Sandra Alcosser - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Professor: Sandra Alcosser

Department: English

College: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG750
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was lucky enough to have Professor Sandra Alcosser for the Graduate Poetry Workshop. I went into the class with no confidence, and I thought, no ability. From day one, Professor Alcosser was there with her unique ability to make one feel like they had an important voice in the conversation, and if lost, she would help to light the way. Thank you.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG750P
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Alcosser is a very nice person, but unfortunately I feel as though I learned very little from her about poetry. She talks about poetry in very abstract, almost mystical ways, and her lectures can be rambling and directionless. Most of class is spent simply critiquing other students' work, and her own feedback on my poetry was often minimal.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG760
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Sandra is the teacher who becomes your mentor & adviser. She is truly passionate about her work & cares about her students. During conferences she not only gives great feedback about your writing, but takes the time to talk about your future plans and goals. Because of Sandra, many doors of opportunity became available as a scholar and writer.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG750
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I cannot stress enough what a wonderful, enlightened, and professional guide Sandra has been in my writing journey.She gave time and energy,and meticulous line editing to my work. Without her help and knowledgeable guidance, I would have never have had my work published. I owe it all to her.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POET750
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

rambling, vague, disinterested, and these are her good qualities. Also she straight up refuses to keep office hours. It makes me mad that I paid money to be brushed off all semester.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MFA999
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You will not find a more intelligent, engaging, dedicated educator. She elevates.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG630
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sandra is in tune with the world--spiritually, physically, linguistically--and she will helps you discover your deeper creative self. She is a brilliant poet, just google her and see how many thousands of credits she has to her name!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG630
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

There are 2 reasons to get an MFA in poetry at SDSU instead of somewhere else. Sandra is one of them (the other, Ilya). She knows everything about poetry and knows how to direct students toward just what they need in terms of form/theory & connecting to the "4000 year conversation" that is poetry. I took 630 w/her 3 times b/c I loved every minute

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG799
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sandra is the best of professors, a wise and well-informed participant in the poetry community, and an insightful critic. I learned tremendously from every conversation we had, both in the classroom and outside of it. She brought a considerable store of knowledge to her our work on my thesis and moved my poetry forward significantly.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL630
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sandra has an encyclopedic knowledge of poetry, a gifted artist's sensibility and vision, and the wisdom and generous discipleship of Socrates. Her class was exactly what I needed to redirect and fuel my own writing, and I am surpassingly grateful for her excellent instruction. Any serious poet would benefit tremendously from studying with Sandra.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL750P
• 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:

An excellent professor. Extremely knowledgeable about poetry, open to different styles, focuses on helping the student make it the best poem possible, encourages students to embrace poetry and its calling. An enthusiastic supporter who cares about her students and their success. Would definitely take her class again.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL799
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thesis chair, working with her was a wonderful experience. Reading suggestions and feedback were instrumental in the development of my manuscript. Has really helped me prepare for life post-degree as well. An incredible professor and a top-notch person. I'd give her many more than the five-stars allotted here.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL630
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Treacherous. Derides publishing over university teaching unless she thinks you aren't any good, then says it's for you but gives a rec letter so bad, it's sabotage. I was one of her favorites. If you're not, expect her to not have pre-read your work & to be very late for your meetings-if you can get one. The clock's ticking, & she doesn't hide it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL750P
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think it would be impossible to find a better professor to lead workshop. She's open to everyone's style--and pushes you towards improving your writing no matter what your voice is like. What I like most is that she encourages you to become part of a community of writers--not just in the workshop itself--but in the world. A wonderful professor!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG750
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Passionate about her craft. If you aspire to write, she both inspires and helps in the development of your own unique voice. A wonderful person in addition to being a top notch professor, a fact which contributes to the rich nature of her class experience.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG750P
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sandra is knowing and cares deeply about poetry, its subjects, and its purveryors. We have been blessed with her wisdom and wealth of experience as a writer and reader of poetry. She works hard to find your voice and foster its growth with many suggested readings, encouragements, as well as actively participates in helping you achieve your goals.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The best thing Alcosser does, in my opinion, is to help her students advance professionally. She does not leave you with your poems or your stories in your hands; she helps you to prepare them for publication. She also suggests places a student might publish. She is a true professional.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH750P
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Sandra Alcosser is extremely knowledgeable in all areas concerning poetry--including the craft, history, and politics of the form. She is open to different styles (I've had workshop professors who were not) which makes her a good choice no matter your school of thought. She truly cares about her student's success as writers.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 750P
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class twice. The prof. was outstanding--knowledgeable, interested and inspiring. Your poems will be better and your criticism sharper when you finish this course. Sandra A. has an almost magical ability to draw out the best work from poets of varying styles and abilities. She also is a great choice as a thesis advisor. Take this course.