Sam John is a Finance professor at Northeastern University rated 1.4/5 by 10 students, with 4.2/5 difficulty (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Sam John professor reviews and ratings: 1.4/5 from 10 student reviews at Northeastern. TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Took an online class. Makes you read a chapter and expect you to know what you are doing. No lectures, no explanations. When students asked for extra help to jump on zoom he replied with he was too busy.FIN101 2023-12-14 14:53:24 +0000 UTC
Simply reads from the slides in class. When he explains a concept, he explains poorly, if at all. Calls on students who aren't paying attention. Gives quizzes in every class, sometimes on material that was not covered in any class, often confusing it for the next week. Also, questions on his quizzes are extremely vague. Be prepared to not do well.FIN4560 2015-11-23 18:33:03 +0000 UTC
unprepared for class. reads from textbook. ineffective teaching. confusing, poorly worded test questions.INTFIN 2008-05-01 12:11:46 +0000 UTC
Limited time allowed to answer too many essays questions & few major complex financial problem cases during exams. No consideration as to the differences of students (such as kept on calling a mute student to answer questions and reading out loud during class). Lack of personal skills and flexibilities.FI4322 2006-06-11 18:44:42 +0000 UTC
RUDE, INCOMPETENT, HORRIBLE GRADER. The worst teacher I ever had PERIOD. Between 2 of his classes in one semester I studied my a$$ of and still did not do well. He has no clue about the subject he teaches. All he does in class is read slides and quiz. Never able to answer any questions. Because of thatI had to study by myself and do his quizzesFIN101 2008-01-27 19:53:24 +0000 UTC
Reads from the slides / textbook. Explains nothing, then calls on students who don't have their hands up. Quiz in every class - classes that are geared towards working adults. The questions on his quizzes are confusing - it's unclear what kind of answers he is looking for. Terrible. Can't believe I'm paying for this.FIN4560 2015-10-28 19:20:02 +0000 UTC
Very vague: For example, "Managers of subsidiaries live in their own world". That's basically all he can say about agency problem. Incompetent: he couldn't explain why put option premiums are usually lower than call option premiums. Reads from the book a lot. Verdict: Incompetent and Unprofessional. Also Impolite and Politically incorrect.INTFIN 2008-02-23 22:28:20 +0000 UTC
No CommentsFI4322 2006-05-28 10:44:46 +0000 UTC
Horrible teacher and I hope he is gone. Low competence in Finance subject,unrealistic tests, rude to students.FIN101 2007-12-15 22:03:54 +0000 UTC
Extremely hard class and Prof. John didn't make it any easier for us. Bi-weekly in-class quizzes, complicated homework assignments, unrealistic midterm and final exam, and not flexible at all. Just be prepared!FIN4560 2013-12-11 09:54:09 +0000 UTC
Sam John has an average rating of 1.4/5 from 10 student reviews.
Sam John's classes have a difficulty rating of 4.2/5 based on student reviews.
Data updated July 2026.