Elaine Ostry - SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY

Professor: Elaine Ostry

Department: English

College: SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: A11ENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Genuinely cares about her students. Gives a lot of work, but also allows for a "day of grace" if you don't get your work done on time. Seems like a lot of work at first but it's very manageable. The more you get to know her the better she is. IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO GO ON A STRATFORD TRIP WITH HER, TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY. Great woman, fav professor

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG196
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ostry is an amazing professor who is very knowledgeable about what she is teaching. Although she does give out quite a bit of essays, she gives us a reasonable amount of time to do it. She offers help during her office hours so you can go to her to look over your paper. It is important to follow her rubrics if you want a good grade.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG461
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is not the easiest grader, and this class had a lot of reading and substantial assignments. But, the books were generally very good, and this professor has a truly bright mind and enjoys what she teaches. I found that I had to work particularly hard in order to do well, but it was worth it. I think it depends on what you want out of a class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG461
• 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. Ostry is an absolute blessing. She genuinely cares about her students and teaching. This is the second class I have taken with her, and, with her guidance, I have become a much better writer. She's picky because she *knows* her students' capabilities. I would recommend taking at least one class with her especially if you're an English major.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG196
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Definitely my favorite class of the fall 2018 semester. She was challenging but amazing. Highly knowledgeable. 10/10

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Elaine Ostry is probably the toughest professor for an 100 level class. If you're taking her, expect there to be a lot of homework that's due every class. She takes grading very seriously, and will check your sources used for papers. She will not let you out of class early, and does not cancel class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG196
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Pop Quiz nearly every class. She is very smart and friendly. But is an overly tough grader. On papers, she really takes the rubric to heart. My grades ranged from A+ to C-, so not very consistent. Don't get me wrong, she knows her stuff. But while I got lower marks, other teachers gave me B's - A's. She seems to be the misnomer in that case.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG195
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Ostry is a precious gift from above. Yeah, it can be said she's a tough grader, but she's like that to benefit her students. If you put the effort in and actually take her criticisms seriously, you'll get A's on your papers. She's always in a good mood and makes class so enjoyable. What a rad lady.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 195
• 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:

While she may be useful to some I didn't find her a very good teacher for me. She grades very harshly and it seems that she's never satisfied with your work. But despite this she is thorough with what she decides to teach. If you're going to take a class with her be prepared to have time to put into all your work or you'll be highly disappointed

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG338
• 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:

The only thing you need to know about Dr. Ostry is that she is the only English professor in the department that grades using rubrics. She is nit picky and very harsh. Good person, bad professor.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG461
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

a LOT of work but the stories we read are not boring. Do not miss class and you should do well. A lot of group discussion and you stay the whole three hours. She's really funny in a quirky way and super nice. Do the work on time and you will have good experience.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG196ENG461
• 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:

English students sound ridiculous if you complain about professors who are tough graders on writing/grammar. That's what your major is. Aside from that, she is always open to help you, look over your essay before it's due, understanding when personal conflicts arise, as long as you're an honest student. One of the best professors in the dpt.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Her classes seem easy, but she's never satisfied with students writing. I would never suggest anyone to take her course.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGALL
• 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:

Tough grader at first. Went to every office hour.She is a PHENOMENAL writer PERSON,and teacher. She helped me develop my outer voice. Best teacher I ever had. I enjoyed every minute of class and ACTUALLY learned something. Sure she's tough, but she's tough for a reason.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG461
• 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:

Ostry is an absolute sweetheart. She is very interested in what she teaches and loves talking about books. Always makes note when students bring new ideas to the table. Assignments are fun and books are enjoyable. Always available during office hours for help with essay writing. If you seek her help, it's hard to not get an A.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG449
• 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:

I love how when I try and actually read the books she assigns, she over grades and I get the lowest scores in my history of writing BUT when I BS the final (mostly essay writing) and don't read half the books she assigns for it I pass with an A. I highly question her grading. Very unhelpful and arrogant, too. Nice person outside of academics.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG195
• 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:

She has a genuine interest in her area of study but unfortunately, this backfires. Because of her strong opinions on how things should be interpreted or written, she harshly grades grammar and has her own rules on citation. She is so opinionated, she marked my usage of "want" in an essay as wrong and corrected it with "desire" instead.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG461
• 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:

(and ENG 195) Serious about being an ENG major? You must take a class with Dr. Ostry. Yes, she's a hard grader and picky about grammar. But she's all of this because she genuinely wants you to get something out of your education. She's more than willing to proof read papers before the due date. Do this, you will get a better grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHILDLIT
• 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:

Are you Canadian? No? Then you'll fail this course. Totally self-absorbed, picks favorites, and does not care about any other students.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG461
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult. She focuses too much on grammar, not enough on effort. If you don't agree with her you won't do well in this class. If you stay on her good side and proof read your papers at least three times you'll do well. I do not recommend her if you are below junior level. Read the texts very carefully several times. Good luck.