Thomas Rustici - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Professor: Thomas Rustici

Department: Economics

College: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Rustici's Econ classes are the most challenging, but they have been my favorite. Read the material, go to all the lectures, and visit office hours if you don't understand. Also, go over tests, each exam builds on the one before; if you don't fix the mistake, you'll keep making it. Also, do not miss an opportunity for extra credit on exams!!!!!!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Econ 103 with Rustici is a challenge. Some of the exams are challenging and the tests are only part of the grade. There are also a lot of textbooks to read. Make sure to study a lot. However, Rustici does give funny lectures and he is willing to help the challenging material at his office hours.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great professor in my eyes, notoriously-hard exams but phenomenal lecturer and very respected in the economics field. You can slide without buying any of the four textbooks. If you're in the honors college go to the recitation - it REALLY helps. Study his previous exams if you want to pass (although I do not know how much longer this will work).

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you don't mind basing your entire grade for the class on four exams then go ahead and take him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This class is way too difficult for a 100 level course. I find it troubling that he makes it so difficult, considering that most students in this class aren't econ majors. The only grades for the entire semester are the four exams he gives. Don't choose him for this class unless you want to regret your decision and hate your life.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Would NOT recommend! Test are extremely difficult with no curves!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I have never taken an econ class, and this class IS THE BASIC ECON CLASS. HARDEST class I have EVER taken. He is hard to access outside of class, NEVER checks emails, speaks like he is in a TED TALK, hard to understand, DOESN'T CURVE the exams, grades ONLY based from exams, & worse part is he forces you to print all your notes just to meet with him

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECO103
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Thomas Rustici is an insanely hard grader. Only 4 exams, which are the only grades. He claims he cares about his students success, but his class averages for his last two exams have been low 60s. He then proceeeds to tell the class that if they failed that they dont care. If youre going to take his course, be prepared to take word for word notes

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Class is mandatory if you want to pass, alot of reading textbooks. The test are the hardest I've ever had.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Only 4 exams. Only grades

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON309
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Second time taking Dr. Rustici--this time for upper level. Very different from his intro courses, but difficulty is still the word for this class. Really engaging lectures; five textbooks were assigned. Read what he gives you and show up to every class--attendance isn't mandatory if you don't mind failing. Two tests, two papers and optional EC.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECO103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is an 'old-school' professor. He really cares about his students and wants them to do well, but he's not going to lower the bar to get them there. It's a traditional lecture based course. He answers questions in class and is eager to help you if you go see him during office hours. The tests are frustratingly difficult and are 100% of the grade.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great lectures, hard tests. I highly recommend forming a study group, doing the readings, and ALWAYS answering the extra credit questions on his exams to pass his class. Attendance is not taken, but you should show up because his exams are mostly based off the lecture notes. The 3rd exam is the most important (that's how I barely managed to pass).

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I honestly don't recommend taking him if economics is not your strong suit. I thought I would enjoy the class, and looked forward to learning a lot, but he makes this intro level course EXCESSIVELY DIFFICULT. I've never felt so hopeless in a class until I took him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Honestly just listen to the reviews and don't take him. I really loved economics going into this class but it was so hard and really spoiled the subject for me. Rustici is extremely smart and intelligent but the exams are more on his level of knowledge than the introductory material. Best advice? Take a different professor and save your GPA.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECO103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

TERRIBLE! His exams are ridiculously difficult. Worst class ever comparing to my other 300-level classes. Most of the time you will have to retake this course. So take it with a different professor and not this professor if you do not wish to fail. JUST DONT!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I've earned 100 some credits at 3 different schools and can say that he is hands down my least favorite teacher I've ever had. First credit where it's due, his lectures are interesting, this is however the only positive thing I can say. No blackboard, no revision materials, excessively difficult tests for a 100 level, miss class once you're done.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I came into this class expecting it to be a really simple but boring class. I was mistaken. However, this was by far one of my favorite teachers. His classes are 2.5-3 hours long, get ready for a long lecture. Fortunately he makes his classes really enjoyable. I will say that most of the readings you can skip over but, don't skip the EC readings.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON103104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Took 103 with him & struggled immensely. After going to office hours he was very helpful. IF YOU ARE FAILING GO MEET WITH HIM. He will provide a plan of action & a variety of resources to assist you. He was immediately able to point out the common patterns that I preformed poorly on & made sure I corrected them. Now I'm taking 104 & I'm doing fine

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECO103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Most difficult professor I've ever taken. This is the only class I struggle so far. Exams are EXTREMELY HARD for a 100 level course. I took every single note, READ AND STUDY but still did not do so well on his exams. His expectations are very high. I DO NOT recommend you to take him (unless you are very into economics and find it interesting)