frumnotyeshivish: No, “not the most helpful” does not mean “futile;” however, your context definitely suggested as much. And yes, I like to do that quite often, but I’m being serious now (maybe). But if you think my understanding is false, then why don’t you endeavor to correct it?
Anyway, as someone who went to an “academic” seminary and has looked into numerous “academic” seminaries, I can assure you that that is really the only useful criterion to judge upon.