Julia Plotts - University of Southern California

Professor: Julia Plotts

Department: TBD

College: University of Southern California

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FBE529
• 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:

The course was by far the best I have attended in my time at the USC MBA PM program and provided a skillset that I will use for the rest of my life. Plotts always kept a positive attitude, especially with covid-stress and even when she was competing with the Lakers, Dodgers, Presidential election during our Tues. night class. She made finance fun!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good at teaching, but again, as others have said, shes overrated. Only chooses who to help/connect with others based on who she likes/those who have secured brand name IB offers or are starting large businesses. Shes doing it for something - not for the best interest of students.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is a very direct person and a great teacher. This is a very useful class that will teach you how to understand financial statements, DCF analysis, comps, LBO models, and M&A. The cases will force you to "learn by doing", just make sure to get a good group. Quizzes/exams were easy. Guest speakers were awesome too. Highly recommend!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It's a great class, but she's overrated. Great reputation at Marshall, but can be very cold at times. Cold calls, picks favorites, and has an attitude. You'll learn, but overrated.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• 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:

She makes the class so much bearable over Zoom. I'm glad I took the class since she won't be teaching in the spring. The project this semester was very confusing, but the content you learn is very very useful.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• 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:

Even as an engineering student, Plotts was hands down the best professor I have ever had at USC. Her lectures practically apply frameworks to real world examples, and she always makes sure to highlight the importance of our learnings. Group projects are constructive and the exams are reasonable. Participate to get the most out of this course.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She was ok professor. Not as special as many people make her out to be. The class is very lecture heavy, the group projects are a lot of work especially for an elective business class. Beware of the amount of work. She was also not very good when everything switched online.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Plotts is awesome. She teaches you everything you need to know about valuation and the class is very practical. She is very connected and brings in a bunch of interesting guest speakers. You learn a lot from the final project.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors at USC. Come to class prepared/engaged and you won't have any issue. Professor Plotts actually cares that you understand the material and presents it in a fun way. Even if it doesn't count for your major, take the class! Make sure to pick a smart group of people for your final valuation project as well/start early!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Take her for FBE 421. She will teach you all you need to know about valuation, but will also teach you about careers and life. One of my favorite profs at USC.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Plotts is hands down the best professor I've ever had at USC. She is extremely funny and respected, her lectures are engaging and everything she teaches is real world applicable. Make sure to get to know her in office hours because she will hook you up. I was interested in esports, so she gave me several contacts from Riot to talk to.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FBE529
• 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:

She is very engaging, spontaneous and always worries about clear explanations. Really good.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Plotts is hard to approach to some students because she's a bit cold. Her tests aren't hard, the quantitative stuff is exactly like the practice problems and the multiple choice is stuff about the cases that she emphasizes in lectures, so all you have to do is listen. Classes are not mandatory but she likes the people who attend and pay attention.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best class I've taken at USC. She expects a lot from her students but is fair and accessible. Plotts is hilarious, and hosts several prominent guest speakers. She is extremely well connected, and is happy to make connections for her students. Whether you are interested in investment banking or not, you should absolutely take this class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The MOST CONNECTED professor in Marshall. Will 100% get you a job/internship if you are interested in finance, are a hard worker, and go see her during office hours. The course itself isn't anything special, but professor Plotts gets her students thinking bigger picture and about life post college. A must take course for marshall students.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• 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:

Best class i've taken at USC. If you are even remotely interested in finance and have the pre-recs, I would take 421 with Plotts.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BUAD306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

prof plotts is a very good professor and i learned a lot from her class. she's a great teacher that keeps the class engaged. however as someone who was only taking finance because its a req for my major, it was very difficult for me even after a lot of studying to get a good grade. she's a great teacher though!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BUAD306
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Plotts is the best professor at Marshall it isn't even up for debate.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Probably the most sort after class at Marshall and for good reason. Julia is one of the best professors at USC. Lectures are interesting, useful and applicable with inspirational guest speakers. Julia is also extremely accessible and a great resource for recruitment - her network is inexhaustible. Highly, highly recommend.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FBE421
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you have any interest in finance, taking Professor Plotts' class is a MUST. Not only is she one of the best lecturers at USC, but also she is a true mentor. She is willing to go the extra mile to help a student who truly desires to learn more. Her class will equip you with practical skills but also a new perspective on business.