BBA/Econ at Macquarie vs Econ at USYD (1 Viewer)

[ribbert]

Hey all
Im in Yr12 about to do the HSC and put my preferences in for Uni. However, I am not really sure what course I should aim to do and would like any help/advice I can get. At the moment I am tossing up the idea doing the combined degree of BA and eco at Macquarie or just economics at Syd.
My thinking is that the combined degree will hopefully give me more options and job prospects at the end of it, but I have been told that a degree at Syd Uni is more reputable than at the other Uni's.
Has any one got any thoughts on it?
They would be muchly appreciated.

 

[glitterfairy]

Without referring to any universities in particular, anyone that tells you that "A degree from X is more reputable from any other university full stop" is a total liar. If it were that way, surely everyone would be at X university because only X university graduates got jobs etc etc.

Each university has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Bearing in mind that I'm not an eco student, I'd say that at this point the ba/eco degree sounds better because it's got a far more tangible benefit (ie more options as opposed to "people tell me this degree is more reputable..."). Talk to usyd and mq students about their degrees - look at the program outlines for each and what sort of subjects you'd be doing, how it's structured etc. You'll probably have a much better grasp of what you want to do after that.

 

[redruM]

I think that it might be better to do Economics at USyd. I think they tend to be good at the theoretical commerce/business areas.

Look at the majors/subjects offered. Look at staff. Look at postgrad work. I just have a feeling based on those, USyd has a better reputation for a degree. If that matters in the end (in terms of job prospects), except knowing that you are in the best place for your education, I don't know...

(Completely uninformed post, but I may be right)

 

[Tabris]

What area of ECON?

I wanna end up in an IB? end up in the RBA? Cost-Benefit Analyst? Policy maker? Econometrician? Marketing? Govt Policy?

Last i checked in good uni guides, Macq salaries are almost on par with USYD, USYD has alot more postgraduates than Macq.... but in terms of teaching quality, I have heard some rumors about about USYD, but Macq offers some excellent lecturers (and semi-decent tutors).

Excellent lecturers that taught my subjects so far:

Allan Mcharg
Glen Jones
Trev Whitehead
Sean Turnell
Joe Macri
Ed Franks


When your in que for an interview, there are 10 people in line 4 from USYD, 3 from Macq and 3 from UNSW. U, from Macq, have a D average, and others are worse off than you, ceteris paribus (yes we economists do make some really simple assumptions) you will get the job. Same goes for the other way around.

Reputation at this level does not mean a thing if u cannot take advantage of it with excellent academic performance.

In terms of difficulty, u might hear how hard econ is, but in truth, people fail econ because it doesnt suit them, first year econ is compulsery for all marketing, accounting, finance, bba and acst students. So expect alot of people who are dissatisfied with it because it aint their forte.

ECON is demanding, no doubts about that, and for people who major in econ, it can still seems like HSC twice a year with 3 times the work. But it can be enjoyable, after 1st year, u really can see how everything falls into place and you will starting thinking and acting in terms of utility maximisation and opportunity cost.

http://www.handbook.mq.edu.au/unitcodeprefix.php?edition=2006&ulevel=ug&unitCodePrefix=ECON

as for BBA, Clairegirl and SKittled are 3rd year students who can help. I only do the ECON part.

 

[Supra]

McHarg rocks my sox...so does trevvy (when i do go )

I want to transfer to UNSW and i dont really know why...I like the place, and i guess ill be more closer to my girl (which isnt a good reason to change unis) since she lives in woop-woop near the city .

I dont know how far reputation takes you. I dont know if they care. All they want is for you to prove you have a balanced lifestyle of social, work and study, and be reasonably successful at each. A D average student with no life versus a credit student with a balanced life of extra curricular bullshit is a tougher choice to make than u think.

I suggest the following website to facilitate further "academic procrastination":
http://www.kpmg.com.au/default.aspx?tabid=841

scroll over the "your career choices" to maximise your fun.

The best advice I could give you: try not to fail, study hard and go to lectures, no matter which uni you go to. Oh btw, if you ask this same question at usyd/nsw forums, they all have this mindset of reputation and some sort of superiority complex.

 

[Tabris]

Yes, extra curricular activities are important, good work experience and good marks does make a big difference.

But unfortunately econ opportunities are more narrow than accg in the early years. I see 1st year people walking around in suits and work for EY or KPMG or DTT but I dont see ppl working for RBA...

Alot of the opportunities will occur during the 3rd year and honours where the RBA does take in students.....but its very competitive...


From the RBA site:



What we look for and the Application Process

Graduate Development Program
The RBA is a world-class organisation seeking only the best graduates - about 30 each year. To be successful, you must expect to have completed a superior honours or post-graduate degree by the end of the year you apply.

We are interested in a wide range of study backgrounds, including double degrees. Most areas of the Bank require a solid background in economics, some areas also look for majors in commerce and finance. Studies in accounting, law and science are an advantage in some areas too.

Cadetship Award
To apply for vacation work under our Cadetship Award, you must currently be in your third year of study (or equivalent if undertaking a double degree) majoring in economics or finance and intending to complete honours in 2007. We will also consider applications from students undertaking a double degree, also majoring in economics or finance who will not complete their studies at honours level until 2008.

As a guide, you'll need an academic rating of distinction average across the relevant majors in your degree to be considered for either opportunity. Your degree must be from an Australian university or recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) as an equivalent qualification. Your application must provide detailed academic results. We will not process your application in their absence.

The ability to work hard and achieve results is viewed highly. So too are your technical skills, inter-personal qualities, the confidence to communicate the quality of your thinking, plus your ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.

Most importantly of all, however, you will need to have a demonstrable and genuine interest in the work performed by the RBA.

Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia at the time of making their application.

Please note the RBA only accepts applications via the online application process.

Graduate Applications close 17 April 2006. Cadetship applications close 7 August 2006.


In short:


D AVERAGE

which isnt hard in big first and 2nd year units, but as units become more specialised, it does become harder when theres no scaling for a 20 class unit, e.g. ECON359.

 

[gnrlies]

I do BBA Bec

I think the advice someone said in an earlier post is very usefull...

What is it that you want to do with your economics degree?

Broadly speaking there are three main areas you can go with economics.

You can take a policy approach, and become interested in economic policy, and all things political...

You can take a very financial approach, and work for the rba (honours required) or in the private sector as a financial economist / analyst

Or, you can do down the business path and be a business development manager, or something like that.

.........................................................

So the question goes - how do you know where you would like to head?

If you like economics at school because you are interested in the policies, microeconomic reform etc etc, then you are a policy buff. BBA Bec is probably not the best thing to do. BBA is very business orientated. Its a bachelor of arts for business students. So you do some marketing, some management, some accounting, some finance etc. You only ever touch policy related issues in the economics side of the degree. For those interested in policy, combining an economics degree with something political is good. So perhaps liberal studies, or even law if you get the marks.

If you do 3 or 4 unit maths, and have a good grasp of numbers, and think that finance might interest you, then you are a finance buff. You probably dont want to do BBA because more than half the subjects are full of pseudo science based psychology shit that just wont stimulate you in an analytical sense. If you want to do a double degree, then you want to do something like economics and applied finance or something.

And finally if you dont necessarily want to become a full on economist, but you are one of those students that wants to go into "business" without really knowing what it is they want to do in business - then the BBA Bec is for you. You do every single discipline of business in your BBA degree, so you have a good understanding of everything in business. Very important for those who want to be managers. On the other hand, having an economics degree provides more integrity to your business degree as you also have specialist knowledge.

.............................

Whilst you havent probably had enough time to know which one suits you, as u dont know what uni economics is like - dont worry. You can change degrees. Macquarie is a good uni. Dont buy into this whole concept of Sydney being better and more prestigious. All of the "trendies" that engulf that campus would have you believe it is, but there is nothing that an employer will look at, to prefer a sydney student from an employment perspective. My advice is this. If macquarie university is convinient for you (as it is for me - a 20 min drive to uni and back is priceless considering the hassle that everyone else I know has to do) then come to Mac.

The only way I would specifically recommend Sydney, is if you are interested in policy, and possibly with the intention of doing something political as they offer a better array of courses and subjects aimed towards political science etc.

 

[glitterfairy]

^ spirit-repped!

I didn't do business in the HSC year (or any year, really) but I'm sure if I did, that breakdown - "how do you know where you would like to head?" would have been greatly helpful