<p>How easy is it to contact your professor and get help with your coursework? I have read that it is pretty tough to meet with your professor at JHU. Is this true?</p>
<p>Generally, it is not true. It does, however, depend somewhat on the type of class you are talking about. At research universities like Hopkins, introductory courses (also called survey courses–the type typically taken early in your college career) tend to have a large lecture given by the professor combined with a number of small section classes run by an advanced graduate student (a Teaching Assistant). In those classes, the professor typically will expect that students will first bring their coursework questions to your assigned Teaching Assistant. If the TA can’t adequately resolve the problem, then you go to see the professor. Every professor has posted office hours and most will see you at other times if you ask nicely.</p>
<p>After the introductory classes, most classes will be small and you will have much more direct access to the professor. In some departments such as languages, the classes will always be small.</p>
<p>I suspect that what you heard is that most LACs don’t have graduate students and so the introductory classes tend to be smaller than at research universities, so you will have earlier direct contact with professors at a LAC. But keep in mind that your TA at Hopkins is likely to be a professor somewhere in a year or two, so the difference is often not great. And most TAs are terrific, ging-ho, and very willing to help students who seek out help</p>
<p>Not true at all. This semester, I have met 3 of my teachers outside of class/their office hours to get some help. Just stay after class and talk to them about meeting with them at some point to to go over your questions.</p>