so a few days ago, i mentioned to my father as to how i would look into UTS' global studies course as i'd like to keep all options open and would rather not limit myself to usyd and usyd alone. my current first preference is international & global @ usyd, to the delight of my father. but with an atar of 95.70, i understand that there may be a slight possibility of me not making into the course if many others with higher atars have it as their first choice too (2008 cut-off: 94.45). furthermore, the content of global studies @ UTS appears to be broader and seems suit my interests quite a lot more than usyd's, and i've heard that UTS is a lot more vocational which i thought would please my father. however, the expression of interest over a UTS course generated a considerable sense of peevishness within my father, hence - as whenever two stubborn heads clash - a massive debate was conceived over lunch up to the point whereby the bill was entirely forgotten (dad went back to pay the next day).
according to my father, reputation is everything. it determines the strength of the faculty and nature of the student body. he claims that in his experience, he could and can tell the difference between someone who graduated from a uni such a UTS and a usyd graduate (with the usyd graduate being the *~better~* one, of course). in the workforce, as he said, when two similar degrees from different unis are laid out to the employer, the one from the more reputable university automatically outweighs the other. thus, in his words, should i go to a uni such as UTS, my job prospects would be diminished in comparison to those with usyd or unsw qualifications. he added that for an arts/humanities degree, the technological foundations of univeristy of technology sydney would not do me much good. conclusively, my father exclaimed that he would rather i do a generic BA at usyd rather than a specific degree at UTS.
my father's sentiments are very much contradictory to what i've heard from teachers, friends and other adults. i've been told that the degree is what really matters albeit the university; employers do not look too much into the university you graduated from; a newcastle graduate is currently a successful doctor; a usyd law graduate is fierecely competing with graduates from other univeristies for a job at the law firm; the graduate's capability is the most important factor.
i understand that my father is merely being a parent concerned for his child's future, and that a graduate's capability could very well be largely shaped by the faculty.
good people of BOS, what do you reckon? superior rep = stronger faculty and student body? in the arts/humanities faculty and international/global studies course, what is the longstanding difference between usyd and UTS? this uni thing has been really quite frustrating for me; i'm even starting to question my choice of course/career direction.
all sensible response would be greatly appreciated. thank you in advance!
(please pardon the length, i know it's a total tl;dr post so thank you very much if you've bothered to read it all)
