<p>Just remember, Harvard gets a C for academic quality on Studentsreview. So much for the "validity" of any self-selected group of reviewers. However, the comments on students review can provide fodder for further research --- just remember that YOUR opinion about what makes a great school may be very different from other people's.</p>
<p>"Just remember, Harvard gets a C for academic quality on Studentsreview. So much for the "validity" of any self-selected group of reviewers."</p>
<p>Why does this necessarily invalidate this group of reviews? It could very well be that to some students Harvard does not live up to expectations. If you look for data that only confirms "what you already know" or what you "believe" to be the truth, then, of course, contrictory evidence will lead you to one of two opposing positions: "This data is invalid because I don't agree with it," or "Maybe I'm not as smart as I think I am." Personally, I would like to see people choose the latter as an initial reaction and then move out from there. The world would be a whole lot better place.</p>
<p>I really got scared by that site, because it gave me SO much negative reviews for almost every site I attempted to research! But now I've grown to love CC much more for the honesty and accuracy of information I believe i recieve here.</p>
<p>Yeah, at lest you pretty much know what you're getting, right down the middle of the road.</p>
<p>Carolyn, most people that I know who went to Harvard, and I know a few, weren't that impressed with the school. I rarely, ever get glowing comments about any close ties with faculty. The current Harvard president admits that, " if you want a close student- faculty relationship, don't go to Harvard." "You go to Harvard because you have access to the best minds in the country." </p>
<p>Frankly, if I had a kid who could get into Harvard as an undergraduate, I would suggest that they go elsewhere. I think the comments found in students review are probably correct and may even be valid for a majority of students there.</p>
<p>StudentReviews can be useful, but remember, they are opinions, not the Bible... and some, imho, are manufactured but most seem genuine...</p>
<p>... Although they may mostly seem negative, I think SR can be very useful if you consider the cumulative effect -- what are most students/recent alumni saying. Look carefully at what the posters are saying. Are they consistent? You should probably tune out those SR rants (posts) where the student has a particular beef or ax to grind with a particular prof department (where, undoubtedly, they didnt get the grade they wanted they probably should file a grievance with the dept or school). Some feel SR are overly negative and manufactured, but I truly think most are honest and SR seems to update them periodically (Im not sure how often cause I check them only quarterly or every half year or so )</p>
<p>I tend to think -- and a HS counselor friend of mine agrees -- that you can get a pretty accurate feel of the 'mood' toward College X. Both she (and me) think SR can, in fact, be more useful than a lot of these college guides which are either some old guy/non-student of CollegeX (Fiske) or a bunch of Ivy students (the Yale guide) from SOMEBODY ELSE'S campus, who largely bases their 'reviews' on stereotypes... I've heard that some of these reviews don't even bother to complete their surveys...</p>
<p>... and if you'll notice, there are a couple of new hardcopy type reviews that take the StudentReview approach -- basically, they're simply reacting to the Net. Epinions.com is similar to SR, but it appears they don't update epinions like they do SR.</p>
<p>"The school I've looked at most closely, Swarthmore, has one obvious parody review (actually quite well written) that is filled with tip-offs like complaining about "intellectual Jews", huge lecture classes, and professors who are not accessible to or interested in students because they are consumed with their research. The kind of thing that a Daily Jolt contributor would write."</p>
<p>Absolutely! But these types dont rule the day ... hey, you guys are pretty sharp cookies -- otherwise, why would this thread even have been created? ... That's why I think you can sift through the crap and cull those reviews are real. Is there some guy or woman who's posting one way or the other to influence kids a particular way? No doubt. But again, you can see through that. This is why SR would be ONE of my avenues; certainly not the only one...</p>
<p>... I do think, though, CC is the best!</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Carolyn, most people that I know who went to Harvard, and I know a few, weren't that impressed with the school<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>My daughter is currently a sophomore at Harvard, and she is very impressed with the school. She loves it as do pretty much all her friends and roommates. Harvard is sure not perfect, and it it's not to everyone's taste, but it is still a great place to go to college. The notion that it rates a C in academic quality is nonsense - the griping of people on studentsreview with an axe to grind.</p>
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The notion that it rates a C in academic quality is nonsense - the griping of people on studentsreview with an axe to grind.
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<p>I totally agree. It's easy to spot credible reviews. They are nuanced and mention both the pluses and minuses of the college.</p>
<p>I suspect that many of the "student" reviews are written by high school students.</p>
<p>In addition to SR, try to filter through the themes from here for your schools:</p>
<p><a href="http://ratemyprofessor.com/index.jsp%5B/url%5D">http://ratemyprofessor.com/index.jsp</a></p>
<p>In the end, there is no better way to determine if a place is a "fit for you" than to visit in person as much as possible.</p>
<p>Maybe CC should implement a filter for "school parents" so that their glowing opinions and defense without (credible) reservations of the institutions they support with their money--and thus in which they have a vested interest--won't cloud the opinions of open minded youngsters who are just looking for a little piece of truth in the world. I, for one, could do without the knee-jerk defense mechanisms that are all too familiar on these boards.</p>
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<p>thus in which they have a vested interest</p>
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<p>Those with a vested interest in a school -- students, alumni, and parents -- are also the only people who actually know what they're talking about when it comes to the student experience. So discounting the opinions of those with a vested interest means relying instead on rumor, innuendo, and "my friend's cousin's boyfriend said..."</p>
<p>If you consider that more reliable, well, to each his own.</p>
<p>I did not mean to infer, nor did I in any way suggest, that students should not review their situations; I just have a problem with parents reviewing their children's situations. That rarely makes for very accurate copy. Student investment is quite different from parental investment, even when money is not the issue. Let's face it, parents have a whole lot more to justify than their children do; at least most of the parents I meet just can't help themselves from doing so. But my comments were really more tongue-in-cheek. Nevertheless, if the blade fits . . .</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I just have a problem with parents reviewing their children's situations. That rarely makes for very accurate copy. <<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>I'm sorry you have "a problem" with that. I only report what my daughter tells me about the school combined with what I observe myself. She says she is happy with the school. She acts happy about it. She is eager to return to school when she has been away. Most parents can tell when their kids are happy or not. If that sort of direct assessment is not accurate enough "copy" for you and you prefer the writings of those who have less experience with the place, well be my guest. All facts and opinions on CC are offered on a take it or leave it basis.</p>
<p>coureur
Senior Member</p>
<p>Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,215 </p>
<p>I defer to your greater experience, and . . . leisure.</p>
<p>I think that Studentreviews.com is worthwhile. I agree that a nimble mind can easily evaluate the negative comments made by some kids about their schools. As was said before, the site just offers opinion. If someone complains about excecssively large classes or required classes taught only in alternate years, why is that opinion invalid?</p>
<p>D spent an hour yesterday comparing three schools on Campusdirt.com and found it to be useful. It is affirming what her gut is telling her. We visited all three that she's comparing, and so far the information seems accurate (campus descriptions, athletics, surrounding city/town, restaurants, etc.) it's right on. I noticed several others on this thread recommended it. </p>
<p>They even have "typical Saturday night" activities, which for us parents (with our selective fading college memories), is dismaying! "Pre-game drinking in dorm, frat party, hooking up" seems to be the only common denominator! ;)</p>
<p>Epinions.com has lots of college reviews, they seem more articulate and genuine.</p>
<p>The reviews on Epinions have a genuine feel to them but they are so out-of-date, typically.</p>