fun, and support each other.
UMass may have some of these, but in my estimation (and hey, MYOS and I finally agree!), honors would be more useful at UMass because it is a larger, potentially less collegial atmosphere. Even UMass should have departmental events; it’s a major research institution. I just don’t think individual natural sciences will feel as integrated, or perhaps as talented, as at S B (and here I’m referring more to peer students, not to faculty – all faculty will have PhD’s, and most performing research).
This is not to dismiss S B’s other perks, such as their honors programs, either. Many of the honors activities at both institutions will foster closer relationships, and enrich the academic experience. Yet they are not necessarily going to increase the potential of a specific department – that will vary.
If you scored a 2100+ on the SAT, but maybe your grades weren’t as high as they could have been, usually indicates that you have some good, raw intelligence, and maybe you didn’t apply yourself in your classes quite as much as you could have. In this case, you probably want the most challenging program available, and an opportunity to apply yourslef in college.
I like the WISE idea for her too, MYOS. I’m going out on a limb here writing all of this, because I believe OP is committed to her undergrad-grad track, and coming from abroad. Being focused like this at a young age deserves taking advantage of the resources available in this country, and I’ll stand firm with S B and possible UW-Seattle, though I still kind of prefer S B due to cost and size issues.