• Best of luck to the class of 2024 for their HSC exams. You got this!
    Let us know your thoughts on the HSC exams here
  • YOU can help the next generation of students in the community!
    Share your trial papers and notes on our Notes & Resources page
MedVision ad

What is everything that one should consider when comparing universities? (1 Viewer)

Crobat

#tyrannosaurusREKT
Joined
May 1, 2011
Messages
1,151
Gender
Male
HSC
2012
Lol i think aiesic would give crobat a fright. Dat voluntarism :haha:
Nah we share offices with AISEC

They're an alright bunch of people, can't say I'm into forcing developing nations into dependency on the west but what are you gonna do, short term benefits are all that people look at until it officially becomes long term and you have the benefit of hindsight
 

OzKo

Retired
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Messages
9,892
Gender
Male
HSC
2009
Uni Grad
2013
From what I've been told, this is everything I should consider when comparing universities:
- ATAR cutoffs
- World rankings
- Reputation of faculty/course
- Content of the course and unique units they might have
- Teaching staff
- Facilities
- Student housing
- Scholarships
- Social life
- Atmosphere of the university
- Graduation rate
- Employment rate

Is there anything else I should be considering? I don't want to miss anything! :)
World rankings aren't a good measure if you are considering an undergraduate degree. The rankings use metrics which are heavily weighted towards research output and funding, which doesn't affect undergraduates, nor the quality of teaching.

Using the employment rate can be difficult too. These rates are collated annually through a survey which is sent out to recent graduates. The question does not specify whether you are employed in a role which relates to your qualifications. For example, if you get a job working at a fast food joint after you graduate, this is counted as employment. If you want to use this rate, try to find the total picture. Some universities are more geared towards students who want to continue their studies into post grad, and they won't be counted as employed.
 

Ruros

New Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2015
Messages
12
Gender
Male
HSC
2015
World rankings aren't a good measure if you are considering an undergraduate degree. The rankings use metrics which are heavily weighted towards research output and funding, which doesn't affect undergraduates, nor the quality of teaching.

Using the employment rate can be difficult too. These rates are collated annually through a survey which is sent out to recent graduates. The question does not specify whether you are employed in a role which relates to your qualifications. For example, if you get a job working at a fast food joint after you graduate, this is counted as employment. If you want to use this rate, try to find the total picture. Some universities are more geared towards students who want to continue their studies into post grad, and they won't be counted as employed.
Excellent points, what do you think I should be considering then? :)
 

OzKo

Retired
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Messages
9,892
Gender
Male
HSC
2009
Uni Grad
2013
Excellent points, what do you think I should be considering then? :)
Pretty much everything else you included on that list looks great.
 

enoilgam

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Feb 11, 2011
Messages
11,904
Location
Mare Crisium
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2010
From what I've been told, this is everything I should consider when comparing universities:
- ATAR cutoffs
- World rankings
- Reputation of faculty/course
- Content of the course and unique units they might have
- Teaching staff
- Facilities
- Student housing
- Scholarships
- Social life
- Atmosphere of the university
- Graduation rate
- Employment rate

Is there anything else I should be considering? I don't want to miss anything! :)
I'd focus on the following:

- Course quality and content
- Links to Industry
- Teaching staff
- Facilities
- Student housing
- Scholarships
- Social life
- Atmosphere of the university
- Graduation rate

I wouldnt really bother with the rest. "Uni reputation" only matters for careers like Law, IB and MBB - otherwise, it isnt really much of a factor. Likewise, employment rate isnt very reliable for the reasons OzKo pointed out.
 

Ruros

New Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2015
Messages
12
Gender
Male
HSC
2015
In regards to the course quality and content, what questions should I be asking?
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top