The Worst (and Best) Things Students Say About Their Professors

Mrs. Weasley

Mrs. Weasley

Karen Gold, Harvard (2009): “Karen Gold,  aka “Mrs. Weasley,” should be teaching at Hogwarts, because its hard to believe someone this incompetent can exist outside of fantasy. Her voice and sense of humor will put you under the Crucius curse. Avoid her like you would the Hungarian Horntail.” (Note: Gold left Harvard in 2008 and now works in the private sector.)

 

Brian Uzzi, Kellogg (2013): “This professor has students he likes and those he does not – is you are the latter do not bother to go to class. Insecure aging professor who should not be teachings in a leading school. Everything is prepared before class, even the dry jokes.”

David Robinson, Berkeley Haas (2015): “Arrogant, rude, disrespectful, subjective.. Did I mention that he is arrogant, rude and disrespectful? He does not give you credit unless it is exactly as he thinks.. I put “sorta interested” because I went into the class with high hopes, but this guy really destroyed the subject for me.”

Keith Murnighan, Kellogg (2013): “Worse experience I had at Kellogg. An old, frustrated professor who finds himself funny. Over trying to be nice, but all artificial. Continuously criticizes the school’s dean and his colleagues in class, which I find distasteful. Stay away!”

Santiago Oliveros, Berkeley Haas (2009): “Here’s the bottom line: Santiago was recruited to Haas to conduct research and publish material (most likely in Spanish). Teaching is the cross he must bear; and sadly, it is our cross to bear as well. This man has a warm heart and loves Argentina – which is neat – but do yourself a favor, talk to him casually in the halls, but don’t take his class.” (Note: Oliveros now teaches in the University of London’s Department of Economics.)

Plague

Thomas Marschak, Berkeley Haas (2011): “Avoid Marschack like it’s 1350 and he has the Plague. I’m sure he’s a great person, but he is by far one of the most ineffective college professors I’ve ever had (and I transferred from a CC). Lectures are irrelevant and incomprehensible and handouts difficult to learn from. Do yourself a big favor, take Fitch instead.”

Stephen Brown, NYU Stern (2014): “Professor Brown is an unreasonable Australian dingus. Try to get a different professor.”

Steve Etter, Berkeley Haas (2013): “I have no idea how this guy has a high clarity rating. His class is nothing but random rants from an arrogant banker. That being said I think he’s a good human being who cares about the students he likes in his class. He will go to great lengths to help those who kiss his ass. The cases are time consuming but really interesting.”

Richard Thaler, Chicago Booth (2011): “Almost all of the examples he gives come directly form his book, Nudge. If you read the book, you don’t need the class. In many ways it felt “as if” he was reading his own book to us. He talks about himself a lot and constantly plays with his hair. –Expect a lot of homework that is unrelated to the material covered in class.”

Preston Clark, Cornell Johnson (2014): “T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. Seriously the dumbest and hardest class I’ve ever taken. PEOPLE WERE FAILING A 1 CREDIT CLASS. Makes things way harder than necessary and likes to watch his students struggle. I would rather be mauled by a bear than ever take his class again.”

Bradley Farnsworth, Michigan Ross (2008): “FARNSWORTHLESS. If you don’t write exactly what he is thinking inside of his arrogant head than you will not get a good grade. His class is interesting but the exams do not serve any purpose to the lectures. Most unfair, and incomprehensible teacher ever.” (Note: Farnsworth left Ross in 2012 and is an assistant vice present for a DC-based think tank.)

TEACHING ISN’T DEAD – IT’S AN ART

David Robinson

David Robinson

Ironically, many of these professors earned high marks from other students. Despite one Wharton student belittling John Percival’s theatrical bent, another calls him “very engaging for a class that would have been otherwise boring.” Berkeley’s David Robinson, who has inspired 152 student ratings, is also depicted as “helpful,” “supportive,” and “one of the best professors at Haas” (in addition to being a “Haas-whole” who is “arrogant, rude, disrespectful, [and] subjective.”). Along with being labeled a dingus, Stephen Brown has earned accolades like “fantastic professor” who “makes the material interesting with his own stories and jokes.”

Yes, teaching is an art that’s subjective, controversial, and ever-evolving. You may not be able to define it, but you can see it. The best professors are passionate and prepared, fair and forward-thinking, and demanding and defined. They genuinely care about their pupils. And they willingly share their knowledge with pretense or provisions. While some business students are happy to heap criticism on their tormenters, they too recognize excellence. And here are some reviews that help define exactly what it takes to reach today’s students:

The Best Comments:

Kurt Carrasquilla, Stanford (2014): “Professor Carrasquilla has a wealth of knowledge that he can pass on to you. Wish I would have taken this course about 20 years ago, I believe it would have made a difference in what or how I invested. Everyone should take this course and if you have not been for a while take it again as a refresher.”

Alexi Savov, NYU Stern (2011): “Savov is amazing. While financial concepts can be challenging to grasp, he will patiently walk you through them. And also, he is very attentive to his students and will respond promptly and thoroughly; he is very understanding. Also, he connects topics in the classroom to the real-world, making lecture fun. I highly recommend him.”