One of CSUN’s English teachers has been listed this year on ratemyprofessor.com’s list of the top 25 professors at universities across the U.S.

Dr. Evelyn McClave is a professor of English and linguistics and the coordinator of the linguistics program here at CSUN. She was listed as No. 13 in the 2010-11 list.

Ratemyprofessors.com is owned by MTVU, the college-based part of MTV. It allows users to rate their teachers according to helpfulness, clarity, easiness, and hotness.

The annual top professor rating is based on the “overal quality” section, which is an average of helpfulness and clarity. “Hotness” was listed as a bonus category.

When asked to comment on the story, McClave declined.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to decline. The reason is that that site really isn’t a scientific survey. It doesn’t reflect the official evaluations done here at Cal State Northridge,” McClave said.

According to the ratemyprofessors.com press release, for the first time this year campuses were also rated in a top 25 list. Professors with 30 or more reviews are ranked according to the best reviews, with more weight put on more recent years.

Junior Kimberly McClelland has taken English 301 and 302 with McClave.

“I think she’s awesome,” said the 20-year-old liberal studies student. “She does a really good job covering the material. It’s not easy but she makes it really understandable to learn.”

For more info on how the top professors are decided, check out http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/methodology.jsp for their methodolgy.

Ratings can serve as both recommendations and warnings. Some teachers are rated low on the “easiness” scale, which can be discouraging for potential students. However, users will also give tips on how to pass the class like showing up to class and taking notes.

An anonymous reviewer wrote  that McClave was a good teacher because she takes the time to explain the material to her students and warned them to show up class.

“Wonderful teacher! She really gets into her lectures. If you don’t understand something she stops to make sure you do. Her class is fun, and interesting! Make sure you show up! She doesn’t take attendance, but if you miss a class it’s terribly hard to catch up.”