University of Kansas Top Questions

Though you would assume that with a campus of 20,000 students there would be little or no personal relationship between professor and student, I have all of my professors' emails, and have emailed them (they always give speedy and helpful replies). I even have a couple cell phone numbers. I am not a number at KU, I am a student who is cared for by all of my professors.

Academically, KU is great, as well. Most of my professors know my name, or at least recognize my face and can guess my name. I take many large science classes in the large lecture halls with 400+ students. I make the classes feel smaller by sitting up front. (Plus the professors usually know who you are if you make the effort!) My favorite class by far has been organic chemistry. Dr. Hanson is one of the best professors for the job, does great, and keeps all of us motivated when we're having a hard time with the subject. My least favorite class would have to be any English class, but only because I don't like the topic. Most study times depend on the students' dedication and major. Most people that I am surrounded by in classes study a lot, but we are all pre-med and pre-pharm. Business students seem like their classes don't demand as much dedication and study, but that of course is from a science major's perspective. Class participation is quite common. The professors work hard to get even the quietest students to chime in in class, even in large ones. KU students across the campus do have intellectual topics within conversations. College isn't all fun and games, you have to put something into it in order to take something away. The most unique class I would have to say was microbiology (BIOL 400) with Dr. Buechner. He kept us entertained and hammered so much information into our brains at the same time. And he gave some really good comparisons and presentations to relate to topics. And his ties were entertaining too! I am pre-pharmacy...one of the most demanding because things that pre-med students can take their third and fourth years we take our sophomore year. I enjoy my classes very much, though. The only classes I complain about are those not required by my major! I have spent time out of class with professors - that's how you get them to recognize you, know your name, and to know that you are dedicated. Any little bit helps in college! KU's academic requirements are not too demanding, and we don't have to take a physical education class because of the hills, which give you enough of a workout, if you don't take the bus, of course. The classes I have taken are definitely geared toward a career, not just learning for learning's sake. Like I have said, you must make the effort to get something out of college. If you are going to college just to slide by, you won't learn much or be very prepared for the real world.

I think most professors know my name, if they don't it's my fault for not making myself known. Right now my favorite class is Sociology of the Family, it is a very thought-provoking class.

KU is fairly well-known for its strong academic programs. The classes I have taken have been very good classes; I've really learned new and useful things in them, and I actually feel that that information will be useful after I graduate. The professors are usually very friendly and helpful, inside and out, and a close relationship with professors is made easier by the class sizes, which are not often large, especially in the honors program.

Same as above. KU provides great research opportunities, and within both the English Department and the Psychology Department, I have only had good experiences with teachers. They have been not only competent but inspiring. However, I have mostly taken small survey courses and honors classes, which tend to skew the level of academic interest. In the large classes, there is very little class participation and a lot of apathy.

I really like my psyc 104 class, with Dr. Vitevitch, he is a great professor and very animated.

Until you get farther into your major you can pretty much expect large classes. At first it was overwhelming to walk into a lecture hall with 900 other students but it isn't bad and the professors work with you outside of class if you need some one on one time. Almost all of my professors thus far have been exceptional. I definitly suggest taking advantage of office hours even if you dont think you need help in a course because sooner or later you might need a recommendation letter and any way you can get the professors to remember you will help. I honestly expected the classes to be much harder than they are. As long as you show up to class and do your work it is not very hard to pass your classes.

I am a civil engineering major. My classes are small no bigger than 50 students for most classes. Everyone gets very close in my major, you will probably take the same classes with the same people. All my professors know my name within the first 2 weeks of classes starting in my department. In other departments, if you are willing to go to office hours you will get to know your professor. I love my classes and the professors here are very willing to help you anytime. The number one thing to remember is if you need help ask for it. The engineering school is very geared towards getting a job after graduation. They want you to be the best engineers you can be. While theory is important, they encourage internships and coop's to get some real world experience.

Yes. International Ethics: Most challenging class I have ever taken, learned the most. Introduction to Fiction - no comment... it was just my least favorite. - Study enough. Participation is limited. Students are pretty competitive, especially when you begin taking higher level classes. International Ethics. Political Science Department is full of a lot of intellectuals who are very inspiring to me. In the office or occasionally at a coffee shop, or bars rarely. Some of the Departments require too much. Like the Fine Arts department requires a minimum 3.0 GPA to be accepted, which seems a little backwards to me. I never thought Grades meant that much to artists. KU gears for both learning for one's own sake, and gearing you for a job.

I can't speak for other students, but I have been very impressed with the School of Engineering. I have never taken an Engineering class that was not taught by a Professor, and they make a genuine effort to learn your name and where you want to go in life. They have a strong academic standard in that they don't mind challenging the class academically be also want to help students succeed. It is very geared to getting a job, which is great because that's why we are here. The school of Engineering does everything they can to help us prepare for the job market.