Baylor University Top Questions

Right now Baylor is struggling to achieve certain academic standards, which are admirable in themselves. However, I would like to see them focus on continuing the legacy of an involved and caring faculty. The ECS department has some of the most committed and passionate educators I could imagine. The science departments, however, seem to have a majority of faculty who are absorbed in research and apathetic in their teaching. I can't stand disinterested professors.

Academics at Baylor are ridiculous. Most of the professors are great, but there are a few who should not be teaching anywhere. BUbooks.com is helpful. It has a professor ratings section that the students maintain. Lower level classes are quite large, but the more specialized you get, the smaller they get. Students are super competitive.

Baylor's academics are rigorous to say the least, but that doesn't mean that they're overwhelming. Personally, I think that it's a step up from high school, but I did go to a private, "college preparatory" school. Classes can range from anywhere to twenty students to a hundred and twenty, but each professor takes the time to make sure that no one is lost during a lecture. Students, while competitive in a sense that everyone wants to make the best grades that they can, are not suffocating. No one is so obsessed with grades that they don't leave time for plenty of social time. My major being English, I spend plenty of time in the English building. It has been a fantastic experience getting to know the various professors and how they got into teaching. I look forward to spending more time with them outside of the classroom, as well as inside.

Class sizes are small, and professors are generally easy to work with, always fair even when hard. Professors are required to hold weekly office hours during which they are available to students. Many professors are open to independent study with students, and it is not uncommon for profs to invote smaller, upper-level classes over for dinner at some point in the semester. Students here are serious about their studies, and serious about their intellectual lives outside of class. People study hard, and many also think hard outside of class, and outside of their majors. It can be as common to hear a philosophical as a social conversation walking around some parts of campus. Peopel ar conscious of the job market, but not all-consumingly.

A good majority of the classes at Baylor are smaller than a big state school. I can talk to professors easily and I have had atleast some one on one time with each of them. The classes can range from extremely easy to no one passes, it just depends on your major and the professor.

easier to get in than it is to stay! but hard work pays off and baylor is highly ranked nationally in most majors.

Professors go the extra mile to get to know you and help you when your struggling. It's a more personal experience then the basic student teacher relationships at larger schools.

As mentioned previously, the professors are wonderful. They are so understanding and helpful, but you have to take the iniative to go in and see them if you wish to develop a better professional relationship with them. Some like to have lunch/coffee breaks where they can get to know their students. At first, I thought this was creepy, but it is a great way to learn more about the class and what the teacher expects. Freshman year classes are mundane and trite. I seriously cannot wait to get to some harder and more interesting classes. I would recommend joining the Honor's College because they provide an atmosphere that is more challenging and there are certain perks that come along with honors. For example, I have found that it is easier to get into a professor's research team and you get to register the same time as grad students for classes (best perk ever!!). I truly feel that within the next few years Baylor's academic reputation will be comparable to other 'new ivy-leagues'.

It wasn't too hard for me to adjust to college academic life-if you just do your homework, keep up with your studying, and don't let things pile up you should be find. Don't let work pile up! Learn to be the anti-procrastinator. I love my professors and I really feel that I've learned so much more at Baylor than just book smarts. You grow as a person-spiritually, physically, relationally, etc. My hardest class would have to be Spanish. It is a doozie, but you trudge through it and I actually am learning-now if only I would remember it! The professors that I have had are pretty nice and really genuinely care about their students. I'm not really noticing competitive students, but I'm not in a specific academic program. I heard the Pre-Med majors were pretty competitive, but it's all good. Students will be students... Baylor's goal is to educate men and women for "worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community." I have absolutely no idea what I'll do after I get out of Baylor. I don't feel like I'm preparing for a job-more like finding a calling. To use these few years at college to connect the passions in my life, my faith, my strengths, and go out from that to make a difference somehow somewhere. Baylor wants to help their students find out what they were created for and work out of their strengths and really make an impact in this world.

Baylor prides itself on its professor/student relationships. Classes are generally small and professors learn your name and are very willing to help and give assistance. Many professors invite students over for dinner and such. Baylor is also a great school to go to if you want a good job. They offer a lot of career services.