Yolanda Cruz - Oberlin College

Professor: Yolanda Cruz

Department: TBD

College: Oberlin College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lots of information in the lectures... Very rich lecture content but not always on the exams. Require lots of work outside of the class, but she has lots of office hours that you can go and ask her questions!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Cruz is a god send. I'm really not a biology person but she made it worth it for me to get that QFR out of the way. She's very blunt, straight forward, but also very helpful and reasonable. She'll make you work for your grade but you'll get the most out of the class when you take it with her.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She "converted" me into majoring biology. You have to spend a decent amount of time outside of class to review for each lecture. She motivates you to learn since you have to know the stuff cold to get a good grade. Very responsible, she spends about 9 hours to prep each lecture. Approachable and caring, had some great time during office hours.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• 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:

Super engaging and will challenge you. Good class to have first thing in the morning. You should really utilize her office hours, even if it's not for class. You'll need to study A LOT. Her class would probably be quite difficult without a strong background and interest in life sciences.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FYSP199
• 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:

Professor Cruz is an intelligent and fair teacher. Her seminar class can be difficult, with lots of readings and high grading standards for papers, but it's also very interesting. I'm afraid of biology but I felt that the way she approached biotechnology in the Designer Babies seminar made it very accessible and not daunting.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cruz is amazing. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Tests are really hard, but her handouts help a lot and she has lots of office hours.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cruz is awesome and informative, but tests are HARD and make up all of your grade in the class. Expect to spend at least 3hrs a week reviewing the lectures. Even though she gives summaries of each lecture, coming to class is a must. She's willing and able to help, and arguably has the some of the most extensive office hours on campus.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was in her Bio 100 Lecture class. She communicated information well, and she was very accessible for help. However, even though I did very well in the class, I still felt often that she was somewhat condescending when I would ask questions. Perhaps my experience would be different in an upper level class. As a lecturer, she is very effective.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FYSP199
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Yolanda is an amazing explainer. As this was a first year seminar, she didn't teach us that much herself, relying more on class discussion, but when she did explain something she did so in a very engaging way and made sure you really understand. Also, great outside of class. Watch out though, she assigns A LOT of reading.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Yolanda Cruz gives me LIFE. She is very demanding and has high expectations but I learned so much from her class. Her office hours are extremely informative but initially intimidating (worth it though). You MUST take a class with her before you leave Oberlin. Be prepared to work your ass off and seek help from the beginning of the semester.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing professor and best biology class at Oberlin

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Yolanda is amazing. Bio 100 was incredibly difficult, but also fascinating. Her lectures are difficult and sometimes confusing but if you go to her office hours it'll make sense.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Yolanda Cruz has so much enthusiasm and excitement. I truly enjoy class with her. She could make any topic interesting. She is a queen.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Excellent professor. Quite demanding, but her class was well worth the effort.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

SHE IS THE GREATEST EVER. Seriously. Her class is very difficult. Tests are hard. But she does SO MUCH to help. Tons of office hours, emails, practice qs, handouts, etc etc. Please take her class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors at Oberlin. Take a class with her regardless of your major. It's an experience to be had for sure, you will learn a lot, but it's definitely not a walk in the park. Prepares lectures weeks in advance, putting dozens of hours of work into each one, and she expects you to spend just as much time learning the material.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing Professor! She needs a raise! Hardworking, receptive, understanding and clear. Obviously she was born to TEACH! Best Professor in the Bio department

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Such a good teacher! Her lectures were interesting and easy to understand. She doesn't expect you to teach yourself from the book, and if you have any questions office hours are extremely helpful! I am definitely taking another class with her!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

awesome

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely helpful, always willing to take time outside of class. Has a keen sense of fashion as well, if you get on the topic.