Tulane University of Louisiana Top Questions

I think the professors are pretty cool in general. You do come across some that appear evil, though. Just like students, every professor is different: they help out and teach different ways. You are going to get some professors that you don't like, but that's ok. By the end of the semester you may learn to like them. My professors, for the most part, have been pretty cool. I think my favorite, though, was my French II professor, Madam Voltz. She was one of the best, most helpful teachers I have ever experienced, She is suppers supportive of everyone, and she brings out the best in people. A tip for professors though, after you get to know them, you realize they fit into their profession (like English professors seem like English professors, scientists seem like scientists, etc.).

My professors were a big mix of good great and awful. All of my professors had amazing field and work experience. The problem was that some of them were able to translate their work experience into well taught classes, and other were never meant to teach a day in their lives. In retrospect, I with that I'd been more assertive about placing complaints to deans etc. about the bad professors and utilizing teaching assistants more. I also wish I'd just dropped some classes that I knew from the start were going to be bad. However, my good professors definitely outweighed the bad, especially in English. In public health, a lot of the professors are real research-science people who just did not think creatively enough to teach in an engaging manner. But the english professors and international development professors I had created lively discussion, and included trips and extra activities that took learning to the next level. My favorite professor was actually a public health professor though, after all the complaining. He was a criminologist who taught a class on violent crime, and brought in these awesome guest speakers. Another great professor took us on field trips around the city to see Kingsley House, a Head Start grantee, and brought in doctors and political appointees who have done amazing work in Louisiana and Washington D.C. So, the good professors pushed us to understand what work outside the classroom was like. And the bad professors let us linger in the classroom, reading boring powerpoint slide after powerpoint slide. I think all colleges have this difference, I just wish Tulane had a better method for pointing out underperforming professors before they get tenure.

The professors here are amazing! I have yet to run into a professor that is unwilling to help or direct you in any way. They seem to enjoy their jobs, which is pivotal for any teacher, and they want you to enjoy your college experience as much as you want to. Some professors though can be terrible though. That's the sad part. But most are like the ones described above.

New Orleans is a pretty sweet place to live, and to teach in so I have to figure that Tulane has little or no trouble attracting teachers to come work here. Because of that fact, Tulane has no shortage of tenured, excellent teachers that have generally served me well. There will be bad teachers at every school, but they're usually easy to spot early (If they speak English as a second language, that's not a good sign) and Tulane makes it easy to drop and add classes with more...desirable professors. Schools love to boast about personable teachers who guide you through your journey and make you feel at home. I never had one quite like that. I'm kind of a "stay in the back and pray not to be called on" kind of guy so I never made a ton of report. Still, every teacher has tons of office hours and will E-Mail you back nearly immediately if you have any questions. Most teachers here are fine to good. Some are great, some are terrible. You'll have them all by the time you graduate. Just roll with the punches.