Bill Oliver - Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA

Professor: Bill Oliver

Department: English

College: Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: WRIT100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Bill was the hardest grader I've ever had in my life. Would bring papers in to get help, he would give suggestions but then mark me down on the very suggestions he made. Never helped me become a better writer in my "writ" class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL293
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Oliver is very nice. I thought he was super helpful and learned a lot from his creative writing class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL293
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class was relatively low outside work for a spring term lit class. Dr. Oliver was extremely helpful during office hours and was very passionate about the material. Fair grader and fun class!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: WRIT100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Oliver is by far the best writing instructor I've had. The discussions are fantastic, and he grades fairly. His short essay quizzes may be hard at first, but go to office hours and he'll make sure you understand what to do

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: WRITING101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

GO TO OFFICE HOURS FOR EVERY TAKE HOME PAPER! fun class awesome material but you wont do well if you dont go to office hours.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: WRITING100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This class was titled "rebels, misfits, and outcasts." The reading were very good- he loves short stories. Writing quizzes about once a week in class and 4 papers per term. He is a tough grader on papers. Most people in the class come out with a B. Although it was hard work, this was one of my favorite classes. Worth taking

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 388
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Oliver is great. Although he is somewhat dull and very odd you'll like him. Work hard, and you'll make an A. Invites students to his house. Considered making him my honors thesis advisor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL293
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class was a mixed bag, I was expecting more freshmen for a 200 level but it ended up being a lot of senior english majors killing time, so my essays were read next to those (not helpful for a science major). Office hours were very helpful though. Discussion-based classes are tolerable but lecture-based classes are unbearably boring.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: WRIT100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

LOVE this guy. Take him for sure. Office hours are incredibly helpful.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL293
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a nice guy and means well. Class can drag and at times he is unclear with directions. When you see him in his office he really tries to help you, but otherwise pretty dull. Nice guy though

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL293
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great teacher. Makes class discussions enjoyable and definitely provides a wealth of knowledge. Attendance is mandatory and in-class writings are frequent, but he does not grade them too hard. Overall a great teacher with superior knowledge and a desire to help.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: WRIT101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Easily my favorite professor. Great guy and a great teacher. He is very helpful especially if you go in to talk to him about a paper. If you speak up in class and talk to him about your papers an A is easy.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LIT293
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I've taken Oliver twice and he is the man without a doubt. He's incredibly kind and loves you if you speak up in class. Take notes and use them in your essays and go see him for office hours and you shouldn't have trouble getting an A- if you write pretty well. One of the genuinely nicest people at W & L, cool ass dude

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: AABB101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing teacher, very interesting, if you pay attention in class you will do well. make sure to do well on the first paper cause the grades seem to reflect the very first grade all semester long.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL293B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Some people think he's boring or monotonous, but I thought his class was really interesting, and he seemed to genuinely enjoy teaching the material. The essays were pretty easy if writing is your thing, but if you're more of a science or math person, it could be difficult. He likes the people who speak up in class and have something relevant to say

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: WRIT100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great teacher

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGL105G
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

the reading load is extremely light for an English class. he's nice. The only right answer is his answer, so take notes of what he says in class and its not too bad. He is a harsh grader otherwise, so make sure you agree with him. I liked the class

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG105B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Don't under any circumstances take this class. The professor is terrible. He grades incredibly harshly. There is a quiz almost every day and it is literally impossible to get any thing higher than an A- on them. You basically can't answer his questions in any way other than the one that he thinks is right.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG105H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not a ton of reading, but the few books we did read we talked about for 15 minutes and then moved on. Very little analysis, essays were not graded too harshly, but class was dry. If you want to sleep through class, do it in class, and not out of class, he marks down for absences and tardiness like it was his job....

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took his class fall semester freshman year. he is boring, unapproachable to the point of making you feel as though you're wasting his time, harsh grader. definitely will NOT be taking another of his courses. what a ****.