The crowdsourced professor review site that students used for course selection and professors loved to hate.
Student Revenge Platform
RateMyProfessors.com launched May 1999, letting students anonymously review professors. The site rated professors on “Overall Quality,” “Level of Difficulty,” and initially “Hotness” (removed 2018). Students shared insights on grading harshness, teaching effectiveness, and whether to avoid particular professors. By 2010, the site had 10+ million ratings.
Course Selection Tool
Students consulted RMP religiously during course registration. A 5.0-rated professor meant easy A or great teaching. A 1.5 rating was a warning. The site influenced enrollment—professors with poor ratings saw smaller classes. Some universities tried blocking access on campus, but students used phones. RMP became essential student infrastructure.
Validity and Bias Concerns
Studies showed RMP ratings correlated with grade inflation and attractiveness rather than learning. Angry students over-represented in reviews. Female and minority professors faced harsher, more personal criticism. Professors called it popularity contest, not teaching evaluation. But by 2023, despite flaws, students still relied on RMP for course selection.
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