Lol, I read the whole thread. Fairly interesting views from both ends of the pitch. I'll mention that I'm at UWS and I like it here. I received offer from Macquarie and UWS but I accepted UWS as I live only 5 minutes away from it, whereas I live 2.5 hours from Macquarie. Few things I'd like to say:
1. Whoever that bases their opinion of UWS simply because of a facebook page, that's actually created by UWS students FOR UWS students to poke fun at each other and share jokes, is a fucking retard. 90% of the shit people post there are pure bs or are exaggerated (I'm guilty of this). No one asked non-UWS students to read anything and think it's actually real.
2. Yes, there are students that take advantage of the low ATAR 'boosts', and good on them. At least they're getting off their arses and doing something valuable with their life to build towards a better career and future. I actually applaud UWS for this. They're providing EVERYONE an opportunity to earn themselves valuable qualifications that will assist them to avoid a shitty life. What are the 'top' unis doing on this matter? They take in all the 'bright' students, but what about the rest? What about the AVERAGE ? Who would take them in? Are everyone that get below <(80-90) ATAR supposed to just throw away their hopes of education because they could not meet the cut-off for some prestigious university?
Heck, based on some of the UNSW/USYD fanboy's logic, we should actually scrap the uni-cut off system and just set a base mark of 85+ to get into any university. That way, the rough 15%(or whatever) of the talented students can focus on their education and the other 85% who got <85 ATAR can get filtered away as they're nothing but illiterate dumbasses, right? Students who get 50 ATAR or whatever, they still have the opportunity to mend their ways and actually focus for a degree at university. UWS provide this opportunity to them! Why are they so 'shit' for doing this? It's not as if UWS favours these types of students and are more lenient towards them in terms of marking. UWS provides what many others neglect.
3. Regarding the fulli tabuli habibs that get into UWS, I've seen from personal experience what these specimens are like. They do jack shit at uni, disturb others, not attend tutorials or lectures, involve themselves in crude behaviour, etc etc. However, I'll also add that all of them get kicked from uni after the 1st semester as they simply do not pass any unit. I personally asked one of them as to why he wasn't at uni anymore, he replied, "its fucken bs bro, this uni is racist! its cauz im leb and oh i failed everything hahahha!". UWS simply does not keep these kind of people, they just GIVE them the opportunity to redeem themselves. If they're not prepared to focus and study for a degree, then they get kicked. It's as simple as that.
Really was eye-opening to see why UWS has a low reputation around BOS and in the NSW(Sydney) education system!