The Student Room Group

Imperial vs. Manchester

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Original post by LutherVan
Except you have proof for the highlighted, you are sounding exactly like the people you described.

Do you have access to Manchester's offer database and have seen most of the applicants?


Really? I got into both though, proving that I am intelligent enough for both. All I am saying is that Manchester is only seen as "competitive" because the whole Brian Cox hype. Imperial has a better course and teaching, that is an undeniable FACT. The only thing which lets it down is the apparent 'poor social life'.
Reply 61
Anyone that applies to Manc for a A*AA when Cambridge and Imperial is offering the same is proof perfect that they are pretty dumb. enough said.
Original post by TooIntelligent
Well that is your definition of intelligence. I have heard that from many people during my interviews etc. I will say again: good grades does not = intelligence. Imperial students have good grades and are able to apply principles to unfamiliar situations and must have had a very good personal statement/reference to have been accepted. However, Manchester pretty much accepts anyone with good predicted grades and doesn't give a sh*t about the rest of their application. (Proof from very dumb people at my interview/school who still managed to get in because of predicted grades)


What is your defintion of intelligence? And i'm not saying Imperial students are stupid, far from it, I am just debating the hypothesis that somebody who gets a A*A*A is less intelligent that somebody with the same grades at Imperial. Moreover, maybe they had a good personal statement or reference?
Original post by Zenomorph
Anyone that applies to Manc for a A*AA when Cambridge and Imperial is offering the same is proof perfect that they are pretty dumb. enough said.


Well argued.:clap2::rolleyes:
Reply 64
Original post by the mezzil
I'm talking about pre-entry. Obviously they'll be taught a little differently at the Unis, but the content will still be roughly the same, so again I don't see how Imperial is any better than Mancheser, unless you go into post graduate research. And I don't see how streets and places have any reflection on intelligence, but go on...


LOL, are you on something ?

No 2 universities courses are the same you know that, in any case I put my last dollar on Imperial over Manc ANYDAY. How's that ?
Original post by TooIntelligent
Really? I got into both though, proving that I am intelligent enough for both. All I am saying is that Manchester is only seen as "competitive" because the whole Brian Cox hype. Imperial has a better course and teaching, that is an undeniable FACT. The only thing which lets it down is the apparent 'poor social life'.


And so have I, and yes Imperial has better teaching (usually, according to stats) but that doesn't reflect of the intelligence of the student. Also the course is different yes but that does not make a uni better, unless it's been dumbed down . For example somebody studying history and prefers 1000-1500AD history would turn down a uni for example at Warwick simply because the Manchester course is better simply because they cover this period, and Warwick does not. And again, I fail to see how "social life" reflects on the intellectual capabilty of a student.
Original post by Zenomorph
LOL, are you on something ?

No 2 universities courses are the same you know that, in any case I put my last dollar on Imperial over Manc ANYDAY. How's that ?


No i'm not on anything. And of course no unis are the same! but you can not say somebody who achives high grades and chooses Manchester over Imperial is any less intelligent that somebody at Imperial in the same circumstances.
Reply 67
Original post by the mezzil
No i'm not on anything. And of course no unis are the same! but you can not say somebody who achives high grades and chooses Manchester over Imperial is any less intelligent that somebody at Imperial in the same circumstances.


LOL.

OK, put it this way give me 1 good reason why I would apply for Manchester when Cambridge and Imperial are offering the same entries ?
Original post by the mezzil
What is your defintion of intelligence? And i'm not saying Imperial students are stupid, far from it, I am just debating the hypothesis that somebody who gets a A*A*A is less intelligent that somebody with the same grades at Imperial. Moreover, maybe they had a good personal statement or reference?


Someone who is a creative thinker and is able to apply knowledge to unfamiliar situation. Unfortunately, A-Levels and GCSE don't cover this and most people who practice/revise hard get good grades. I am not saying these hardworkers are stupid but them getting good grades does not really reflect my definition of "intelligence". I have read the personal statements of the people who applied in my school... very mediocre. I was told by all my interviewees how perfect was so I am saying mediocre because I am guessing mine includes everything they looked for.

Original post by the mezzil
And so have I, and yes Imperial has better teaching (usually, according to stats) but that doesn't reflect of the intelligence of the student. Also the course is different yes but that does not make a uni better, unless it's been dumbed down . For example somebody studying history and prefers 1000-1500AD history would turn down a uni for example at Warwick simply because the Manchester course is better simply because they cover this period, and Warwick does not. And again, I fail to see how "social life" reflects on the intellectual capabilty of a student.


By the time the students come out of uni they will be more intelligent due the the uni course at Imperial because of better teaching than at Manchester. And a lot of people would agree that the work load at Imperial is very demanding yet you don't hear this much from Manchester- so in a way the course at Manchester is 'easier' to cope with. Lets just say competition to get into Imperial is of a much higher quality, both in terms of statement/reference and AS/predicted grades.
Original post by Zenomorph
LOL.

OK, put it this way give me 1 good reason why I would apply for Manchester when Cambridge and Imperial are offering the same entries ?


What do you mean?
Reply 70
Original post by Zenomorph
Anyone that applies to Manc for a A*AA when Cambridge and Imperial is offering the same is proof perfect that they are pretty dumb. enough said.


So applying to Manchester that requests A*AA is dumb?

What if the person applies to Manchester but also Cambridge and Imperial and 2 other unis, are they still dumb?:rolleyes:

They are dumb for trying their luck with 3 top departments where 2 might reject them?
Reply 71
Original post by KatyJF
I am planning to study Biology (with Industrial/Professional Experience) at University and have offers from both Imperial College London and Manchester. I am finding it difficult to decide which one to firm... does anybody have any advice or knowledge regarding these universities?
Many Thanks! :smile:


I was in a very similar situation last year when I had to pick between Imperial and Manchester for my insurance and I ended up picking Manchester.

At the time, what swayed it for me was the social life, I heard that at Imperial the social life tended to start off well but reduce as the year went on. I also thought it would be quite intense going to an only science university, I wanted to have a wider education and my friends and I always discuss literature and philosophy etc. But then again, the location could not be more perfect, I mean London is one of the most exciting cities in the world (to me anyway, coming from Northern Ireland lol) so you could definitely find lots of non science friends if you tried. But it depends if you count arts students as pros, sometimes I get frustrated because it feels like they have less work than me which isn't great for work ethic when all your friends are socialising except you. Also, Manchester were really nice and kept in contact a lot whereas Imperial contacted me once after my application and then again with the offer so I felt Manchester put more effort into it and kind of wanted me more.

I find it really useful to actually make a physical list of pros and cons, this was my personal one, obviously yours might be different but I'm just giving you an example.

Manchester Pros:
Very social
Cheaper
Not solely science

Manchester Cons:
Rains a lot
Less good location

Imperial Pros:
Great Location
Good world reputation
Arguably better accomodation

Imperial Cons:
More expensive
Social life less good

Good luck with your decision! :smile:
Reply 72
Original post by the mezzil
What do you mean?


What ? feigning ignorance ? To be expected I guess from a Manchester student. LOL
Reply 73
Original post by LutherVan
So applying to Manchester that requests A*AA is dumb?

What if the person applies to Manchester but also Cambridge and Imperial and 2 other unis, are they still dumb?:rolleyes:

They are dumb for trying their luck with 3 top departments where 2 might reject them?


OK, but semantabation won't be able to hide your embarrassment because the question can be easily rephrased:

give me 1 good reason why I would apply for Manchester instead of Cambridge and Imperial are offering the same entries ?
Original post by TooIntelligent
Someone who is a creative thinker and is able to apply knowledge to unfamiliar situation. Unfortunately, A-Levels and GCSE don't cover this and most people who practice/revise hard get good grades.Agreed I am not saying these hardworkers are stupid but them getting good grades does not really reflect my definition of "intelligence". I have read the personal statements of the people who applied in my school... very mediocre.wouldn't know but i'll accept it for the sake of debate I was told by all my interviewees how perfect was so I am saying mediocre because I am guessing mine includes everything they looked for.You do realise they will say that to a lot of people don't you?



By the time the students come out of uni they will be more intelligent due the the uni course at Imperial because of better teaching than at Manchester.Again, depends on the course, and also Lecturers at Manchester aren't bad teachers so I don't really know where this came from. Also you have no way of backing up this point, and there is any real way of measuring intelligence, and I find it quite a silly generalisation so I disagree And a lot of people would agree that the work load at Imperial is very demanding yet you don't hear this much from ManchesterWell I've heard it, from both Unis, so it must be your social circle- so in a way the course at Manchester is 'easier' to cope with. Lets just say competition to get into Imperial is of a much higher quality, both in terms of statement/reference and AS/predicted grades.For which course exactly? If you were saying something such as Geology, where Manchester is ABB, and Imperial is AAA then yes, but if it is something such as Physics, where Manchester is A*A*A and Imperial is pretty much the same, then no.


see my point?
Reply 75
Oh yes, and where does this top 3 BS come from ? Who says ? you ? I'm sorry if I feel a bit skeptical if it comes from a Manc. student.

How about we look at the CUG :

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Physics%20%26%20Astronomy

Top 10 errr no, How about top 15 still no. Oh ok 16 / 48 , don't sound like no Imperial to me.
Reply 76
Original post by the mezzil
see my point?


What point ? who says Manc = Imperial .... you ?

Why not we follow a real ranking ?

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Physics%20%26%20Astronomy

Top 3 my .....
Original post by Zenomorph
What ? feigning ignorance ? To be expected I guess from a Manchester student. LOL


No, it was a bit of a stupid question? People apply to Unis for a variety of reasons. Maybe they prefer Manchester and felt more comfortable there than in Oxford or something, I don't know. Me personally it was financial, I didn't like the fact you could not really have a part time job at the Oxbridge + the Mancheser Bursary would of given me more money than anything I would of got from Oxbridge.
Original post by Zenomorph
What point ? who says Manc = Imperial .... you ?

Why not we follow a real ranking ?

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Physics%20%26%20Astronomy

Top 3 my .....


Top 3 what?:confused:
Reply 79
Original post by the mezzil
No, it was a bit of a stupid question? People apply to Unis for a variety of reasons. Maybe they prefer Manchester and felt more comfortable there than in Oxford or something, I don't know. Me personally it was financial, I didn't like the fact you could not really have a part time job at the Oxbridge + the Mancheser Bursary would of given me more money than anything I would of got from Oxbridge.


OK, but semantabation won't be able to hide your embarrassment because the question can be easily rephrased:

give me 1 good reason why I would apply for Manchester instead of Cambridge and Imperial are offering the same entries ?

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