Mike is one of the most helpful professors I have ever had. He makes you work hard for your grade, but everything you learn is really applicable to the real world. Also, he is very straightforward about what you need to know for exams, so if you study it will pay off. 10/10 recommend taking this class!!

Mike is a professor who brings real world experience into the classroom, and his teaching style builds on the academia of other Foster finance classes. He made the class interesting while also reinforcing areas of my understanding that are essential for investing both as an individual and a professional. I would highly recommend the class. 10/10

This class was great. I believe it was his first time teaching but he seemed like he had been doing it for awhile. He shared details about his career in asset management and I think it supplemented the course material. His tests were hard, but the grading was fair. He made me want to pursue an asset management career.

This class was very helpful in steering my career. He is very passionate about teaching and it is very clear that he cares about his students and their interests. I liked how he used instances from his experiences to reiterate his points, but his tests were quite difficult. Definitely take the course if it is offered.

I am not pursuing an investments related job, however, I found the whole topic more interesting after taking this class. He did a really good job of keeping the class engaged. The class had a good amount of homework compared to other classes, but I thought you took away what you put in to the class.

This class was extremely useful. Coursework is relatively heavy but worth it, you cover many different topics and Mike's knowledge of the finance industry makes the learning very applicable to the real world. Truly felt like I got educational value and career knowledge that is worth more than a grade at UW. Teacher genuinely cares, would recommend.

Mike cares about his students. He offers his personal number and I remember he was up at 10pm talking to me on the phone and helping me through questions I had on a case study. He does really well at relating the material to the real life workplace which I loved. Hes also entertaining and funny in his lectures. I would definitely recommend mike.

Mike was one of the best finance professors I have had at Foster School of Business. He genuinely cares about whether his students are doing well, and gives great real world experience. He grades harsh sometimes because he wants to make sure you actually understand the material, which I grew to appreciate. Put work into this class, it will pay off.

Mike is an exceptional lecturer and all around professor. He offers real world experience that many Foster professors lack. Additionally, he genuinely cares about whether you learn the material or not, and he offers unparalleled career advice for undergrads. This was without a doubt the most useful and practical finance class that I took at UW.

Mike is unlike any other professor I have had. He truly cares about his students and wants you to be successful. He makes you work hard for your grade, but that's because he wants you to learn. If you want to be challenged and have a professor that clearly cares about you and is passionate about what he teaches, then this is a wonderful class!

By far the best class I've taken throughout my four years at the University of Washington. Mike provides industry insight alongside valuable real work application that builds on basic finance concepts. He challenges you through well thought out assignments and projects, but the extra work is definitely worth it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

One of the best teachers I've had

Mike is by far the best professor/mentor I have had at my time at UW. He is extremely passionate about the material and cares about his students deeply. Mike treats students like adults and grades like a boss would grade an employee on an annual review. If you care about being prepared for the real world after you graduate would highly recommend.

Mike is the best professor I have had in college. He cares a tremendous amount about student learning and goes above and beyond to do so, but you still have to take initiative and seek him out; just like the real world. Mike has a phenomenal attitude and a passion for pushing his students to excel. I have never felt so prepared to enter a career.

Mike was easily one of the best professors I've had at UW. The course was very structured and clearly outlined in the syllabus. Working at Russell, his knowledge of working in the field and advices he gives are very powerful and insightful. This is a refreshing class different from other finance classes as it focuses more on real life applications.

Mike really takes a lot of time to make sure that his students truly understand the material rather than simply going through the motions of giving a lecture. The content was in depth and his course pack provided a lot of great context to the lectures and discussions.

Michael is a great guy and a great professor. His class is entirely conceptual, which is weird for a finance course but ended up being somewhat refreshing. The course builds a sound understanding of the asset management industry and is very practical -- not super challenging content but he creates a competitive atmosphere that makes you earn it.

Mike is the best professor I've had in college. He doesn't just lecture on topics without providing any real world context like most professors do; rather he is intentional in his teaching and ensures you learn the basics to make a great analyst in the asset management industry right out of college. This is what all college classes should be like!

This was the best course I've taken at Foster. Mike is an amazing teacher ! At the end of the quarter you realize how much you've learnt! The homework and readings are very intentional - they closely tie to the lecture. The guest speakers are professionals currently working in the industry. Very practical class. Would highly recommend!

Mike is an unbelievable teacher with extensive real world experience that makes the class intriguing and extremely tangible to those who want to enter into the investment finance industry. His class is well planned, well executed, and interesting every day. Be prepared to stay up-to-date on the US Equity market and the course pack readings.

Mike is a great professor and person. He really cares about his students actually learning the material. He constantly brings real world material into this class and it is really refreshing. Even if you aren't into the investment industry, I still highly recommend taking this class as this material is super applicable to life. Take this class!

Mike was the best teacher Ive had in my time at Foster. His extensive background in the asset management industry allows him to present and teach topics that are relevant in the industry, rather than the usual definition/theory based Foster classes. He genuinely cares about his students learning and their careers even if outside Asset MGMT.

Mike is an extremely passionate teacher, who truly cares about the success and learning of his students. It was so great to have a professor talk to students about what it takes to be successful in the real world, rather than just telling us some formulas to memorize. As a college senior, his career advice and guidance was truly invaluable.

Mike is one of my favorite professors at foster, if not my favorite. No other class will give you this kind of practical knowledge about the asset management industry. Fantastic class, fantastic teacher.

I have never learned so much relevant/practical info in a class. It taught me fundamental info about the asset mgmt. industry that helped me stand out during interviews. Each class was engaging and I was excited to go each day. Our assignments/readings were reasonable/practical and tests were extremely fair. Mike truly cares about student's success

Mike was the best professor I have had in Foster. I've never learned so much interesting and practical information in a class. Although this class is meant for those who want to work in asset management, I am working in corporate finance and still think that this course was extremely useful. He really cares about your learning and success.

Mike is a great guy. He really cares about each student's success, is very passionate, and is clear with expectations. If you want to break into the asset management industry, don't miss this class. If you aren't, like me, there is tremendous worth in being around Mike and getting a practical view of investing. Highly recommend.

Hands down, the best finance professor at Foster. Michael's sense of humor and passion for student learning is infectious and never fails to grab your attention. His stories help make his lessons about asset management palatable. He treats you like an adult and grades your works from the perspective of your employer. It's not easy, but doable.

This course is a MUST take if you are highly interested in finance and asset management. Course is tough but Mike will be there to help you succeed. A caring professor that wants you to transition from a college student to a professional.

If you're a finance major at UW and you haven't taken FIN490 with Mike, do it. Even if you aren't going into the AM field, the insight he gives on the markets, interest rates, what "investing" really meansit's good. As a finance major can you answer this question: what does standard deviation really mean in investing? If you can't, take the class.

You don't want to miss this class if you are majoring in Finance. Mike cares about whether his students get the insight and is passionate. He takes every single question seriously and provides very detailed and reliable answers. This class is challenging but you will do great if you put in the effort. His career insights will prepare you well!

Mike runs a tough class, no doubt about it. Significant reading and understanding is required but he is beyond knowledgeable and cares about each student. He will take the necessary time to help you keep pace and you will definitely learn something. Definitely the best finance class Ive taken at UW.

Honestly, this is one of the best, if not the best, class I have ever attended in UW. I think the biggest reason is that Michael has the gift of being able to perfectly communicate difficult concept in a way that resonates with us. Hands down, he's one of the best public speaker that Foster has.

Hands down best professor I've ever taken in college. Really knows his stuff, really cares about students learning and succeeding. Awesome resource. ATTEND classes--the lectures are the best part. Lots of reading, be prepared to get called on and present to the class each time. Makes you work for it. Very knowledgeable and helpful. Loved it!

Asset Management was my favorite finance class at UW. Lectures are engaging and filled with real world examples and guest speakers from the industry. As a senior, I am excited to take the practical knowledge and career advice Mike taught us into the real world. Definitely recommend taking this class!

Mike is definitely the best teacher I've had at UW, not only does he do a great job teaching the subject, he also provides tons of clarity on the finance field as a whole while genuinely caring for his students. If you want to learn and grow as a FIN student, this is the class to take by far. Just a cool, relatable dude you'll learn a lot from.

This is one of my favorite finance classes in college! The materials are very interesting, and Mike throws in some career advice that are super helpful to all students. He also helps you develop some great habits like reading charts and looking at the market, etc. If you want to become an analyst in the future, this class is a must-take!

Mike is hands-down the best professor I had in my 4 years at UW. You will not find a professor with more in-depth and real world knowledge. Mike grades as if you were an analyst working for him, and it really helps to elevate your level of work. He makes you think deeper about why things happen and making connections rather than pure memorization.

Mike is a great example of how former practitioners bring a unique perspective to academia. He's great at explaining tough concepts in plain English so we understand their importance, and he CARES about his students' learning. All the is work worth doing--Mike is trying to prepare you for a job. I highly recommend Finance majors take his course.

Mike designed this class after years of success in the investment world. The content is perhaps the most applicable of all the classes I took at UW. Content straight from the industry designed to set you for success in a finance career. Hes a great guy who wants his students to succeed. Not the easiest class but we came out much more knowledgeable

Mike is one of the best instructors I've ever had. He genuinely invests time and effort into each and every student. I admire him a lot, and he inspired me to push past my limits. This class is like an analyst training program as Mike is a retired CIO & VP at Russell Investments. He gives you real-world experience, and the hard work truly pays off.

Along with Kevin Boeh, Mike is the best professor I have had at UW. The class isn't easy but it isn't supposed to be. He treats it as your future boss would, gives great life tips & advice, and is an overall really good guy and professor. I'm bummed that I wasn't able to take this class in person, but even online it is one of the best classes at UW

One of the best finance classes I took at Foster. Real industry knowledge and great invited guest speakers. If you are interested in investment for job or hobby, take this class!

Hands-down the best Foster class I've taken. Mike is well-respected in the industry and is dedicated to his students. You get out of this class what you put in. He is an incredibly valuable resource and has so much knowledge about asset management and provides unique career advice that you can't get anywhere else.

Do whatever you can to register for this class with Michael Thomas, it's the best class I took at UW by a mile. Interesting course material, clear criteria, career tips/tricks, and engaging conversations with guest speakers. Mike adds so much value as he cares about prepping students for the real world. If I could I would rate this class a 10/5.

Mike is the best professor I've had at UW. He is a professor for all the right reasons and that clearly shows in the time and dedication he puts into the course. He wants every student to succeed but he'll make you work for it. If you want a class that will prepare you for an asset management career, this is it. It's not easy, but well worth it!

One of the top 5 classes I've taken at the UW. Mike does a great job illustrating examples of class content using his personal experiences. He is a very fair grader, pushes his students for success beyond the classroom, notifies us of internship/job opportunities, and has a lot of tough love to give.

Mike is a great teacher! He cares so much about what he teaches, and it really makes you interested in the subject. There is a good amount of work, but it's not unmanageable. Overall, this is one of the most useful classes at UW, and I highly recommend you take it!

The class prepares students for a career in the asset management industry; focusing on connecting coursework to the real world. Lectures feature Mike's expertise and stories, homework is practical and useful, and student expectations are laid out as though the class was a real job. Without a doubt this is the best finance class offered at Foster.

If you want your money's worth at Foster, then I plead with you to take this class! Mike teaches with a level of passion and energy that is hard to come by these days. This class is the furthest thing from easy, but if you want to learn from a true practitioner with decades of experience and knowledge to share, then this class is for you.

Mike's class is an absolute must-take for Foster students. Even on Zoom, Mike's passionate and excitement for asset management is captivating. Lectures are intense, but he breaks them up with hilarious stories and real-life examples. Don't give up - completing FIN 465 was the most rewarding experience I had in college.

Mike's class was one of the hardest I ever took, but it was so well worth it. He approaches his lectures with a level of passion and care that is hard to come by in most classes at Foster. Though the material is challenging, Mike and his TAs are always willing to help you outside the classroom as well if needed. 10/10 recommend taking this class!

FIN 465 is the most interesting and relevant finance class I've taken at Foster. Mike is a great lecturer and his lessons are valuable for anyone looking for a career in finance. This class is not easy, but Mike's effort makes you want to match his hard work.

Hands down the best class of my University experience. Mike is truly an absolute beast. He is legendary in the industry and is a transformational teacher. He clearly cares about the success of the student and pushes everyone to be their best. I learned a ton and enjoyed his lectures. If you're a finance major you MUST take his class. Go Dawgs

Mike's class was easily the best and most informative finance class I have taken at Foster. The workload can get tough at times, but you truly get out what you put in to this class, and it is so worth it.

Mike is a fantastic professor who devotes huge amounts of time and effort to his class. He has extensive experience and connections in finance. If you are a curious person this class is for you, even if you didnt have a particular interest in markets before. One of, if not the, best classes at Foster.

I have never reviewed any classes on rate my professor, but I had to take the time to create an account to write a review about this one. FIN 465 was very challenging but well worth it if your interested in any career in finance. The material is great and the first-hand lessons learned are invaluable. The first months on the job become much easier.

Nearly everyone I've talked to has said that this is their favorite class they've taken at Foster. This class offers a lot that can be applied to any career or anyone's personal finances. Mike has a genuine interest in helping students and is able to add a lot from his experience in the industry. Requires a lot of work, but well worth it.

Mike is the best professor I had at the University of Washington. His class, while difficult, is packed with real-world material that is directly applicable to the Asset Management industry. Mike had an impressive career in the industry and passes on invaluable career knowledge that is relevant to any career path.

He is the best professor I have ever had at UW. Please take his course, and you will not regret for your decision.

Best class I've ever taken. Mike is great at giving feedback on assignments and tests. Grades were streamlined, and available for students to view within a week. Lecture was always interesting. Mike's experience in the industry shines through, making concepts and theories have actual applications that are utilized throughout the course.

Mike's the GOAT! Highly recommend taking his class if you are considering going into finance for a career. The amount you learn about asset management but also about life long investing experience is crucial and I think his class should be a required course to take for the finance major discipline.

FIN 465 with Mike was easily one of the best classes I've taken at Foster. He talks about wanting to help students "shift into the next gear" and that's exactly what he does. A lot of practical application and building your intuition about the industry. He's got high expectations for students but if you engage with the material, you'll do fine.

The class is great preparation for a career post-grad, especially if you want to work in the asset management industry. Make sure you strive for BEAST MODE!

Lectures are meaningful and engaging. Mike brings a lot of real-world experience and will prepare you for a career in the finance industry. Cares about his students and genuinely wants to see you succeed. Put in the time and effort and you'll get a lot out of his class. Best course I've taken at UW Foster.

Great lectures, even better professor. Mike really cares about his students learning. He will constantly ask students how they feel about a topic and actually listens to what they have to say. The content of this class is no joke, come prepared to learn. This class is by far the best class I've taken at Foster. Get ready to start cooking!

Even though I don't plan to go into asset management, FIN 465 was easily the best class I've taken at Foster and is very applicable to personal investing. Mike really challenges you to connect concepts together and think deeper about the topics discussed. He truly cares about perfecting his class and making it as useful to students as possible.

Strap in for Fin 465, one of the most devilishly challenging and profoundly rewarding classes offered at Foster. Mike Thomas has concentrated his decades of experience in Asset Management into ten weeks of rigorous hands-on learning. He holds himself and his students to a high bar, setting students up to become tenacious, world-class analysts.

Michael was the most involved, caring, and passionate professor I have ever had. It was evident throughout the quarter that he not only cares about teaching a great class but also cares about his students' success in careers and life. I love his "pay-it-forward" mentality in helping others.

Mike is great. Constantly reflects on and refines his style of delivering the course material. The biggest problem with his class is his TAs. Some of the TAs are not strictly qualified and the quality of their work is not consistent. This should not prevent you from taking this class with Mike though being said. Stay proactive and you will do fine

Mike Thomas is hands down the best professor in all of Foster. He truly cares about his students and wants to see you succeed. His industry experience and approach to the content makes this class x100 more valuable than any other academic approach based class you could take. Although this class is a lot of work, hands down best class I have taken.

Best professor at Foster. You'll learn years of knowledge in 10 weeks. Mike has decades of high-level industry experience and you'll feel like a mini asset manager after you finish his class. Every lecture feels like a TED Talk. Tough exams and homework but he will help you find a version of yourself you didn't know existed.

Professor Thomas is by far the best professor I have had at the UW. He cares about his students a lot. He genuinely wants you to succeed and pushes you to get truly understand concepts. This is a tough class, don't get me wrong, but it's hard because professor Thomas is getting you ready for a real career in Asset Management.

Mike is hands down the best professor at Foster. The work you'll put into the class (while considerable) is nothing compared to what you'll get out of it. Beyond just his astute & intimate knowledge of the industry, it is exceedingly clear that he cares deeply for his students. It was an absolute privilege to be in his class; I'll never forget it.

Professor Thomas does an excellent job of pushing his students to their next gear and communicating difficult topics effectively. I was blown away by the level of intentionality he puts into each lecture and the material covered is genuinely interesting, even if you are not entering the asset management industry. The best Foster class I have taken.

Mike is well respected in the industry and has a passion to give back to students which shines through in his lectures. I find myself connecting the dots between lessons from his class and articles I am reading, podcasts I am listening to and conversations I am having which proves that the rigor and effort required for this class is all worth it!

This class is unlike any other Foster class where he truly equips students with knowledge that is directly used in the industry. It is a class every finance major should take because the skills learned are applicable to every job. The class pushes you to think on another level, but the takeaways gained are invaluable and worth it.

Not only is the material extremely helpful, but he is someone that pushes his students to become better people in general. His passion is contagious and his knowledge about the industry is immense. It's a difficult class, but the harder you push yourself the more you'll get out of it. Best class I've taken at the UW by a mile.

Mike is my favorite professor/teacher I have had at any level of education. Never seen someone put so much effort into his students, he goes above and beyond to prepare you for the real world. He teaches not only about finance, but what it takes to be a highly successful individual in whatever domain his students are most passionate about. 12/10!