[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMzc1MjIy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2025-12-22 16:23:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"The textbook he gives you doesn't help at all, it's extremely hard to understand. In lecture he goes very fast and it's difficult to take good notes, personally his lectures did not help me at all. I learned most of the material for class through a Coaching Actuaries subscription for exam FM. Be prepared for a quiz every Thursday. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMTM4NTA5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2025-12-10 03:27:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very interesting lectures and open to answering questions. The final exam is 50% of your grade, so make sure to pay attention and use resources provided. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMjM2MDg0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2024-12-12 00:22:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"One of the best professors I have had here. He can be a little intimidating, but you will learn so much in class, and he often brings real-world experience into lectures as he was an actuary for about 20 years. Lectures are very enjoyable, but class can be very difficult if you aren't prepared, especially the final exam worth 50% of your grade.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2MTA5MDcw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2022-04-20 03:24:13 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk has been my favorite professor at Madison and clearly understands how to teach actuarial concepts and get students involved and prepared. Coming into the actuarial science field, 303 is the first class required and Kirk made it such a memorable experience to have very necessary in-person lectures, even in the midst of the pandemic (Fall 2020).","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1ODA1Mjk2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2022-01-27 21:41:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great teacher; tries to relate and actually cares about his student's success. Accessible outside of class and even holds review sessions outside of normal office hours. I 100% would love to take any of his classes again.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NTMwMDc5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2021-12-15 02:41:06 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk was my favorite professor to date, and was really approachable and caring for his students. He knows the material well, and is good at teaching it. Overall, he's a really nice guy and a great teacher. Kirk's also a really good person to know in the Actuarial Science program so I would recommend taking his courses if you get a chance.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzNjA3MDEy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2020-08-23 20:23:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fine as a lecturer and clear he enjoys teaching the info. That being said, he's not for everyone, or even many. For ex., on one occasion he mocked a Malaysian student for how he said the number 3 in front of the class. To many he isn't helpful and may even offer a condescending remark if asked for help. If these bother you, proceed with caution","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NjgxOTIx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2016-06-01 22:06:46 +0000 UTC","comment":"Makes an effort to learn everyone's name and really cares about his students. He's very easy to understand and tries to make the subject as interesting as possible. Go to lecture because it's easier to understand and way less dry than the textbook. The homework is very helpful if you actually do it without looking at the answers.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2Mjk5NTY5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2016-04-14 17:34:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk is one of the best professors I have had. Don't get me wrong, the course content isn't easy and Kirk also makes his midterms relatively challenging, but the class is curved and the hard work will pay off for when you take exam FM. He is very good at explaining topics and has the experience to know how Act Sci students learn best.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1OTY5NjA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2016-01-20 13:53:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"By far, the best professor I've had at Madison. He honestly cares about his students understanding the material as well as passing the FM/2 Exam.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1ODYwNDU1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2016-01-02 14:02:51 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk is a great person to take a class with. He's funny, gets to know his students, and explains things well. Exams are not necessarily easy, but they're not confusing or ridiculously hard, either, and fairly reflective of the difficulty level of FM.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0MzA4Mjc0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2015-01-19 23:33:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"Peter's lecture is very interesting and clear. He is a funny and helpful professor. Love him!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzMjc5OTYy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2014-05-19 17:31:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Hands down the best professor I've had in Madison thus far. 303 is a tough class, but Kirk makes it easy. He's such a great guy and his lectures are interesting to listen to. The tests are tough, but if you put in enough time doing practice problems and studying it's not too tough to get an A. There's a lot of homework, but it pays off to do it","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzMDY5OTUw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2014-04-21 15:10:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk is awesome! Best professor ever. He is extremely helpful and makes sure everyone is understanding the material. He always answers question and goes above and beyond to help his students succeed. Exams are challenging as is the nature of the class, but he is very fair and will help whenever needed. Take this course, you won't regret it","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyMzcwMDIy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2013-11-22 00:35:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk is awesome. Truly wants everyone to succeed. Always willing to help you if you are having trouble.  Exams are difficult but fair.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyMDU3NzE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2013-08-15 21:02:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk is a wonderful teacher and person. He is passionate about teaching and the material - and making sure every student understands the difficult material. Take any class you can with him!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxNzYxNTI5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2013-05-14 23:03:17 +0000 UTC","comment":"Kirk is a awesome guy!! The class is not easy and it have lots of material to cover. Kirk did a great job and he was ready to help everyone. Really good.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:43.192996+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxNjg4Mzk2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:917965","instructor_name":"Kirk Peter","course_label":"ACTSCI303","course_id":"ACTSCI 303","course_uid":"course_0dc2eef4cc55721b49c22e15","review_date":"2013-05-06 17:46:48 +0000 UTC","comment":"If you want to be an actuary you should already be prepared for hard material. It is not an easy class, but Kirk is one of the best professors I've ever had, he is funny, helpful and all around a great guy. He covers all of the information you need to know. Take any class that you can with him, you wont regret it.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/917965","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0}]