Wendy Allen - St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN

Professor: Wendy Allen

Department: Languages

College: St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FR232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She expects you to reiterate exactly what she says on essays and tests - rather than stating an opinion or phrase of your own, you will get knocked off for speaking independently. Even if you studied abroad in France for a year in high school and are hence very proficient. Most frustrating class I have ever taken here.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FREN251
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Alan was by far my favorite Prof at Olaf. She scared me so much freshman year but then once I figured out how much she cared about each student and the subject I loved her. All you have to do is show her you are willing to work hard and put in the necessary effort. She cares a lot more about how hard you try to understand than anything else.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FR231
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Allen was one of the most intimidating profs I've ever had, especially in the first few weeks, but what she wants the most is for her students to succeed. She doesn't curve very much, but the class is memorization heavy. Listen, take notes, and spit it all back at her. She ended up being my favorite prof at Olaf, though, and is very supportive.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FR232
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Wendy Allen definitely made me question being a French major; I dreaded coming to class the first few weeks. That being said, she basically just wants you to memorize key phrases & spit them back at her in class & on tests. Oral interviews are incredibly intimidating, but when she corrects you, just agree with her-- she likes to be authoritative.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FR232
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

She was the worst professor I've had at St. Olaf.; she threatened to crucify my class. Steer clear.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FR232
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I worked so hard for this classI spent so much of my time studying and doing the ridiculous amounts of homework she assigned, and only ended up with a B+. I got As on every test, quiz, and homework assignment and she still gave me a B+. Also, we had to buy an expensive textbook that we used ONCE. Ugh. I would not recommend taking a class with her

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FR232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I got A's on EVERYTHING, and I ended up with a B+ in the class. I worked my butt off for this super stressful class, and I was so disappointed that she didn't give me a higher grade. That being said, she is good if you go talk to her one on one, but she's really scary and intimidating to talk to. Would not recommend taking french with her.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Would not advise her to anyone. If you have the opportunity to take french with other teachers, do it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 372
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class during the spring 2015 and to be honest it was horrible. Wendy is someone who has a good knowledge of her material but her grading did not make sense to me at all. She gave me zeros for participation grade on days I was sick (with justified absence) and despite the fact that I got mostly As, she gave me a B+. would not take again!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FREN251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

At the beginning of the semester I was convinced I didn't like her, but she was actually a really great prof! She works you hard, that's for sure, and make SURE you follow her guidelines. She has clear expectations, and even though she sets the bar high she's always available for help (even if it's phrased a little harshly).

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 4556
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor belittles students who don't understand her teaching methods. She is of the opinion that if you have questions or are stuck on something it is due to your own inferior abilities and not her horrid teaching. She talks about how terrible students are behind their backs and is essentially a professor who doesn't care about anyone.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 273
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Those taking her lower level classes and are just trying to get through the requirement will find her expectations high. However you will never find a prof who cares more about her students. She''s the reason I stayed in school through family disaster and she pushed me past competent to proficient and fostered my love for the language and culture.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FREN231
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She shouts information at you and when one on one can be very rude. She doesn't explain things well and assumes if you aren't understanding the material then you aren't trying and then yells at you for putting no effort in even if you are. Ridiculously high expectations and is not helpful if you ask for help. She makes you feel stupid and inferior.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FR231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The subjects are interesting, but the class is mostly writing and memorization. She clearly knows the subject well, but her expectations start high and only get higher. She's incredibly intimidating, and loves to stare students down.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FREN231A
• 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:

Madame Allen is a really good teacher. She is the head of the French department and has a lot of experience teaching French. It can be difficult at times, but she is very helpful.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FREN231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great prof. Definitely really hard, but if you go into office hours she will help you understand anything you don't get. Works very hard for her students!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FR231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is tough, but will help you a lot. She shows a true interest in her students and teaching with the philosophy of St. Olaf college.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FR373
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher and great advisor. I have never met a professor so devoted to helping her students. Sure, she's tough, but in a good way. As for regurgitating classwork, she only wants you to retain key points and to use proper french. Many students are only capable of this by repeating what she said. Otherwise, she encourages original thinking.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FREN232
• 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:

Allen is one of the best professors I've ever had. It is true that the class isn't easy (I'm surprised this is a criterion to rate the prof. If classes were meant to be easy, we'd all have A's and wouldn't learn much). She isn't intimating at all. She just has a "no BS" attitude.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FRNCH231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's intimidating at first but she only is because she wants to help you. Write down EVERYTHING because she wants things worded exactly how she said it in class on the exams. The material was really interesting and she pushes you to learn it but it's worth it in the end. Exams are written and oral. The oral exams are the most intimidating part.