Which profs generally have the most time?

[InquisitiveOne]

<p>So there are emeritus professors, full professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and postdocs.</p>

<p>Which of them generally has the most time for explaining things to students? Some professors pretty much tell you what you should do for the next meeting, but then leave you to figure things out on your own. Other professors are willing to explain things to you if you don't understand them (some of them more impatient than others). For the record, I've only interacted with assistant profs and postdocs.</p>

<p>I know that variation <em>between</em> professors in an individual category is generally much higher than variation between professors of different categories, but it's still desirable to have the most pertinent information available before choosing a professor (and standing is one of those pieces of information).</p>

[squarehead]

<p>There is almost no correlation between the rank of a prof and whether he or she has time to engage students. It depends much more on the prof's personality and the focus of their work (teaching or research).</p>

[pierre0913]

<p>I don't think it matters. It depends like squarehead said on their research and how much time that says and whether he/she really cares about the students that the professor teaches.</p>

[Pro28]

<p>Probably emeritus since they are retired?</p>

[thrill3rnit3]

<p>Well, "emeritus professors" will have a lot of time but are probably not on campus to explain things- "emeritus" means "retired"!</p>

<p>My experience is that it pretty much depends on the individual far more than the rank. </p>

<p>:)</p>

[college_ruled]

<p>Adjuncts may not even have an office... so it's hard to meet with them during office hours. </p>

<p>In "theory" the college professors who are working the hardest (and, perhaps, the most willing to help you) are the ones trying to get tenure. </p>

<p>Is ratemyprofessors.com active for your school? I've found the site helpful before. Also ask friends and upperclassmen for suggestions.</p>

[lemone]

<p>Retired profs</p>