University of San Francisco Top Questions

Classes in my school are small, which means the professor is more likely to know who you are. The smallest class I had there were 12 students and the biggest class had 60 students. Even my biggest class is small compared to other schools. I’ve had different types of professors, some just lecture and don’t ask feedback from students, and others are very engaged with the students. My favorite class so far is my current class, which is the sociology of hip-hop. I like the professor’s enthusiasm and passion for the class and everything I’m learning makes me question so many things in society. Students are competitive because everyone wants the highest grade and to do the best, but it’s not cutthroat. It is recommended that you study for a class two hours for every hour of class. What I really like that has worked is going to the school’s free tutoring center, professor and T.A. office hours, and partnering up with a classmate. I really think I am getting a good education, because apart from my Business major classes, we are required to take core classes, like Ethics and History. Taking these classes will help gain a broader perspective for life and work.

The academics at USF are exceptional. I have had some of the smartest and most inspiring teachers that far exceeded my expectations. Teachers are so willing to help students and are so readily available it makes failing not an option. The resources needed to succeed are abundant.

As a business major, most of my professors are highly qualified and encouraging. They want to help us begin our careers in the "Real world" and help us as much as possible. There are such a wide range of courses offered outside of my major that are often fun to take for a change.

Academics at USF are great here. All of the professors I've had so far really care about teaching their subject well as well as getting to know their students. Class sizes are generally very small, meaning that it's easy to get a more individual interaction with teachers. Also, no matter what your major, there are a lot of opportunities offered to students regarding things like internships and volunteering opportunities.

I have mixed feelings about the academics here at USF. I am found of saying that the classes are simultaneously too hard and too easy. Here's what I mean: many of the professors seem hellbent on "challenging" their students, but they go about it in the wrong way. It is not at all unusual for professors to cram an insane amount of material into a single semester. They will assign tons of reading and numerous (read: incessant) essays and papers. They will also impose strict deadlines. I have heard that USF tries to model its academics on Harvard, and that does not surprise me. But the result, in my opinion, is far from satisfactory. I feel as if I am constantly doing busy work, and often fear that I will "crack" under the pressure. There is so much reading, that I feel as if I do not have adequate time for reflection! There are so many rules and regulations, that I feel as if my creativity is being squelched! The constant onslaught of work prevents me from engaging with the material in a meaningful way. I often feel as if I am involved in an elaborate charade, where I complete assignments only in order to graduate, and NOT because of any intrinsic benefit. So, basically, for me, the structure of the classes at USF destroys my desire to learn. At the same time, the classes are too easy in the sense that, despite the high workload, the assignments are not profound. The professors will force us to do so much busy work, for example, that we do not end up having enough time to devote to our research papers. In my major, there is not even an option to pursue a "senior thesis," which is pretty deplorable for those of us hoping to go to grad school. I think that a lot of these problems are due to the vocational emphasis at USF. The school seems to be teaching students how to behave in the professional world, rather than how to think! If you want an ivory tower experience, USF may not be the best place for you. Likewise, if you want an avant-garde intellectual experience (where you can design your own major, or do a lot of inter-disciplinary exploration, or respond to assignments creatively, etc.), USF may not be the best place for you. If you are a practical person who is into things like time management, pre-professional behavior, multitasking, and deadlines, then USF is the perfect school for you!

The academics here are wonderful. As I stated in my overall experience, you are able to participate in class and most professors encourage it! If you are looking for one-on-one attention, it is easy to receive it here. The classes that I have taken are amazing and I have enjoyed everyone of them, except for maybe Rhetoric.

The academics at this school are challenging yet exciting. There is a lot of class participation involved in the classes and it provides for some interesting discussions. I like how a lot of the academics seem to have a focus on social justice and it is not just learning on an abstract level.

I love classes at USF. The professors really take time to learn your names and offer a million resources to help you out in class if you're every feeling lost of confused. The class sizes are also perfect, in my opinion, with about 30 people in a standard classroom. There also do offer auditorium style classes if you are taking more science-based courses and those class can reach up to about 150 students. People do take classes seriously here: they study, participate, ask questions in class, attend study groups, and more. One of the most unique classes I took at this university was my sculpture class during summer where we would go on a scavenger hunt around the city to find objects to create a meaningful sculpture to us. Also, in my astronomy class, the teacher had us go to a free museum day to the Center of Arts and Science in Golden Gate Park to go to the planetarium. Also, we went on top of a dorm building to do a telescope viewing as well; I saw Saturn's rings and I loved it! I am a Psychology Major with a double minor in Neuroscience and Classical Studies. In every single department, I have never meet such wonderful teachers and mentors in my life. It honestly feels like a great big family. Teachers really take pride in what they teach and it shows. All of the majors, classes, and curriculums are geared towards making you a much more well-rounded student and you feel like your education is specialized in helping you achieve your successful career.

Academics are rigorous but not overbearing. All my professors know my name. One of my classes I am in has only 8 people and we sit around a table. Most classes end up being a discussion more than a lecture. Depending on majors, students can end up studying a lot or hardly ever. It is commonly known at USF that Business majors leave the school with great jobs but hardly ever have a lot of homework through their four years. However, if you are a science or architecture major be prepared to pull a few all nighters. Rather than students being competitive, our school encourages students to work together because that is how the real world is going to be.

very similar to high school, professors are very involved and care about our academics. group projects, students are in the same classes