3.6

Cecilia Ricci

Finance - Montclair State University

3.6
Quality
3.6
Difficulty
73%
Would Retake
92
Reviews
3.6
Quality
3.6
Difficulty
3.4
Helpful
3.8
Clarity

73%

Would Retake

92

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

50

4

5

3

11

2

9

1

17

What Students Say

She is so disrespectful to students

FIN321 - 2.0 rating

if you have the opportunity or you will regret it

FINC32101 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

24%

Textbook Required

70%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 26 grades
Most common grades:
B (7)
C (5)
A (4)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(10)C(6)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(5)
Based on 31 reported grades
B: 7
C: 5
A: 4
B+: 4
Common Tags
Tough grader (13)
Accessible outside class (10)
Lots of homework (6)
Clear grading criteria (5)
Tough Grader (4)
Amazing lectures (4)
Gives good feedback (3)
Respected (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.31 avg change
Jul
Nov
Dec
Feb
Jun
Aug
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

FIN326

5.0

(1)

FINC101

5.0

(1)

INVESTING

5.0

(1)

FINC501

5.0

(2)

FINCSEM

5.0

(1)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

FINCSEM

5.0

FINC505

5.0

FINC32101

5.0

FIN321

4.3

300

4.0

Reviews (92)
5.0
3.0
FINC326
May 29, 2003

No Comments

5.0
2.0
FINANCE
Oct 9, 2003

No Comments

5.0
2.0
FINC326
Oct 23, 2003

Great teacher...Very fair...learned alot.

1.0
5.0
FINC326
Nov 6, 2003

No Comments

5.0
3.0
FINC326
Nov 7, 2003

Great teacher.....one of the best ones I've had in my years in Montclair...learned alot and very fair.

3.0
2.0
FINANCE
Mar 7, 2004

She is a ok "teacher"! Somewhat arrogant. Not the type of professor you want on your bad side. Otherwise, easy. Although she doesnt make you think alot.

5.0
1.0
FINC
Apr 6, 2004

Very easy, after the lecture, she gives you classwork, The homework is the same as the classwork, the exam is the same as the homework. Just the numbers change. She is an expert stock analyst. Drives a PORCHE, that TYCO bought her.

5.0
2.0
FINANCE
Apr 16, 2004

Great teacher. Knows what she's talking about and teaches it so that students understand. Very approachable and nice

5.0
3.0
FINC326
Apr 27, 2004

she's fairly strict but nice nonetheless. She usually gives a chance for extra credit and she's approachable

3.0
4.0
FINC326
Aug 31, 2004

She lives and breaths investing! Arrogant is the surface. Nice lady outside of class, but in class she is TOUGH. No extra credit opportunities and paper was a mystery as to grading. Still don't know what she wanted!!

3.0
4.0
FINC326
Dec 6, 2004

she is horrible. arrogant, self centered, annoying, ethically challenged, and much more. She has absolutely no care for you as human but will always brag about her porsche. She makes everything seem like skill when she is actually lucky. The one good thing, she does know her stuff.

5.0
1.0
FIN326
Jan 11, 2005

GREAT PROF. who knows her stuff. Excellent stock analyst. Easy stuff just study and you'll do fine. HIGHLY RECOMENDED

5.0
3.0
FINC101
Mar 29, 2005

Excellent teacher

2.0
5.0
FINC
Apr 14, 2005

No Comments

5.0
2.0
FINC321
Apr 15, 2005

The best professor I ever had!!You'll learn a lot, she is very clear. Almost an easy A, just do your homework. Heard she is very hard for the Seminar class, but for Finc 321 she is probably the BEST you could have!!Very recommended.

1.0
3.0
FIN321
Aug 13, 2005

Cecilia Riccineeds to learn basic finance before teaching, the Porsche talk is all diverting the students attention from her incompetence. All she does in class is PR talk, if you want to learn finance don't take her.

4.0
2.0
FINC
Sep 1, 2005

She is very smart in what she teaches, its basically a breakdown of her investment strategies. She is quite easy if you volunteer and read the WSJ everyday. Study and rewrite her notes. If you get lower than a C in this class you are a very lazy person.

1.0
3.0
FINANCE
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Sep 13, 2005

Cecilia Ricci is the worst professor at MSU, I wonder who hired her and how she got to teach finance

5.0
2.0
INVESTING
Oct 26, 2005

No Comments

1.0
1.0
INVESTMENT
Nov 8, 2005

The worst!!!!

1.0
5.0
FINC490
Nov 9, 2005

She is a ****, have her favorites, dont care how hard you try, she will give u what she want to give u.

5.0
3.0
FINC501
Dec 20, 2005

Excellent professor - very clear and to the point. She's very nice and understanding, easy greader. I hate Finance, but really enjoyed this class!

2.0
5.0
FINC490
May 3, 2006

She is the most unpleasant teacher any student can have. She has her favorites in the class, doesn't care to help students but instead waiting for you to make a mistake to haunt you for it, if you have an option DO NOT TAKE THIS WOMAN AS A PROFESSOR!

3.0
2.0
FINC490
May 17, 2006

She is a good professor. Very clear on what she wants you to do when it comes to the class work. Easy test - you know what will be on it to the last question. No final!!! Paper is not that hard - just don't try to cheat (no PLAGIARISM) and you will do fine.

1.0
1.0
FINC490
Oct 4, 2006

She is the top scorer for mediocrity. She has found all the answers to finance. She kills any discussion right off the bat in a class that is supossed to be about discussing and arguing different points of view. Her favorite saying "there is no way" things will happen followed by no explanation whatsoever. Is she easy? Of course if you are a puppet

1.0
4.0
FINC490
Oct 4, 2006

Stay away from this teacher unless you can kiss some serious a***. She is not trying to teach you anything but she is definitely enjoying catching you in mistakes. If you have no mistakes she will make them up with a smirk on her face. I felt she was teaching the wrong things because she contradicted with many proved acct. and finance practices.

3.0
4.0
FINC490
Apr 10, 2007

Has a bit of an attidude, doesn't answer questions she feels are obvious. Does make sure everyone knows what to do. One exam, covered in depth prior to and a research paper along with presentation. Not as bad as everyone before said.

2.0
4.0
FINC490
Jun 1, 2007

No Comments

5.0
5.0
FINCSEM
Oct 6, 2007

Excellent! Really knows her stuff. Very helpful. Great teacher!

3.0
3.0
FIN556
Jan 5, 2008

Waste of time and money. Her behavior sometimes deviates from normal. However, she does a thorough job of explaining stock and company valuations and some ratios. I agree with the previous review - she is stuck-up. If you don't have to take the class then don't.

3.0
4.0
FINC556
Jan 9, 2008

She is out of this world! Extremely arrogant. She rearranges desks for 15 minutes before exams and makes you show her your hands, rip off labels from your bottle of water etc. Moreover, she will interrupt you during a group presentation and ask extremely detail questions until she proves you don't know****. Then she's happy. Stay away!!!!

5.0
5.0
FINC556
Jan 15, 2008

greatest ever - really knows her stuff!

1.0
5.0
FIN490
Apr 30, 2008

Who said that professor is great is absolutely wrong. I am an A student and I never had problem with a teacher. She is arrogant, rude, insulting students and she is so absurd, and you have to do it as she does it. There are students they got 0 to her paper or presentation.You should really avoid her, plus it's a loss a money and you don't learn

5.0
4.0
FINC490
May 6, 2008

Absolutely wonderful! Very understanding, willing to spend time with students, very easy to talk to, and knows investing inside and out. Even though I got a bad grade, she was terrific!

3.0
5.0
FINC505
Jul 9, 2008

No Comments

5.0
5.0
FINC490
Nov 3, 2008

FABULOUS!

5.0
5.0
FINC490
May 26, 2009

Very understanding, willing to spend time with students, very knowledgeable.

5.0
4.0
FINC490
Nov 16, 2009

the BEST...i talked to many people and finally had to take this prof. AND IT WAS THE BEST CLASS I TOOK AT MSU and also learned the most

5.0
2.0
FINC490
Apr 19, 2010

WONDERFUL! Take her for Seminar in Finance!! She is very straight forward. Her lectures are clear and precise. Everything is in the survival handbook (a printout she will give you). One test only 10% of final grade, study and you will do great. 30 minute presentation and 23 page paper are 40% of grade. Don't be scared, she is good. Take her!!

3.0
2.0
FINC490
Apr 28, 2010

Class is very easy if you FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. It is a joke. For a few classes she sits on her computer while she makes you do in class hw like you are in high school. You get out early all the time. All the topics in the syllabus are for show. Its a very basic course. And she is definitely biased.

5.0
1.0
FINC490
May 2, 2010

Took her for 326, and 490. Best teacher I've ever had. She makes the classes easy to understand. If you can take her for any class.

5.0
5.0
FINC490
May 5, 2010

Best ever! Very clear, precise, you know what she expects.

5.0
5.0
FINC490
Jun 23, 2010

She's fabulous! She cares about her students, and is very helpful. I never thought finance could be so clear!

5.0
5.0
FINC326
Jun 23, 2010

Took her for several courses, and she's great! She knows what she's talking about in Investments, and gives real world examples.

5.0
3.0
FINC490
Nov 15, 2010

Excellent teacher. Will answer any questions you ask, very clear and willing to help.

5.0
3.0
FINC490
Dec 24, 2010

Very caring, and professional. She wants you to do well. Really knows what she's talking about. I'm graduating and I learned more in her class than I did in all the other classes put together!

5.0
5.0
FINC490
Apr 1, 2011

Took her last semester and again this semester. Knows her stuff, keeps classes interesting. Tells you she'll return an e-mail within a day, and does. Very caring. Excellent teacher.

5.0
4.0
FINC490
May 15, 2012

The business department would be a joke with out her! She is the greatest. Just follow instructions like you are in the army and you will be safe! You will learn a lot from her and could get an A if you put efforts

5.0
5.0
FINC321
Jul 12, 2012

Fabulous! Knows her stuff. Very caring. Returns e-mails within 24 hours. No such thing as a stupid question. Best finance teacher ever!

5.0
3.0
FINC326
Dec 27, 2012

Excellent Professor! Makes Finance fun. She's always there to help you. Strict and fair. Best Finance professor.

3.0
2.0
FINC326
Jan 4, 2013

Easy professor. Yet very rude and strict. Not the easiest professor to talk to.

5.0
4.0
FINC326
Jan 10, 2013

Kind of sad reading these comments. Usually come from people wasting their parents money. If you're a hard worker and want to be prepared for the REAL world, Dr Ricci is the best. She's not your friend so stop with the "she's rude" comments. She's FIRM. And the real world is BEYOND FIRM. It's CUTTHROAT. Best class I took as a finance major.

5.0
4.0
FINC49001
May 12, 2013

Very caring. Responds to e-mails within 24 hours - most professors don't respond at all! She wants you to do well and is very helpful

5.0
1.0
FINC490
May 20, 2013

Best Finance Professor in Montclair. Easy test, explains everything very clearly. MUST READ THE SURVIVAL HAND BOOK OR YOU WILL FAIL!!! Trust her on that..

2.0
4.0
FINC49002
Dec 12, 2013

SHE DOESN'T PREPARE YOU TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD, SHE TEACHES YOU JUST THE VERY BASIC STUFF, I WOULDN'T COUNT ON HER FOR MY FUTURE CAREER. SHES SO STRICT AND RUDE, NOT HELPFUL AT ALL AND NO MERCY

5.0
5.0
FINC49001
Grade: A
Jun 19, 2014

Fabulous! Learned more in her class in one semester than all the other finance profs put together. Returns e-mails. Cares about you. Clearly wants everyone to do well.

5.0
3.0
FINC49001
Grade: C
Nov 13, 2014

Fabulous! Very helpful. Responds to e-mails. Wants to help you pass her class.

2.0
4.0
FINC321
Grade: C
Jun 5, 2015

She's a very uptight professor, was not a fan of her at all. Very simple way of lecturing through slides and gives hw with midterm and final. By uptight I mean she gives no exceptions, for example if you accidentally print out your hw and bring it to class and not submiting it online, it's a 0

2.0
4.0
300
Grade: B-
Jun 17, 2015

Professor is so rude. She talks to you like you are little kids. Tests are hard, and she is not very helpful at all. Doesn't give feedback at all on homework's. I would not recommend her for Finance. 2 exams, make sure you study a lot.

1.0
5.0
FINC321
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 17, 2015

She has NO MERCY what so ever. Very tough grader. Gets mad when you ask questions. Don't you dare ask question while she is teaching cause she will tell you to shut up and wait after class.

2.0
5.0
FINC32101
Grade: Rather not say
Sep 8, 2015

I took this class in the Spring of 2015, as a senior it was my last class and I had to retake it in the summer 2015 due to the lack of assistant from Cecilia Ricci, I strongly recommend taking another finance prof. if you have the opportunity or you will regret it. I have never encounter with such an inconsiderate and disrespectful person.

2.0
5.0
FIN321
Grade: C
Feb 11, 2016

She is so disrespectful to students. Literally talks to you like you are little kids with her yelling. She is not helpful on exams, doesn't give feedback on homework either. 2 exams, which are relatively hard. I wouldn't suggest taking her to finance. Wouldn't recommend her.

1.0
3.0
FINC556
Grade: Rather not say
Sep 15, 2017
Wouldn't take again

This teacher is extremely rude and yells at you every chance she gets. Please see her directions on one of the hw assignments "IF YOU DO NOT USE THE REQUIRED FORMAT, YOU WILL EARN A ZERO ON THIS HOMEWORK. Your opinion on this policy or its enforcement is irrelevant." She could care less about the students and makes it clearly apparent.

5.0
4.0
FIN556
Grade: B
Nov 16, 2017
Would take again

She is an excellent teacher as long as you follow her rules. She doesn't give much leeway, but neither does a job in the real world. She is truly interested in helping students understand what she's teaching. She's not easy, but she is fair. She answers e-mail in 24 hours, and she's easy to talk to.

Tough Grader
Gives good feedback
Amazing lectures
5.0
5.0
FIN490
Grade: B
Feb 26, 2018
Would take again

Tough but fair. She has strict rules, but she also wants students to do well in her course. She treats us like adults. I've learned more in this class than I learned in all my other finance classes put together.

Tough Grader
Respected
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
5.0
4.0
FINC501
Grade: B
Mar 27, 2018
Would take again

Tries to make everything clear. Previous finance classes did not prepare me for her class - a lot ore work and effort. She has both in class work and homework, which help you to understand the material. She is willing to spend time with you if you are willing to spend time trying to learn the material. Her 24 hour e-mail response is great!

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
5.0
4.0
FINC490
Grade: B+
May 2, 2018
Would take again

Terrific! Really cares about students, and will spend 2 hours talking with you in her office, even about non-class things. Very sympathetic and understanding. Best teacher I've had at Montclair.!

Tough Grader
Respected
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
4.0
4.0
FINC490
May 1, 2019
Would take again

Class is doable. She will give a lecture, homework, "research project", then a quiz. All on the same exact material. She wants you to learn and it's definitely possible to get an A. shes very specific on how you submit work. If 1 thing is off she will give you a zero. So just follow her format and you'll be fine. Great teacher for hard class

Lots of homework
Amazing lectures
1.0
5.0
FIN321
Grade: A
Oct 1, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Stay away from her she is very rude to students. On homework if you make on slight mistake she will give you 0. Avoid taking her. She do not show you how she got the answer, she just put them up and say "see if you get the same answers."

Lots of homework
Skip class? You won't pass.
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
FIN490
Grade: B
Dec 28, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Hard to describe without being rude. She's the better of the only two options, so that should say enough. There were five quizzes, no tests. The lectures definitely help, but not mandatory.

4.0
4.0
FINC490
Feb 11, 2020
Would take again

She is very rude and will sometimes scream on the top of her lungs "shut up" to the class when she can't hear someone. She is also the pickiest grader i've ever met. You can do the entire homework right with every step and formula correct, but if not done in HER OWN SPECIFIC format, its wrong. But... you will learn if you put in the effort.

Tough grader
5.0
5.0
FIN490
Apr 16, 2020
Would take again

You will work your butt off, but you'll also learn a lot. She's tough and the class is hard (probably why people hate her), but if you do the work, you'll ace the course. She responds to e-mails really fast, and is there for her office hours always. She cares about her students.

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
FINC490
Grade: B-
Jul 16, 2020
Would take again

She's tough but fair. The work is really hard some times, but she tries to help if you don't understand. You really have to go to class if you want to understand everything. She's always asking if you have questions. Her grading policy add 10 percent to your highest grade, which helped my grade some, though not a lot. She answers e-mail fast.

Accessible outside class
Amazing lectures
Tough grader
5.0
5.0
FINC490
Grade: C-
Dec 29, 2020
Would take again

Tries to make sure you understand everything, even to the point of going over the whole thing (shorting) again. Responds to e-mail really fast, which is very different - most teachers don't respond at all. Best teacher I've had at montclair.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
5.0
4.0
FINC490
Grade: B
May 28, 2021
Would take again

She's very tough, but she wants you to succeed in her class. It's lots of work, but most people got A. She answers e-mail in 24 hours or less, which is different from every other prof I've had. If you don't get something, she'll go over it again and again. She seems scary, and she's hard (quizzes, posts, research project), but she's the best!!

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
Tough grader
5.0
4.0
FIN490
Grade: C
Aug 4, 2021
Would take again

It's a tough class, but you learn a lot. She returns e-mails quickly, unlike some teachers who don't respond at all. She's pretty understanding, but grades really tough.

Respected
Accessible outside class
Tough grader
4.0
4.0
FIN490
Grade: B+
Dec 9, 2021
Would take again

Lol you can tell who actually tries in her classes by these reviews. Shes a tough grader and really strict but as long as you follow her directions and formatting youll be fine

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
FINC490
Grade: B
Feb 28, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Worst professor at Montclair. Recent reviews all have the same format and all say the same thing about her "responding to emails within 24 hours" not true, figured she wrote them all. She only reads off of the slides, and does not show you how to actually do the work. I cannot stress this enough, do not take her class.

Lecture heavy
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
FIN490
Grade: A
Apr 14, 2022
Would take again

She may be a bit abrasive and rude, but the way she teaches is straight forward. If you follow the steps in her PowerPoints then there is no reason to not earn at least a B+ in her class. She responds to emails within 24 hours and most of the time it is less than 24 hours. She does grade harshly so be thorough in your homework and project.

Tough grader
EXTRA CREDIT
5.0
4.0
FIN490
Grade: C
May 14, 2022
Would take again

She's tough, but wants you to do well. Very intimidating but will help you. Grading is tough. She cares, and whips students into shape.

Tough grader
Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
5.0
5.0
FINANCE
Grade: A
Aug 26, 2022
Would take again

Just finished M&A course with her. She responds quickly to e-mails, and keeps going back and forth until she's answered your questions. Had to miss a class due to a wedding, and she was fine with that. I think she really cares about the students and how they're doing. I will be taking her again in the fall for another grad course.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
2.0
2.0
FINC209
Grade: A+
Nov 2, 2022
Would take again

Professor R teaches an easy class with good information, but man is she lost. She seems confused every class and makes the information harder to learn. Attendance is 5% of the grade so I stopped going and just did the minimal weekly work which I found to be easier. Weekly assignment, weekly discussion post, and 3/4 quizzes all really easy.

3.0
3.0
FINC560
Grade: B+
Oct 23, 2023
Would take again

Overall, the class wasn't the worst I've ever had. Initially the class was not clearly organized for students to get a head start. Once we got past that, the class wasn't hard, listen to the lectures and the homework is based off of that. She takes a day to reply to emails. Sometimes you have to teach yourself. I appreciated the direct assignments.

Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
FINC490
Feb 15, 2024

She is very disorganized and makes mistakes which is fine but it makes the lectures very hard to follow. I just wish she would not flip through the slides so quick.

4.0
3.0
FINC490
Grade: Not sure yet
May 1, 2024
Would take again

Professor Ricci is honestly the only professor I liked this semester. She is very intimidating at first, but is very understanding and wants her students to succeed. She is tough on students, but it is intending to want them to do well in the class. If you don't pay attention and make an effort on the assignments don't expect to get a good grade.

5.0
4.0
FIN490
Grade: B+
Jul 30, 2024
Would take again

One of the best profs in the Business School. Grading is crystal clear. Is helpful one on one but intimidating in class. Wants students to do well.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Accessible outside class
1.0
5.0
FINC490
Nov 17, 2024

She is all over the place. She seems just as confused as the students are.

5.0
4.0
FIN490
Grade: A-
Nov 30, 2024
Would take again

She's scary in class. I'm afraid to say anything. But if you contact ourside of class, she responds quickly and will e-mial back and forth until you understand a problem. Tough grader, but not too hard to do well as long you keep up with the owrk.

Tough grader
Amazing lectures
Accessible outside class
5.0
4.0
FINC490
Grade: B-
Dec 19, 2024
Would take again

She's intimidating, but she does care. She's very strict about rules, but it makes it clear for all.

Tough grader
Clear grading criteria
Accessible outside class
1.0
5.0
FINC560
Feb 18, 2025

Terrible lectures and grades inconsistently. Has no idea how to use canvas platform

1.0
5.0
FINC490
Jun 12, 2025

She's very rude. She always drinks a beverage and chews gum LOUDLY while teaching. It's honestly very distracting. Teaching style is questionable and when we go over something, her answers are sometimes wrong. She's disorganized and bad at technology.

5.0
3.0
FIN490
Grade: B
Aug 5, 2025
Would take again

She scares you in the first class, but is really okay. She's happy to answer questions, and her exams are fisir.

Tough grader
Clear grading criteria
Gives good feedback
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

24%

Textbook Required

70%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 26 grades
Most common grades:
B (7)
C (5)
A (4)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(10)C(6)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(5)
Based on 31 reported grades
B: 7
C: 5
A: 4
B+: 4
Common Tags
Tough grader (13)
Accessible outside class (10)
Lots of homework (6)
Clear grading criteria (5)
Tough Grader (4)
Amazing lectures (4)
Gives good feedback (3)
Respected (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.31 avg change
Jul
Nov
Dec
Feb
Jun
Aug
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

FIN326

5.0

(1)

FINC101

5.0

(1)

INVESTING

5.0

(1)

FINC501

5.0

(2)

FINCSEM

5.0

(1)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

FINCSEM

5.0

FINC505

5.0

FINC32101

5.0

FIN321

4.3

300

4.0

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