William Shimer is a Business Administration professor at Northeastern University rated 3.5/5 by 281 students, with 3.04/5 difficulty and 59.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
William Shimer professor reviews and ratings: 3.5/5 from 281 student reviews at Northeastern (59.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
He is such a strict grader and he doesn't make much sense half the time he lectures. Don't take this class!BUSN1101 2024-12-03 19:06:08 +0000 UTC
I took professor Shimer for American Government. Very interesting class, his main goal was to tie current events back to the weekly chapter which made for some great class discussions and debates. Weekly homework is notes on the chapter, only two oral assessments (you have to discuss the previous section with him for at least 10 minutes).POLS4102 2017-03-29 13:16:10 +0000 UTC
does not explain anything at all, but he uploads all the materials on blackboard site and expects you to read it all, all the homework submissions are done online. he does not give too much homework though. he helps with the business plans1101 2014-10-29 22:47:23 +0000 UTC
The class wasn't horrible but not required for business admin so honestly its a waste of time and money. its a lot of busy work and is all about entrepreneurship. Its an easy A as long as you do all of the work and attend class. Shimer is very nice and has a lot of experience in the business world to learn from. Don't take if its not required!!!BUSN1101 2023-09-12 01:17:58 +0000 UTC
Shimer led my American Gov class in a kind of open debate, back and forth type way. Each class someone acted as the "moderator" whod call on people. Loved that it became a class where open debate could go on and although we got off topic at times, it always led to something else that was just as fun talking about. Easy grader, little work, lenientPOLS4102 2016-11-10 14:09:41 +0000 UTC
Drop this class. It's not terrible, but NOT a requirement and doesn't teach anything of value unless you've never taken a HS business class. His grading system is very convoluted and there are many stupid assignments that add up so don't miss them. The final project is worth a lot, but he explains how to improve and get an A.BUSN1101 2023-05-01 23:30:00 +0000 UTC
Awesome teacher, randomly picks people to lead a discussion, which got the class to be involved and actually read. I looked forward to class everyday! He didn't lecture much and had discussions with the professor instead of tests! If you asked him a question he would go out of his way to help you. I would HIGHLY recommend him for any class.POLS4102 2016-04-13 06:53:46 +0000 UTC
Not a mandatory class and grading system is just terrible. He is a nice person but such an annoying grader. Very condescending and honestly just a strange guyBUSN1101 2023-04-27 18:21:38 +0000 UTC
Professor Shimer is a really smart guy. He can take an engineer who has never taken a political science course and create a well versed foundation of government/politics/law. Easy to follow/listen to. Gets students involved. One of the few classes where the professor got the students to think...POLS4102 2016-04-06 23:43:01 +0000 UTC
don't take this professor or this class. its not required for a business degree and you'll waste credits. extremely boring class and weird harsh grading system. way too much unnecessary bs for an intro to buss class.BUSN1101 2023-02-08 14:29:01 +0000 UTC
Shimer assigns a lot of homework at times but overall an easy professor. The final project is worth a lot of the grade but he tells you exactly how to fix it to be better. His class was lecturing and discussing but most of the time it was just him talking. Would take again.BUSN1101 2023-01-08 03:05:32 +0000 UTC
Grades the intro to business curriculum like it is rocket science. Comes off as nice, but a harsh grader and will def hurt your GPA. Also, this class is NOT required. If you get pre registered for it, drop it and pick up an actual useful class. I wasted credits and hurt my GPA over a class which was not even required, but was pre registered for.BUSN1101 2022-10-16 19:29:44 +0000 UTC
Weird grading system. IS NOT required for Business Admin. Either do pass fail or your GPA will go down.BUSN1101 2022-04-25 15:23:50 +0000 UTC
Professor Shimer is a great guy! If you put in the effort to raise your hand in class and speak with him outside of class, you'll see how much it means to him (and it definitely won't hurt your grade). People dislike him because he can be quiet and monotone at times, but he really cares about and respects the students that work hard!BUSN1101 2022-03-28 23:07:57 +0000 UTC
Professor Slimer was a nice guy but he didn't really teach much, the intro to business curriculum was extremely easy and basic so it wasn't stressful but I felt like he wasted my time.BUSN1101 2022-01-21 20:46:43 +0000 UTC
William Shimer has an average rating of 3.5/5 from 281 student reviews. 59.0% of students said they would take them again.
William Shimer's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.04/5 based on student reviews.
William Shimer has taught BUSN1101, ESLG0238, INPS5184, ESLG0420, GBST1011, ESLG0310, GBST1102 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.