Northeastern Students Rely on Rate My Professors Amid Concerns Over Biased Reviews

Northeastern University students utilize the website Rate My Professors to evaluate faculty members on a five-point scale. This tool allows students to assign scores for difficulty and teaching quality. Prospective students read these reviews to determine which instructor fits their academic needs. The platform serves as a primary resource for building a weekly schedule.

Jade Wiggins, a second-year major in journalism and political science, argues that the site requires careful interpretation. She notes that students often post ratings out of frustration rather than to provide a balanced assessment. When students have a positive experience, they typically express their appreciation through direct email or in-person interactions. This direct communication allows them to share specific praise with the professor.

Conversely, students with negative experiences often prefer the anonymity of an online review. Wiggins describes this dynamic as a form of therapy where disappointed students vent their feelings. The platform then functions less as an informational tool and more as a space for emotional release. This shift in purpose can distort the overall perception of a professor's teaching style.

Research and student experience indicate that knowledge and approachability are the two most valued traits in a faculty member. Students desire instructors who understand the material and can explain it clearly. They also value easy access, such as responsive emails or available office hours. Despite possessing these qualities, many professors receive low ratings due to unrelated student grievances.

Wiggins has encountered reviews that offer little detail, such as the phrase "Bad. Just bad." These entries provide minimal guidance for other students. A low score might reflect a reviewer's dissatisfaction with a grade rather than the instructor's capability. The same professor could be knowledgeable and friendly to different students. A single rating represents one individual's specific experience rather than a universal standard.

Students still seek information to distinguish between different course sections. They look for details on homework loads and instructor availability. However, Wiggins advises readers to separate the reviewer's emotions from the professor's performance. A class may feel overwhelming because the material is advanced or because a student did not complete the required work. Future students should consider that their own experience may differ from the reviewer's.

Northeastern University also employs an internal survey system called TRACE. At the end of each semester, students fill out anonymous forms to provide feedback. These surveys use a similar five-point scale but focus on student reflection and course structure. The data helps instructors adjust their teaching methods and course materials. Students can access past TRACE evaluations through the university's Student Hub.

While TRACE is anonymous, professors read the responses directly. This knowledge often leads students to use more measured language than they might on public websites. The lack of a public filter on Rate My Professors allows for more blunt commentary. Wiggins suggests that students use both tools but weigh the public reviews with caution. The choice of a professor should rest on more than a single person's frustration.