About RateMySupervisor
Our Mission
Helping PhD students make more informed decisions about the most consequential relationship of their academic career.
Choosing a PhD supervisor is not just about research interests; it's about finding a mentor whose communication style, lab culture, and expectations align with your needs. RateMySupervisor is a community-driven platform designed to bring transparency to this process, ensuring that the next generation of researchers can thrive in environments that suit them best.
A Note from the Founder
Alex W.
I'm Alex, a CS Ph.D. candidate at a top-tier research university.
Like many of you, I spent months researching my advisor's H-index and publication history before applying. But once I got into the thick of research, I realized that a professor's citation count tells you absolutely nothing about how they treat their students on a Tuesday afternoon.
I've seen too many brilliant peers lose their passion for science — not because the research was too hard, but because they were trapped in a supervision style that didn't fit. I built RateMySupervisor because I was tired of the “whisper networks.” You shouldn't need to have “inside connections” to know if a lab culture is healthy or toxic.
My goal is simple: to make sure your decision is based on real data from real desks, not just what's on a CV.
Why We Built This
Information about academic supervision has traditionally been informal, fragmented, and whispered in hallways.
- • The Problem: Prospective students often choose labs based solely on publication records, only to discover later that the supervision style is a complete mismatch for their working habits.
- • The Impact: This mismatch can lead to mental health struggles, delayed graduation, or even mastering out of programs.
- • The Solution: We believe that lived experience is data. By aggregating the collective wisdom of current and former students, we aim to democratize access to this crucial information, leveling the playing field for applicants who don't have inside connections.
How We Approach Transparency
We are building the “Glassdoor for Academia” — a professional, structured, and safe space for feedback.
1. Context Over Scores
A 1-star rating doesn't tell the whole story. Our review structure encourages detailed feedback on specific dimensions like funding reliability, micromanagement vs. independence, and work-life balance.
2. Anonymity with Accountability
We understand the power dynamics in academia. RateMySupervisor prioritizes contributor safety through strict anonymity measures (display names), while simultaneously enforcing community guidelines to prevent abuse and ensure constructive discourse.
3. “Fit” Not “Cancel Culture”
Our goal is not to “cancel” strict supervisors. A supervisor who is “too hands-off” for one student might be the perfect “autonomy-granting” mentor for another. We provide the data; you decide the fit.
Our Community Guidelines
To maintain a constructive environment, we ask our community to adhere to these core principles:
- • Be Honest & Specific: Share your genuine, first-hand experience. Vague venting is less helpful than specific examples of supervision style.
- • Focus on Professionalism: Critique the supervision methods, not the person's private life or appearance.
- • Constructive Tone: The most impactful reviews are those written fairly and objectively.
Disclaimer
RateMySupervisor is an independent platform. Reviews and interview experiences reflect the personal opinions of individual contributors. They are not statements of fact and do not represent the views of RateMySupervisor or any affiliated university.
RateMySupervisor operates as an interactive computer service provider under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230). As such, we are not legally responsible for the content posted by our third-party users.
Join the Movement
Whether you are a prospective student, a current candidate, or an alumnus, your voice matters.
Questions or feedback? Contact us