<p>In case you haven’t heard of it, this is a website where students can put reviews of their experiences at different colleges. I was just wondering if I should really listen to these or not… Many schools get good AND bad reviews, but some are more consistent. For example, on this website, many people from Miami University (ohio) say that it is very preppy and you will feel left out if you are not rich and white… but it would be a good choice for me since it would be in state. Another school has many reviews that said that there is nothing to do in its location because it is such a small town. Do you listen to these reviews? Also, I read these because I don’t want to pay the app fee if it’s not even worth applying or if it consistantly gets bad reviews…</p>
<p>Ok, the first thing to consider is who actually goes to these review sites. Often people who are mad about their education. Of course you will have people who love their schools but consider this…at the grocery store are you more likely to retell your story if the cashier cusses you out, or would you be more likely to tell your story if the cashier was very nice. For most people, they are more likely to share very negative happenings. This causes (on many sites) a disproportionate number of disgruntled students. </p>
<p>Next, consider what you are reading. Are you reading a giant survey based on a random sample of students? No, you’re reading some person’s anecdote. Also, be very cautious of nonspecific anecdotes. Some people just aren’t cut out for the college they chose, whether it be academic capability, financial capability, or social fit, so they totally derail colleges. Everyone has different experiences. </p>
<p>Also take note of contradicting reviews. These are less likely to be accurate. </p>
<p>If there is a noticeable trend of people saying something (ie the food sucks), then yah the food might suck. But just be sure to take all reviews, negative or positive, with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t get too hung up on reviews unless they are 100 percent negative… That said, I do believe you can get some basic information beyond the rating by reading these. For example if you consistently read that there are mechanical problems in all of the dorms or if someone complains that there aren’t enough food choices, it might be worth more investigation on the school’s website.</p>
<p>No, don’t get hung up on these reviews.
Instead, go to your school library and borrow one of these: Fiske Guide, Princeton review’s best colleges, or/and Insider’s Guide. Read up on schools in Ohio to see which ones “fit” you best.</p>
<p>As noted above, know that people are more likely to complain than praise. And some people are EXTREMELY fussy and will give low ratings for seemingly minor problems. (Even professional reviewers can fall into this trap - I’m look at you, Mr. NYT Restaurant Critic. Or Frank Rich back when he was ruining careers for no other reason than he could.) There are also people with vendettas and if you search for portions of certain critical reviews, you’ll find them all over the Web, reposted over and over again under different accounts. I think someone recently pointed out there’s a Reed critic who’s got a well written, but extreme rant that recently showed up here, and they’ve been posting in various places for years.</p>
<p>That said, there can be a grain of truth in even the negative reviews, but complaints about “too preppy” seem odd, though common. Who the hell cares? Go grunge, go goth, go schloppy, go whatever, why does everyone have to be like you? The Princeton Review article on Ohio U acknowledges a bit of what the critics say, though it doesn’t sound that extreme at all. Almost sounds like a set of vendetta posts.</p>
<p>It might be interesting but I wouldn’t put too much weight on it. If you use it, you need to judge for yourself whether the comments are credible. There are some fake reviews that don’t get screened out. Determine whether there are even enough reviews to provide a reasonable sample of opinion. Then look for trends and common complaints or praises that relate to matters of importance to you.</p>