Do students really think that if they kiss up to the professor,they'll get an A ?

Question

I've noticed this in a class I'm taking,the professor has a half dozen groupies that follow him around after class.
No.He isn't hot either.

No honey,I'm talking about college,it happens here also.

I'm not thumbing my nose at them,I just think they're weird.If I want a recommendation,I'll go to the dean not a professor.

"Sweet taquito" you're funny !

Answer 1

Some people are too shy to ask questions during class--they're more comfortable talking one-to-one. Others may have scheduling issues that they need to deal with.

As somebody who's been both a teaching assistant and a professor at the college level, I wouldn't describe this type of behavior as "sucking up." Frankly, I wish more students would do this sort of thing--because it's in their own best interest.

Does it mean these students are going to get A's because they take the time to talk to their professor after class? Of course not. But that doesn't mean that showing an interest in the class doesn't make a difference.

If a professor is calculating grades at the end of a semester, and has two students who are right on the borderline between two grades, which one is more likely to get bumped up? The one who has been absent a quarter of the time and who the professor has never seen outside of class, or the one who always shows up, asks questions after class, and is clearly putting in some effort?

It's not a hard call to make.

Answer 2

There are a lot of reasons this could be happening. Yes, it might be that they think they will do better if the professor likes them, and unfortunately, in far too many cases, they would be correct!

It might also be that the professor, even if he isn't "hot", is in some way attractive to these students. They may find him funny, or interesting, or just a nice guy. When I was in college, there was a guy who always had "groupies" around him, and my roommate and I always thought he must be really full of himself and it was just because he was good-looking. Then later, when I was working in a restaurant, this same guy came in regularly as a customer and yes, he was still surrounded by other people. But I learned that he was just an incredibly nice person, and people liked to be around him for who he was. I felt really foolish for having assumed the worst about him. That might be the case with this professor.

Thirdly, the students may find that they learn more if they spend more time with him. He may hold discussions with them which clarify the material. As someone said, they may be people who are uncomfortable asking questions in class, but feel better about it when they can talk to him away from an audience. They may pick up supplemental information this way.

One thing you said which disturbed me - you said that if you needed a recommendation, you would go to the Dean rather than to a Professor. This assumes that any recommendation from a person with a higher position is preferable to one from someone with a lower position, which is inaccurate. The best reference is one from someone who knows your work intimately and can give personal examples of your performance. That person in a university setting is far more likely to be the professor than the dean. Unless it was obvious from the Dean's letter that s/he had taught a class which you took, or s/he had worked with you directly on a long-term project, I and most of my colleagues would much rather have a letter from the Professor.

Answer 3

They are probablly angling for something more important. A strong letter of recommendation for graduate school or a phone call to connections in the real world can be make or break events to get one's foot in the door. Since these things require a more intimate relationship than can be achieved in a typical 2.5 hour per week class, spending time outside of class with faculty is the only way to assure that these relationships develop.


Pay attention. These "groupies" that you are thumbing your nose at are the ones who are going to get the choice internships and acceptance letters to law schools and graduate schools.

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So, what's the difference between "kissing up" to the dean to get a LOR, which by the way is WAY LESS impressive to academics such as myself, and "kissing up" to a professor to get a LOR. Either way, you have to establish a personal relationship.

Answer 4

A dean won't write you a recommendation - not if they've never met you or had you for a class. You'll need your professors for recommendation. That doesn't mean you have to suck up - but it helps if they have a clue who you are.

Or maybe they are interested in his research. Many professors offer summer research internships, which go a long ways towards helping a grad school application.

Answer 5

THis sounds really stupid but my school sucks i have all these little people that follow around there teachers and are such kiss up and whats really screwed up is that the teacher loves them and yes they do get an A but of course maybe this only happens in middle school lol! Luckily im leavin soon!

Answer 6

well if they do that they probably get rly bad grades and you are right they are kiss ups and that is not fair to da teachs hey do you have any bff's that do that?????

Answer 7

Did you ever think maybe they appreciate him and the knowledge he shares?

Answer 8

i know how you feel, it's unfair BUT it works, my friend has had straight A's practicaly all of his life and he's only moderately smart...but it's still annoying to see

Answer 9

You need to get laid and not fantisize about your creepy grade aspirations. You sound like you have terrible, pent up drives.
See a psychological counselor or get some... you jelouse cry baby. You sound like the cry babies on yahoo answeres.