Texas Christian University Top Questions

What are the academics like at Texas Christian University?

Tammy

Lousy and falsely inflated... I could get same textbooks at other places and better professors

Violet

Be prepared! Classes are FREAKING hard. I know people who are 4.0 in high school and are struggling. But it's make you better so it's good.

Alix

The academics here are awesome. I earned a 4.0 in my classes my first semester of college and some credit is due to those professors who taught well and were willing to help. All professors have office hours so if you're struggling you can visit with them and they really help because they can talk to you one on one and break it down for you. Classes are a good size. My smallest class has been one of about 20 and my largest class has been one of 110. Students take school pretty seriously and they are studying in their rooms, the hallways, the dorm lobby, and of course the library. The school really focuses on getting students prepared for the work and the real world after graduation. It's a great academic fit and there are a lot of cool classes available to take.

Krista

Small classes allow for teachers to know their students. I can talk to all of my teachers easily and without scheduling conflicts. Class participation is very common.

Peyton

I have really enjoyed the acamedic aspect of TCU. I have had a lot of really inspiring, great teachers. TCU is a good size and I really like the fact that the campus is closed and you can walk to anywhere you need to go on campus. The football games are also a lot of fun. There is a lot of school spirit and pride at TCU.

Alexandra

I would say most of my professors know my name which really surprised me for my first year in classes! The student-faculty ratio is relatively small so a lot of my classes are pretty small which is incredibly nice! Another thing that shocked me at TCU is that class participation is very common. Teachers really do care that you attend class. There is definitely a lot of studying. As it will be anywhere else, what you put into the class is what you get out of it so take classes you're interested in! The curriculum in every department is great - so many classes to choose from! I feel as though the campus in general is very intellectual. I may be biased because I live in the honors dorm, but a lot of people really care about academics because they want a strong future!

Mariah

Professors will learn to know your name and will even have a conversation with you when you see them outside of class. I love all of my classes, but sometimes it's annoying to take all of the core classes. Students study a lot- academics are extremely important to students here. But we aren't crazy kids who don't do anything but homework. Class participation is like any school- we have a lot of discussion classes, but students are hesitant to speak sometimes. The school is geared towards getting a job because, at least in my major, we get to practice what we learn so that we have experience.

Carolyn

The class sizes are usually pretty small with about 35 people each, although there are some core classes that can get up to 120. With these small class sizes, the professors get to know you and there is more room for discussion in class. I've found the classes to be challenging, but in no way overwhelming or impossible.

Caroline

The professors are very easy to get a hold of and spend a great deal of their time with students one on one. This is good for students in order to really learn the material and to be able to apply it after graduation. My favorite class has been Business Law. The professor wrote the textbook and was extremely knowledgeable about the topic. We frequently had class discussions and debates, very interactive and very informative.

ariel

~Do professors know my name: Yes…so much so that they write recommendations for me and invite me to lunch. ~My favorite class: are those that deal with children because I love them but also because the teachers make them extra fun by having us watch cartoons with homemade cookies or using great pictures ~How often do students study: depends on the class, how well the students learn, and what grade the student wants to make

Violet

Be prepared! Classes are hard, especially if you are in the honor college!

Violet

Be prepared! Classes are hard!

Violet

Be prepared! Classes are hard. I know people would stay up until 4 to do homework.

R

The academic rigor at TCU usually varies by department. Some departments, such as communications and fashion merchandising, are known for being complete jokes. Others, such as education and the sciences, are known for their academic and career excellence. A word of warning: If you have a minor in a college that is different from your minor (say, if your minor is in English but your major is in Chemistry), you will not receive any support from your minor's college.

Anne

Professors are amazing..... If you try hard, meet with them, try to get to know them, then they will try and help you in whatever way you need to. Each school is unique because of the professors. They work hard and really want you to succeed in life.

Alexa

Most professors at TCU take the time to really get to know their students. I feel like I can talk outside of class to any one of them and get help with whatever I need. Most students at TCU take their schoolwork pretty seriously, and class participation is really encouraged and very common. I'm a music major, and this department at TCU is incredible. Every music professor I have had has been amazing, and I have learned important things from each of them. The curriculum at TCU is pretty tough, and you have to stay on top of your schoolwork if you want to do well. I know a few kids who have gotten behind and have had to pay the consequences, whether that be by failing classes or losing scholarships.

Kristen

Every single professor I have had at TCU has known my name. They go out of their way to get to know their students - they have a required open-door office hour policy every week and some make themselves even more available. Professors get on Facebook and some even create their own websites or AIM screennames so they can better help their students. I cannot say enough about the professors at TCU. There is even a story about Speaker Jim Wright (Former Speaker of the House and TCU professor) and while I do not know if it's true, it speaks volumes about what TCU professors will do for students. Apparently a student came in to speak with Speaker Wright and during that time he received a phone call - he had his secretary take a message and continued to help the student. When the student left, he asked his secretary to get the President of the United States back on the phone - that's who had called when the student was there and he had put him on hold! Competition is very evident on campus, especially in honors classes and programs. Students are driven to succeed, learn, and make their future's brighter. Courses are academically and socially stimulating as well. Professors and all members of the campus community encourage students to get involved and become active and ethical leaders in our world. The Chancellor personally invites students from various organizations to his house for dinner and conversations as way of saying "Thank You" for their work. I can't think of another school where the Chancellor actually cares enough to know my first name - it's amazing!

Sarah

Professors are generally very friendly and personable- like they know your name enough to greet you in the hallway 2 semesters after you took their class. In bigger survey classes be prepared to be virtually invisible, but in normal classes you will be important and involved. Different teachers teach differently, but all are very understanding if that is not how you learn- they aren't that hard to approach about problems. Students are competitive in certain classes I feel, especially business classes, but in others they are generally supportive of each other. I don't really ever spend time with teachers outside of class because I think it would be uncomfortable. I am an English major and this department is difficult for me because of the workload associated with each English class- lots of reading and writing per class then multiply that times 3 to get only part of a semester's class load. The academic requirements of the TCU Core are understandable, but not every class that should count for a specific credit does, making it very difficult to complete the core and take classes that interest you. I feel that most of the learning is simply for learning's sake.

Dylan

rigorous...certain classes are very demadning. i put in alot of work and i do feel like i learned alot

Jody

Depends on the major but you will get an excellent education, especially in business, pre-health, and nursing fields. good teachers who do care.