Easy professor with harsh curve vs. hard professor with lenient curve?

<p>Hi everyone!</p>

<p>Next quarter's course catalog just came out for my school, so I'm already starting to pick my upcoming classes. For the Chem series, I have a choice between a really tough professor (according to ratemyprofessors, at least) and an easier one. Because the class is graded on a curve, at least a third of the class will get C's or below, if not more, and I'm hoping to do well in the class. </p>

<p>I already know the material (and actually have AP credit for it) and was wondering if it would be better to go with the hard professor because my classmates would probably do worse on the exams, lowering the curve. Or am I just making things unnecessarily hard on myself? </p>

<p>Thanks in advance for your input! </p>

<p>I’d say to go with whichever class you think you’ll learn the most in. If you already know the material, then the harder prof might be able to challenge you more. Also, if you take an easier prof, you might fall into the “oh, I don’t NEED to study” mentality and might fall behind.</p>

<p>It’s ultimately up to you, but if it were me, I’d probably choose the harder prof. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>First of all, RMP gives unreliable information. Only a subsample of the professor’s students will be motivated enough to go onto RMP, and what they see as “tough” might not be what you view as “tough.” You also can’t assume that the hard professor will have an easier curve in the class, because that class could have all of the nerds because it’s at a less convenient time or another reason.</p>

<p>I think you are overthinking things. Pick the section that works best for your schedule, especially if you already know the material.</p>