How accurate are reviews on RateMyProfessors.com?

Every college student knows about RateMyProfessors.com, the website a majority of students use to see how peers rate professors teaching at their school. While RateMyProfessors.com has good intent, one of its many flaws is the polarization in the reviews. Only students with either lionizing praise or bitter criticism seem to author these posts.

 
The only time I ever wrote a review on the site was for a class I received an A in and loved the professor’s style of teaching. While this was my opinion of the class, there were certainly students who had an average experience and didn’t get much out of the class. The only difference between those students and me is that I wrote a review.

 
As a result, many prospective students will read only my opinion of the class and expect to have a similar experience. The same concept applies for a previous student who had an unusually bad experience.

 
I personally have never based my decision to take a class from RateMyProfessors.com reviews. I have, however, read a review  few days prior to starting a class and keep a few things I saw in the back of my mind.

 
Over-equipping myself with this information is useless. Sometimes the reviews have been spot on, but other times the reviews could have not been further from the truth.

 
Some classes simply more likeable than others. Some professors will be easier to get along with. The subject matter itself could be more compatible with you, or the teacher may have a teaching style that you’re comfortable with.

 
If a student puts his best effort into a class and dedicates enough time, he can succeed regardless of the professor’s rating on RateMyProfessors.com.
RateMyProfessors.com is a helpful tool that can give you a few ideas on what a professor is like, but hard work and dedication will go a lot further in getting you a good grade in any class.