Do college professors usually favor the nerdy, "plainer" looking students?

[Anonymous]

from what I've noticed, college professors seem to get along better and treat the nerdier or the "plain" looking students moreso than attractive students, contrary to what your reason might say...

do you think professors are biased against attractive students assuming that they are stupid or dishonest and not to display favoritism based on appearances?

[Vyxzuw]

No. They give 'favor' to those that are giving an effort to class. Students that come to class to learn don't put as much effort into their appearances as someone who is going to class and paying attention to the other students.

This creates a subset of students that are putting in effort, which has a majority that is 'nerdier'.

What would be interesting, is if you have an attractive student that puts in effort, and a plainer one, which would get more attention from the student. I believe you would find the more attractive student would get more. Look at academic clubs, the more attractive students in those clubs tend to get more attention.

[aMuse]

In many fields it's just about listening and taking an active interest in what they are teaching you. In science, they favor idea people, curious visionaries if you will. People that can look at problems and pour out different questions and ideas. You need to look at things from different angles (think outside the box) to discover new things, and solve problems that exist. You don't need to be the best student, with the best grades many times, but you do have to think like a scientist to show potential.

[Anonymous]

No, I find that the college professors like talkative students. The kind that frequently participate in class discussions.

I do however think that when it comes to the fine arts looks do come into play somewhat but that has more to do with style than anything. I'm not an art major, I've only taken a few art classes so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

[Asker]

haha, interesting...

[tigerlilly29]

It has nothing to do with looks. In my classes the professor's pet are those students that participate and carry the class discussion.

[TheoryOfAvarice]

They probably favor the students who actually give a damn about their class.

[Asker]

makes sense

[TheoryOfAvarice]

The nerdier kids might be more likely to fit that mold... but I don't think attractiveness or lack thereof has much to do with it.

I think professors just like to be appreciated, or know that they're inspiring someone. Especially when you're getting into those university and post-grad years.

[JohnScofield]

Most college professors like students that are interested in the classes and subjects they teach.

I taught for a few semesters while working on my PhD. I am fairly certain that the Profs in my department were not showing a lot of favoritism beyond appreciating students that appreciated them.

Maybe it is different at your University.

[TheDigitalSaint]

I don't think that's true. I think that professors tend to call on those people who are taking an active interest in the class. Some of us aren't exactly lookers, and some of us are hotter than others. The fact of the matter is, the most favored students are generally going to be the people who are good participants and engage the professor in question. That's what I witnessed.

[Bman94]

for me I'm actually a favorite of my A&P 2 teacher but not because of looks but because of my participation in and outside of class and good grades never hurt either.

[caligirl3]

i think they favor those who shows interests in the classes

[Moloch]

Nerdy people care about learning. Another thing that could ring true, is that some professors might see a younger version of themselves in those nerdy kids, so they can easily relate to them.

[pharaoh_lover48118]

I noticed this too..but I really don't have an explanation

[Anonymous]

Who ever takes an interest in the subject will gain favor.