Original post by Wired_1800Okay, let me start with this. Except a person went to Oxford or Cambridge, they should keep their mouth shut about how "grand" their University is. People will try to bash your university, in order to raise their rubbish university.
I am glad that you had a good experience of the University. The main problem is that you want others to love your University (the way you probably do).
Manchester is not selective because it is a VERY LARGE University. There are more than 37,000 students pursuing courses at the University. To fill the spaces, the University needs to be semi-selective (i.e. selective for some courses and not selective for others). If not, there will be courses, where there are only 2 students.
If you doubt me, look at the entry requirements for all courses at Manchester, you will see some courses requiring high A Level grades and others requiring average grades.
Secondly, to be selective, Manchester will be competing with Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL etc. for students. As you have said, Manchester's public profile is not that high to attract students vying for places at UCL or Cambridge. They could, but in the end, university reputation often takes precedence.
For example, Engineering at Imperial and Cambridge are about the same level of quality, but many students may choose Cambridge over Imperial based on overall University reputation.
SOAS being popular in your home country has nothing to do with Manchester being a really good university. It is like arguing that because Bristol is more popular than Imperial in Cambodia means that Imperial is not a really good University.
I agree that Manchester is viewed as the "working class" University, which is based on its location. Someone told my friend that Manchester was the poor man's Cambridge, which was unfair to the students at Manchester.
Also not all studying that went to Harrow end up at Oxbridge or other top universities, even at Manchester. So studying at Harrow may not necessarily be a determinant for future success.
It is sad that people's subjective opinion has harmed your view of your University. Hopefully, things get better.
Don't regret choosing Manchester. Many Universities gain their reputation because of the alumni network. So you can do more about Manchester, by dispelling the myths and trying to change people's opinions.
You should also be weary about negative reviews about Manchester on TSR. Many TSRians are Oxbridge and London Universities (UCL, Imperial, LSE) believers and Manchester just does not fit the mould.
I am not even affiliated to Manchester and I am trying to change your opinion of your OWN university.
Good luck