Alan McRae - Washington and Lee University

Professor: Alan McRae

Department: TBD

College: Washington and Lee University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH221
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Had him for multivariable. He was so great. If you did the homework, you basically knew the test. He was so nice and so affirming but he would also know if you didn't go to class so you should still go. He's awesome. One of the best professors in the department.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easiest math class I've ever taken. Fell asleep in lectures several times because they're disengaging, but he's somewhat funny and always shows a video. Also, homework is worth 40% of your final grade, there's extra credit for neatness on homework and tests (print everything!) and all homework is group homework. If you read the book you'll be fine.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH221
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class only had 5 open book tests and a final worth less than each test. He really wants his students to do well in the class, and most students at this level were already motivated to learn the subject on their own. I really enjoyed his class, despite lectures being a little boring. Attendance was optional, but it helps understanding imo.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH221A
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing Professor. Really funny and chill. Take his class. Such a nice guy too and he is always available for office hours. Best math teacher I have had so far. Material is hard in the class, but he makes it not that hard with teaching style and help

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH221
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy grader... Even if you mess up an entire 35 point question, he will probably only take off 2 points. Tests are exactly like homework. Shows videos everyday and has the driest sense of humor but frequently makes jokes. Love the guy

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CAL101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is the best!!!!!! I love him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CAL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

McRae is the best! I would take his class again and again if I could! Homework is hard, but if you do the homework you will be very prepared for the tests. Cracks jokes in class and makes it interesting to learn. Loved the class!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

McRae is the best. He's super casually hilarious so always listen to what he is saying. I'm not a huge math person but he was always very helpful in office hours. The test questions are literally taken right off of the homework, so if you do the homework, you're pretty good to go.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

McRae is the man. A god among a fallow land of math professors. He honestly made me consider majoring in math. He is hilarious and goofy. Homework was kinda hard. GO TO OFFICE HOURS: so helpful and you will get so much more out of the class and him if you do. Also, all the test problems come from hmwk. Great professor. McRae is love. McRae is life.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CALC
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

McRae is a good guy. If you go to his office hours he'll a) give you great help for tests and b) talk about his farmpigs for however long you want to do so. There are only FOUR tests worth 25% each (no midterm or final), so make sure you don't bomb the first one and have to play catch up all term. This is what I did, and I just barely got a B.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

McRae is awesome. He is such an easy grader and gives lots of partial and extra credit. He teaches very slowly, so sometimes the class gets boring, but it makes it easy to follow. The test problems come straight from the homework, so it is easy to do well. He is also very laid back and helpful in office hours. I would definitely recommend him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CALC2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

McRae is the man.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you haven't taken Calc. in over a year don't take this class because you need to remember the basics. However, it is very straighforward. Your only graded on tests, and all of the problems come straight from the HW so there are no surprises. McCrae is also a great quirky guy and very helpful in office hours.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

McRae is crystal clear and a genius. He relates the mathematical material with its history and philosophical concepts which helps in the understanding of the subject. His tests are based on homework and he gives lots of partial credit-easy.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CAL101
• 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:

So sweet and really wants you to do well. great at explaining

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CALC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is hilarious! Gives lots of extra points on tests for partial credit or neatness. Also gives opportunities to get extra points during class. Could not have asked for a better teacher for calc

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class was a mixed bag. He looks for reasons to dock points. Doesn't care if the student understands the concept or gets the answer right if they don't execute the problem just so. Leaves rude comments on tests. I learned more from the text book than from the lectures. But he gives points for neatness. And he's pretty funny. Go to office hours.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A rare sort of professor who can even interest someone who hates calculus! He is really funny and loves the subject, and even though the class is based only on 6 tests, he gives generous partial credit and "neatness points" for neat handwriting. Overall, the subject is rough but the professor is great

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CALC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I love McRae! He is adorable (in the old man sort of way), makes witty comments, and keeps you engaged during class. He is very clear and willing to explain things that you don't understand. If you need extra help he is available during office hours. Although your grade is based completely on six tests, he gives a lot of partial credit.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He knows what he is talking about. He has a funny sense of humor which i found hilarious. The subject was hard he did the best he did to explain things. Overall good experience and would take another class with him