Getting the Right Classes

Hey, I'm Justin, here with some tips that I find make the MBA lifestyle a bit simpler when picking classes, in the style of Jordan's post below...

Picking your classes: this is probably the last thing you're thinking about since the year just started, but I have my reasons for writing this now. The right classes can mean the difference between an A and a B or a good experience over a terrible one. It's critical that you know which classes to take and how to determine this.

a) RateMyProfessors.com - This website will give you a good overview of the professors at Pepperdine. I've found the reviews to be quite accurate so far, and the site has definitely helped me pick the good professors (and avoid the scary ones); however, don't rely completely on these, as they're often outdated or missing some info.

b) Check the Syllabi - When it's time to register for classes, you can visit the "Syllabi" section in "Academic Resources" when you log into Pepperdine. But you've probably figured that out by now. What I suggest is looking at classes and saving the syllabi now. Why now? Come next year, the syllabi from this Fall (and possibly even Spring) will be gone... so you may not find a syllabus for a class that you're interested in taking. And most of the time, professors use the same syllabus from year to year. So if you save the syllabi right now for second-year classes, you can refer back to them when registering for classes in the future, and pick the ones that suit your style.

c) Don't Be Afraid If You Don't Get In Immediately - First, and probably most important, register for classes at the exact minute when registration opens. Classes fill extremely quickly. But don't worry if the class you want is full--waitlist classes. If the waitlist is relatively short (3 or less people), there's a great chance you'll get in. In fact, every class I've been to has allowed the waitlisters in (feel free to object if you've seen otherwise). I actually went to a class that was closed because the waitlist was full. I went to the class this session and still got in!

d) Utilize Second Year Students - We're uber friendly, for the most part. We'll tell you which professors are mean, difficult, fun, ping pong champs, single, etc. You name them, we know them. Word gets around Pepperdine, and the professors to take are known by the second years. We can also provide valuable info about grading, tests, homework, projects, and more... don't be afraid to ask us.

I can't stress these enough! Classes are everything--they're the professors you'll remember for a lifetime, they make up your grades... it's what you're here for. Great classes = great program. Pick them carefully and quickly, and you'll have an advantage over others.

Good luck!

Justin
justin.malik@pepperdine.edu
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