Gonzaga University Top Questions

I love that professors want to get to know you and help you out in anyway they can. They learn your name and really care about you sucess in their class.

The professor's genuinely care about your education. If you ever need help, just drop your professor a line or drop by his/her office; they'll help you out. Even if you can't get ahold of them, there are plenty of places to go, including a math lab and a writing lab. You are required to take religious courses, but I've found them to be both enlightening and entertaining. Also, the philosophy courses are engaing and class participation is always encouraged. You can always find a place to study, even if the dorms are too noisy for you. The upstairs of the Foley Library is a zero-noise tolerated, so you're guranteed to find peace and quiet. Regarding my major, computer science is fairly hard. If something isn't explained correctly to you, it's easy to get lost. The math requirements are challenging and require at least one hour a day per credit for study. You'll find plenty of people to get help with a program and I was encouraged to seek out other classmates to get help on assignments, just so long as we gave credit when credit was due. Out of all my classes so far, I think I enjoyed Intro to Philosophy the most. Learning about fallacies and the structure of arguments was enjoyable and interesting. It was made more so by my professor, whom I've opted to take Phil 201 with, even though the class I'm in runs from 6-9PM. One thing you will hear about constantly is having a class with a Jesuit priest as your professor. I haven't had such a class yet, but I fully intend to when I get the chance. I've had numerous conversations with some of them and I can say that I'm extremely curious as to how it will be to take a class from one of them.

Academics are VERY important at Gonzaga and the professors take it very seriously. Some of the professors are amazing, such as the philosophy professor Mr. Bowman and the Biology/Chemistry teacher Dr. Chan. The professors have regular office hours and love to see their students come in, and they all usually know you by name. If you can't make it by that time, they will come in early or stay late to help. Basically, they want to see you succeed. Not all the professors are that great. I would suggest using ratemyprofessor.com to avoid some boring and well..."interesting" ones. But really, all colleges have some not so good professors.

One aspect of the gonzaga academic experience that has satisfied me is the liberal arts education. I really enjoyed having classes that were outside of my major curiculum. Because of my intense major it was a chance to relax and actually think creatively. I have learned alot about myself and what I want to achieve with my life through gonzaga's core classes.

The best teacher I've ever had is my adviser and broadcasting instructor, Dan Garrity. He's made class a blast, and he really connects with his students and is genuinely concerned with how they're doing in their other courses. However, I have had some terrible professors, but I don't think there's a college out there that has flawless profs across the board. Since I'm not religious, I was worried about the required 9 religion credits that GU makes its students take. So far, though, I've plowed through 6 of them without any issues. GU doesn't really force religion upon you, you just have to learn a little about it. Having to put up with a couple hours of religion class for a couple semester has been more than worth it.

Gonzaga has a pretty good academic reputation. The reason for this eludes me. Classes are unbearably simple. In the first few semesters, expect a lot of core classes that do no good, like philosophy 101: Critical Thinking. For some reason, I expected them to filter out the people who didn't already know how to think in the admissions process. Attendance is required in most classes because otherwise no one would have a need to show up. Many of the "professors" do not have advanced degrees but still think their class is the most important thing in your life.

Classes at Gonzaga are relatively small, they are about the same size as the classes that I had in high school. This is nice because then you get to know your classmates and its somewhat easier to make friends as well as being able to take a class and know at least one or two people in it. From my experience some of the students are competitive but not in a grueling manner. Everyone is pretty fair and seems completely open minded which is nice. The professor's seem to welcome diversity not just among their students but in ideas and activities and/or assignments. Participation is something that is very common, at first it was a little nerve racking for me because the classes are so small but I got used to it and realized that my fellow students aren't there to judge me but to learn from me and each other not to mention that they probably have the same questions as I do and don't want to say anything. My marketing classes are the most unique classes that I have taken so far. They seem to take teaching to another level and help to blend the worlds within the classroom and the business world. It really brings learning to a new dimension and enables both students and professors to exercise all of their creativeness in wonderful ways.

Academics are mediocre at Gonzaga. I have yet to take a class out of my major that I have found worthwhile to my education. The professors are, for the most part, welcoming and qualified. However, the classes and overall structure do little to advance one's education and 'total self.'

GU was awesome for broadcasting! All of my professors knew my name, but it wasn't small enough to feel like high school. You can be your own person, but also have a great mentor to help you along the way if you get lost! Our Broadcasting department was heavily geared towards helping me become a better reporter, and I accepted a Sports/News Reporting job before I graduated. I owe it to my professors and my amazing experience at GU!

Academics are good. Gonzaga does a really good job for a small school of offering majors in lots of different areas. The professors are also very eager to offer outside help to students, something you're not apt to find at a larger University.

Gonzaga (esp. the sciences) does not believe in grade inflation. The average biology student graduates with a C average in science. In most biology classes, getting B's will require a considerable effort. The good thing is that grad programs and medical schools know that, and take it into consideration when reviewing applicants from Gonzaga.

Professors at this school know your name. They know your major, and they're interested in your success and always willing to help you. Studying is a priority here.

I am majoring in Special Edcation, and I LOVE IT! The Professors do an incredible job of getting you in the schools so that no time will be wasted. You are given the opporunity to become comfortable in the classroom, and you learn so much more by having you own personal (hands on) experience. This also allows you to truly see if education is the right feild for you, and if it is you know it right away. And you are willing work so hard, because you KNOW that's what you want to do!

Good relationships with professors, I have been to numerous professors houses for dinner, classes are small so lots of class participation. Students have intellectual conversations outside of class but students are not to competitive. Gonzaga is definitely geared to learning for its own sake and not toward getting you a job. I liked learning for learning sake but it would have been nice to have some more guidance when it came to finding a job. Biology department is small so there are not many research opportunities.

Classes are easy but because classes are small teachers grade a lot on if they like you or not. Making it feel like high school.

Professors are absolutely incredible. They really make an effort to get to know you on a personal level and take an active interest in your progress, both in and out of the classroom. They are challenging both intellectually and philosophically. I did GU's honors program, so a bunch of my core classes were discussion-oriented, which was awesome. Students are smart. They challenge each other and allow each other to grow through varied and intelligent conversations both in class and at home. I felt challenged at Gonzaga, and thought that I could reach my full potential.

Much like its athletic success and slight preoccupation, Gonzaga also has an incredible history in its dedication and refinement to academic study. As a small school Gonzaga offers very small class sizes, which range anywhere from 6-40 students in a class. I have excellent experiences in the classroom, including one class that I was one of 6 students with a compassionate professor who wanted nothing else but to help us really understand the material. Although, like at any school some classes are better than others as professors and subjects vary in style and intrigue, but I must say that overall I believe the professors to be knowledgeable, challenging, and kind. It is not uncommon for a professor to invite students to his/her home, and many actually build life long relationships. In the classroom, interest and participation definitely varies. Typically in the freshman and sophomore core classes there is not much participation because due to their required nature few really want to be there. But as Junior and Senior year approach, students have focused in on their preferred area of study and interest and participation increases while class size decreases. There is a wide diversity in class curriculum and class choices within each major, however, probably not near as much as a bigger school would be able to offer. That would probably be my only complaint about the academic program at Gonzaga because I sometimes was frustrated that there wasn't a broader selection of classes in the Arts Dept. In the end, I think I have benefitted tremendously from Gonzaga's academic program. I have enjoyed its laid back yet perfectly challenging style and manageable size. If you really want to get into a specific trade though I think a larger school would be more appropriate as Gonzaga is certainly more of a "learning for its own sake" kind of school.

Challenging, but the teachers adjust depending on the student's capabilities and the effort put forth.

The academics at GU are amazing! The classes are small enought that the teachers know you name, how your doing, and in most cases genuinly care about your progress--that is of course if you care. No one is going to babysit you or help you if you don't want it. Much of my time with friends is spent either playing sports, or having an academic conversation over a good cup of coffee. I love to learn and see that trait in many others at GU. Students are competitive in all they do and yet helpful to others. The environment is not cutthroat by any means! The most unique class I have taken is called Survey of International Relations~ it was an incredible, hands one course that was both the hardest and most rewarding class I have ever taken! I love GU's academic requirements as culminated in their desire to produce well-rounded graduates. The professors are the best and are willing to help with both academics as well as life-advice. It seems that doors are rarely closed, and if they are its for a good reason. A Gonzaga education is geared toward future employment, but also toward loving what you do and becoming a life long learner.

Gonzaga is a great school academically. There are great professors that will bend over backwards to help you succeed, both in and out of the classroom. Gonzaga students are generally very highly motivated and strive for success in the classroom. Gonzaga's philosophy is educating the whole person. The requirements include religion and philosophy which have been some of my favorite classes. I am a finance and economics major and have found the business school to be great.