K. J. Gilchrist - Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Professor: K. J. Gilchrist

Department: English

College: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are interesting, show up to class or else he fails you. Tests are pretty hard/written to confuse you so make sure to study from all angles.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL226
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoyed him as a professor. Content was not too difficult and if you come to class, you'll pass the class. He really knows his stuff.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL226
• 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:

It's a traditional survey course for English majors and his grading/policies are pretty rigid. If you do the readings, pay attention to his lectures, and are good at answering multiple choice questions his tests are easy. The group project is a pain. He's sarcastic and funny and very knowledgeable but puts his foot in his mouth every so often.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

After talking to people in other sections, he seems to be the toughest teacher for ENG 302. When you ask him a question, his answer is always, "it's in the syllabus (or book)." Must wrote memos (most not even graded) several times a week. Takes attendance every day. Smart guy, but can be arrogant and rude sometimes.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG302
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There's a lot of writing for this class because it is about writing professional business documents. That being said 3 out of 6 assignments can be revised for up to 10% of your grade back (original 85%, bumped up to 95%). He's a tough, but fair grader and is open to answering questions. He'll warm up to you more if you show up and participate.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL225
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't take attendance, but you need to go to class if you want to do well. There is a research project and three tests. As long as you dedicate time to reading and taking notes, you'll be fine. He gives random quizzes that really affect your grade, so take notes on everything!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL225
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Go to class. Sit up front. Consistently raise your hand and participate: even if you say the wrong answer, the brief embarrassment is worth the participation points. Find a study group early on - you'll do much better on tests. Lots of readings, fantastic lectures. If you are willing to work hard, you will learn so much and it will pay off.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH225
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This will be a class you're excited to go to but, this course is more difficult than the ave. 200 level: lots of readings, impossible pop-quizzes, and fast paced. However, If you are willing to put the time and effort in--it will be worth it. I learned so much during this class and the lectures were amazing. You must be invested to take this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG302
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Way too much work for one class. Every little assignment turns into a project. Take this class with someone else.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL225
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gilchrist is not my favorite, but he's not awful. His tests are really hard and are worth a lot of points in the class. His pop quizzes are confusing, even if you read for class. SO MUCH READING

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is very knowledgable on what he teaches, but he knows it and isn't afraid to show it. He can be helpful but you have to be careful because sometimes it can confuse you even more. Throughout the semester it just felt like we were playing his little games just to get by and pass the class rather than learning the course materials.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG302
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the hardest grader I have come across. He loves to talk about himself and thinks he is funny. His sense of humor annoys me the wrong way and never lets up.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 226
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There is a ton of reading. If you keep up, you'll do ok. His overuse of puns and bad jokes distracts from the actual learning. He knows his stuff and engages students but be prepared to go off topic. Insightful class with good information.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL226
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Expect to read a lot, pretend this is the ONLY class you are taking, it should be 5 credits and not 3 based on difficulty, what he covers in class is irrelevant to quizzes. Ignore the instructor in class and just read the book. However you MUST be in class because quizzesexams can't be made up. Sticks to syllabus, harsh grader.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He honestly is a pretty good prof, but he certainly acts like he is the most important of them all. His rules are firmly set and he is a stickler about them (if you are late to class, it's best to not even go). His lectures are all over the place so it's hard to be sure what is test content and what isn't, but he knows the most interesting things.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wasn't bad. He's the king of puns. Be prepared to read a lot. Essential to get the book before the class starts. He is set on his rules and won't give leeway, not necessarily bad but can be frustrating.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't take a class from this guy. He has a thing for WW1 and the holocaust. Most depressing class I have ever taken. Unless your into that sort of thing

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gilchrist is very knowledgable in the subject and that's obvious from the start. Read materials pretty extensively. He jumps around in notes a lot which makes things difficult. Review days are extremely helpful. Everything on the tests is something that he has hammered into your head all semester long

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor is very interesting and helpful. Attending his courses is like listening to commentary on a documentary- very interesting and entertaining. He is a stickler for MLA format, but it is easy because he will go over everything with you if you ask. He makes works that are easily very tedious and boring fun and relatable.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG302
• 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:

Coming into class, I disliked English; Dr. Gilchrist changed that. He was very professional and knowledgeable. I learned so much from this course that I can apply to my career. He comes off as a hard-ass at first, but is really a great prof, who wants you to succeed!