Holly Deak

Semester not recorded

Amazing at explaining difficult concepts in a way that makes sense. I hated general chemistry but loved organic chem. Professor Deak is extremely committed to being available for her students and holds frequent office hours. You can meet with her individually too - she always manages to find time.

Semester not recorded

Orgo is the worst class ever. But if you have to take it, you want Holly Deak as your professor. She is very dedicated to students doing well and will meet with you 1 on 1 to help you out. She's probably the smartest person I have ever met, and she's also very kind. Exams are insanely hard and you will hate your life but somehow it ends up fine.

Semester not recorded

Amazing professor!! But very hard class and exams. She is very accessible outside of class and makes an effort to learn everyone's name. Get ready to study a lot and do a lot of practice in order to get a good grade.

Semester not recorded

Orgo is difficult no matter who you take it with, but Deak tries to make it as clear as possible and makes herself extremely available outside of lectures. Her exams are hard, but your lowest gets dropped and there's a good curve. Genuinely one of the kindest and most dedicated professors I've had.

Semester not recorded

Tough one to rate. She is a very devoted prof and pushes you to master orgo: extra discussion sessions on Fridays, accessible outside office hours, and lots of extra practice. Respect, but that means classes and tests are psychotically intense and hard to the point that orgo looms over you 24/7. Sorry but objectively, I have other priorities too.

Semester not recorded

Best professor I've ever had. Lectures are incredibly clear for such a difficult topic, exams are very difficult (averages in 50s/60s) but crazy curve is applied at the end. Lets you drop an exam and a quiz. Discussions and office hours are very important, they're basically extra lecture time. Has the most insane memory I've ever seen.

Semester not recorded

Prof. Deak is wonderful!! She goes quick during lecture and the course content is obviously difficult but she is very accessible for office hours and cares about students doing well. Cannot say enough good things about her!

Semester not recorded

Professor Deak is the best chemistry professor at Boston College. She is extremely organized and makes time to meet individually with her students if they ask to meet with her. The class will be difficult if you do not go to her office hours and meet with her about quizzes and tests. Overall amazing teacher that I'd recommend to any STEM student.

Semester not recorded

Takes the time to learn all 100+ of her students names. Extremely organized lectures and assignments. Only complaint about the class is the solutions manual is incredibly unhelpful, but that's not her issue. Organic Chemistry sucks just a bit less with her :)

Semester not recorded

Organic chem is a difficult class in general but Professor Deak makes it significantly better through her clear lecturing and availability outside of class. She wants her students to do well and has many office hours to ensure that this will happen. The tests and quizzes are difficult and worth most of your grade, but the questions are fair.

Semester not recorded

Difficult class, but Deak is an angel on earth

Semester not recorded

Best professor to take such a difficult class with. She has a lot of office hours every week and always makes time for students. Definitely recommend taking this class with Professor Deak if you can

Semester not recorded

Organic chemistry is extremely difficult, but Prof Deak made it so much more manageable. Office hours are extremely helpful and she always makes herself accessible for questions. Probably the best STEM professor at BC and definitely recommend taking her class.

Semester not recorded

Deak is absolutely amazing! She truly cares about her students and wants them to succeed in a notoriously tough subject. Definitely take her if you must take Orgo!!

Semester not recorded

Orgo is a notoriously hard course, but Professor Deak does all she can to allow students to succeed. Office hours are super helpful.

Semester not recorded

Prof Deak is very helpful and presents good lectures. Office hours are also very good!

Semester not recorded

Professor Deak is by far one of the best STEM professors at BC. Yes, the class is difficult. But students are given so many resources- 1:1 meetings, office hours, review sessions, etc. All goes to show Prof. Deak invests a lot of time in her students because she wants them to succeed. 10/10 teacher, made such an intimidating class manageable!!

Semester not recorded

Professor Deak is the best Orgo professor at BC! She is one of the most caring professors I have ever had, making sure she knows each student individually by their name. She also is extremely available outside of class, always hosting helpful office hours and 1 on 1 meetings willing to help other students. Challenging exams but amazing teacher.

Semester not recorded

Prof Deak is kind and understanding. If you go to office hours and do her review problems you will do well in the course. The class is very difficult but she is by far the best orgo professor at BC

Semester not recorded

It's organic chemistry, so naturally, it's going to be a very difficult class, but Professor Deak is the most helpful, caring and down to earth person I have ever met. Her one on one office hours are beyond helpful and she really wants to see her students succeed. She does teach at an EXTREMELY fast pace, so don't get behind

Semester not recorded

She is the kindest person and always willing to answer questions over e-mail, during office hours, or meet 1-on-1. She even held an in-person review session on a Sunday night. She knows so many people's names and really gets to know her students. Still an incredibly difficult and fast-paced course, but she makes it as manageable as possible!

Semester not recorded

While Organic Chemistry was the hardest class I've taken in my life, Professor Deak made it bearable. I really enjoyed her lectures. She's a really nice person and will try to learn your name even in a large lecture hall. Her tests are extremely challenging, but that shouldn't be surprising for this class. Highly recommend her.

Semester not recorded

Professor Deak made organic chemistry I so much easier than it actually is. Her office hours are so helpful. Once you get to know how she works on exams and quizzes it gets easier. She cares so much about her students and really wants you to succeed. She was probably the best Professor Ive had at BC so far.

Semester not recorded

She's harder than most professors when it comes to Orgo exam questions but she's a very nice woman and is always available for help outside of class. However, I do wish that she didn't go through half a chapter in a single 50 min class period.

Semester not recorded

I had her for Organic Chemistry I, and am planning on sticking with her for Organic Chemistry II. The course is crazy hard and she goes REALLY quickly but she is available outside of class w/ frequent office hours (albeit at 8am) and meetings 1:1. Don't fall behind in this class... you will end up withdrawing. She's really sweet but not easy at all

Semester not recorded

Find another prof

Semester not recorded

very nice person who cares about students

Semester not recorded

Class is really non interactive. I know it's Zoom U but I'd like to see more effort

Semester not recorded

She's a great professor and I would definitely recommend taking her class!

Semester not recorded

I recommend somebody else. Switching profs is annoying and she seems less open then other profs at BC. Kind of rude at times when you need extra help.

Semester not recorded

She makes a boring topic interesting by doing demonstrations in lecture. She is very helpful 1 on 1 and is willing to go over whatever you need. She gives you plenty of practice problems that prepare you for the test. She makes a genuine effort to get to know her students, even in a large lecture.