Navigating Rate My Professor: A Guide to Cerritos College Professors

Choosing the right professor can significantly impact a student's academic experience. Resources like Rate My Professor offer a platform for students to share their experiences and provide insights into various instructors. This article synthesizes student feedback regarding Cerritos College professors, offering a comprehensive guide to help students make informed decisions.

Understanding Student Perspectives

Student reviews often highlight key aspects of a professor's teaching style, course structure, and overall demeanor. While individual experiences may vary, common themes emerge that can be valuable in evaluating potential instructors. These themes often include clarity of grading, workload, lecture style, and accessibility.

Professor Feedback: A Subject-by-Subject Overview

Geology

One student who took GEOL102 on October 17th, 2025, "loved taking this course!" and rated it a 10/10. They noted that the 9-week semester involved "lots of assignments," requiring dedicated study and reading. The professor facilitated peer interaction through Pronto and delivered "amazing lectures" with "good feedback" and care. The student emphasized that the assigned work was manageable with sufficient study, especially since it was open note.

Another student noted, "The professor is really nice but he assigns tons of hw. if you get behind its super HARD to catch up and theres lots of field work meaning field trip thats can take all day 6am-8pm and if you dont go it will affect your grade and there multiple field trips. and you also have to teach yourself before you go to class. you also work in groups it goes super fast."

Mathematics

For MATH170, one student described the course as "doable as long as you commit yourself to making sure you're are doing the homework and study for the exams." The professor provides "extremely helpful" study guides, and the lecture material is reinforced in the online homework. A TI-84 calculator or StatCrunch is required. The grading criteria is clear, but the professor is a "critical grader" who curves the first few exams. Attendance is important, and the student found the WebAccess for homework unnecessary.

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Another student shared their experience with MATH150 on June 7th, 2023, stating that it was their "favorite professor" during their first semester at Cerritos. While the homework load was substantial, the exams were "very fair," and the professor provided a "very helpful" study guide, reviewing it with the class before the exam. The professor was also described as "very funny and nice."

In contrast, a student reviewing MATH112 on November 22nd, 2021, strongly advised against taking the class with the professor. They found that later in the semester, the lectures didn't align with the homework, requiring students to teach themselves. The student emphasized the importance of taking notes to succeed in the class.

History

A student who took HIS103 on May 18th, 2024, found it to be "not a bad class," primarily involving watching lectures and taking notes, along with writing essays. The professor's lectures were described as "painfully long," with "random infrequent pop quizzes." Grades were based on a midterm, final, and assignment. Despite this, the professor was seen as "very passionate about history" and "very old fashioned, kind, and witty."

Another student emphasized the need to "take lots of notes" due to the professor's talkative nature and fast-paced lectures.

Political Science

A student reviewing POL101 on August 9th, 2022, cited "POOR communication," particularly in the online format, with no response from the professor throughout the semester. This was deemed "very unprofessional."

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Conversely, another student who took POL101 on January 7th, 2022, described the professor as "Awesome," "super friendly," and helpful, encouraging students to pass the course.

Students reviewing Professor Chien in POL101 highlighted his thorough lectures and recommended using flashcards and the Success Center. Extra credit opportunities were also noted. One student advised that the class material "is not easy" and requires significant study time. Another student praised Professor Chien as "an amazing professor" who teaches with a calm manner, is knowledgeable, and eager to help. Materials like weekly lecture quizzes and study guides were provided.

Economics

Students consistently praised Professor Chi in ECON201 and ECON202. One student described him as a "caring and understanding professor" with a high rating for a reason. Another highlighted the effective structure of his online course, with consistent weekly assignments. He is "very responsive" and offers "LOTS of extra credit" to boost grades. He also allows late submissions with a penalty. His lectures were described as "very engaging and easy to follow along with."

Philosophy

For PHI100, a student in the summer of 2025 found the course "very easy," with "quick and easy to complete" assignments. However, they cautioned that some quiz questions are "purposefully worded oddly," requiring careful attention to the textbook. Another student described Professor Yoon-Sung Cho as "very understanding" and the assignments as straightforward, recommending the class for an easy A.

A student who took PHIL102 on May 17th, 2024, noted that the professor only assigns "assignments that will be beneficial to you," which are "simple and easy to understand." The professor is "very understanding" and offers extra credit.

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General Observations on Cerritos College

Beyond specific professors, students have shared broader feedback about Cerritos College. One student with two and a half years of experience described the college as "awesome" with "so much opportunity for growing as a person and as a student of not just school but life." They found it a "safe haven" for meeting passionate people.

Another student recommended the college to anyone seeking a "new exciting rich fulfilling career path," praising the "impressive facilities," "excellent safety," and "supportive and helpful" professors. They also highlighted the guidance received from counselors.

However, not all experiences were positive. One student recounted feeling "stupid" and "unintelligent" due to a professor who did not seem to care about helping students understand the material.

Key Factors in Professor Evaluation

Based on the student feedback, several key factors emerge as important in evaluating professors:

Clarity of Grading: Students appreciate professors who have clear and well-defined grading criteria.
Workload: The amount of homework and assignments is a significant consideration. Some students prefer a lighter workload, while others find that more assignments help them learn the material better.
Lecture Style: Engaging and well-organized lectures are highly valued. Some students prefer traditional lecture styles with extensive note-taking, while others prefer more interactive and discussion-based approaches.
Accessibility: Professors who are accessible outside of class hours and willing to help students are highly regarded.
Feedback: Timely and constructive feedback on assignments is essential for student learning and improvement.
Caring and Understanding: Students appreciate professors who genuinely care about their students' success and are understanding of their challenges.

Utilizing Rate My Professor Effectively

While Rate My Professor can be a valuable resource, it's important to use it critically. Consider the following tips:

Read Multiple Reviews: Don't rely on just one or two reviews. Look for common themes and patterns in the feedback.
Consider the Context: Take into account the student's major, learning style, and expectations. A professor who is a good fit for one student may not be a good fit for another.
Look for Specific Examples: Pay attention to reviews that provide specific examples of the professor's teaching style, assignments, or interactions with students.
Be Aware of Bias: Recognize that some students may be more likely to leave reviews than others. Students who had a particularly positive or negative experience may be more motivated to share their feedback.
Cross-Reference with Other Sources: Supplement Rate My Professor with other sources of information, such as course syllabi, departmental websites, and advice from other students.

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