Students look to Web site for choosing classes
Many students choose classes based on professors' ratings on a popular Web site
Bailey McBride
Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: News
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The site creates listings of professors by campus and then by department, and professors are rated by reviewers, usually students, in four categories: easiness, helpfulness, clarity and rater interest, on a scale from one to five.
"I use it but have never written on it," said Bryce Tritt, a junior business major. "I look up all of the available teachers for each class I need and then check their ratings and try to take the teacher that is easiest or hottest, assuming she's a girl."
Students are able to leave commentary on individual classes and a "chili pepper" if they think the professor is worthy of a "hot" rating.
The top of each professor's page then lists the averages of all of their ratings, along with information about their department and sometimes a picture.
David Barrett, a graduate assistant in the philosophy department, said he doesn't value the things that are written on the Web site, "but I'll look for vanity's sake."
Because of the trend of professors and teaching assistants reading their own ratings, Ratemyprofessors.com added an option where professors may enter a blog-like rebuttal defending themselves on their listing.
"I haven't used the site, but I know what it is," said Rosalyn Taylor, a sophomore marketing major. "I don't check it - I guess I should."
Many other students also said they have never used the site in their class selection.
"I've never used it, but I hear that it works," said Tyler Mills, a junior business major.
However, some UA students refuse to plan their schedules without consulting the site first.
"I looked at it before I chose my classes, but I think tons of people rely too much on it," said Brittany Hayes, a freshman political science major. "Some of the professors are so different from their profiles. And the chili peppers are kind of weird."
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