Founded in 1870, St. John’s University is a private east coast institution though it does boast campuses in Italy and Paris that serves upwards of 16,000 undergraduate students. Its five departments are balanced between liberal arts and professional fields scholars looking to separate themselves from the pack will appreciate the school’s 13 special accreditations. U.S. News and World Report ranked the Roman Catholic college in the first tier of North American programs. Current or prospective pupils should also be relieved to hear that it’s just as lauded for being an outstanding return on investment (which it should be based on its current $29,350 annual tuition rate). Consider this 659 full time professors is a lot! We looked at Rate my Professors to determine the professors you should pass on, and the ones you shouldn’t pass up.
Below Average
- Leon Gerber: Mathematics can be mind numbing even for the brightest of number-loving students, so is there any hope at all for the right brainers out there? Not a chance if it’s Gerber scribbling up equations on the board. This notoriously hard grader has prompted quite a few enrollments in the tutor center, all to no avail. Struggling students say you’re doomed if you don’t do the work in the same way that he does. Of course, how could you not expect this kind of closed-mindedness from a man who requires you to buy a textbook that he wrote talk about a wrong answer!
- Anthony Catalano: Psychology professors tend to know a thing or two about how the human thought process works, so why doesn’t this department flop understand that students will never feel engaged when they’re simply being read to from dull slides? Plus, he’s not without his quirks. Former class-goers say that his compulsion with assigned seating can often detract from the learning experience if even one person is not where they’re supposed to be. If you’re comfortable with teaching yourself the material, then you might make it out of Catalano’s quest for control unscathed. Everyone else, start trying to reawaken Jung’s spirit now.
- Timothy Carter: There’s no denying that this science instructor is passionate about the subject, but the problem is that he might just be so passionate that he takes basic principles for granted in puzzled undergraduates. At this point in his career, he’s more interested in research studies than laying a solid academic groundwork that can be used later down the road. A+ students will break out the tissue box when they receive grades in the D range, and grueling tests many of which feature questions that come verbatim from the complex readings won’t do much to save your GPA by the end of it.
If you’re interested in St. John’s University, check out our article on Things I Wish I Knew About St. John’s University.
Exceptional
- Frank Holland: No Roman Catholic school would be complete without a well studied theologian, and this department favorite more than fills that role with faculty and students alike by seriously knowing his texts all while delivering them in a befitting Irish accent. Former undergraduates say that his detailed PowerPoint presentations make for very thorough notes, which make studying for tests a cinch. He also doesn’t have that holier than thou attitude that some academics have. If something remains unclear, be it in lecture or during office hours, he’s more than happy to take the time to review. Those who regularly participated did the best, so let Holland see those hands in the air!
- John Lin: If “Lin is a friend” isn’t a St. John’s slogan by now, it should be. Communications majors can’t rave enough about this professor who’s helped more than a few students petrified of public speaking overcome their fear with his comforting classroom. While introverts say they were initially apprehensive, a vast majority accredit Lin with breaking them out of their shell. Best of all, his lectures keep on giving long after final grades have been posted. He’ll teach you skills about presenting that you’ll carry with you throughout your academic and professional career. So is it worthy of the favorite class brand? Former students are vocal that yes, yes it is.
- Denis Sullivan: Ah psychology, the subject that makes students look around the classroom as much as it does inside their mind’s eyes. Sullivan, a veteran instructor who’s committed to helping his undergraduates succeed at dense material through admittedly challenging assignments, is admire for his obvious passion for the field of study. Unlike the more tangent-prone of collegiate speakers, he tries to facilitate discussion rather than just talk at those before him. The politically engaged appreciate his rhetoric on the state of our gilded age.
Ryan James is a ’13 alumnus of Ohio University’s College of Arts & Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in writing and media. He currently works as a copywriter for a Fortune 500 e-commerce corporation based in Columbus, OH.